shino and ekmeros

[7:15 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Shino brought Ekmeros through the guest building, pausing in front of the door with his name on it. "Ah, here you are. Seems you've got three other roommates." He hummed. "Do you need anything else before I go?" @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[7:21 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Honestly, Ekmeros would not have found this place as fast as Shino had led him here. "Thank you, Shino." He read the name plate and nodded as he recognised exactly one name. The person who had made eye contact with him across the bench. "I should be fine, thank you very much. And thank you, for enduring my viol talk. I got ahead of myself."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:22 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"You're welcome." Shino said. "And it's no matter, I quite enjoyed hearing about it. I hope you have a pleasant rest of your afternoon." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[7:24 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros gently bowed his head to Shino. "I hope you have a good afternoon as well."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:24 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Thank you! I hope to see you at the gala!" Shino smiled, returned the bow, and started back down the hallway. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[7:26 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros quietly waited for Shino to leave - in case anything happened in the hallway during that very short walk - before he finally headed inside. Yay.

old folks friendship

[12:10 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Right partition, left bed. Closest to the door. Just in case. Ekmeros set his stuff down - smaller things that wouldn't make mess on the bed, larger things that he wouldn't risk on the floor - and laid out his plan. He didn't have too much. always having to pack light, and the viol stayed strapped against his back as he worked, but he couldn't start there. They had to stay in a tidy pile so he wouldn't trip while he cleaned.

The room was already clean enough, but he needed something to do and his desperation for something, although emotionally suppressed, led him to nitpick. No one else was in the room yet. Free reign. So Ekmeros picked at the slightest flaw, the smallest thing out of order, and set it right. He'd know the layout of the entire room by the time he was done, committed to memory. And he was quiet as he worked - the best work was done unbeknownst to others.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:23 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto made his way to the room without any hurry. He glanced at the names on the plaque, and was happy he recognized one. Once inside, he looked around, and carefully opened the door to the right section of the place, ducking his head in each doorway.

"Hello?" he called out, and once he peeked in and saw the bard, he smiled happily.

"Oh hi Ekmeros! Funny we ended up roommates. Do you mind if I take this other bed?" he gestured to the right bed. He didn't seem to realize or remember, that he had been a lot less hairy when the two had first met. Whether or not the other would recognize him didn't cross his mind.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:36 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was so focused on making sure that his bed was perfectly made that he didn't notice Taisto entering until he spoke. He jumped slightly but recognised the voice, not looking up. Yet. "Hello Taisto. You are free to, our other roommates are not here yet. I am just cleaning." Yep. He was.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:38 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Nice! I wonder what they are like. I haven't had roommates before", he chuckled, and brought himself and his rucksack in.

"Whoa, it's so neat and clean here", he admired.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:45 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Mm." Ekmeros didn't respond to the part about not having roommates before. I guess Taisto will never know. "It was quite clean here already, I'm just making sure." He turned to make sure that Taisto's existence wasn't making anything untidy, then spotted... well. Taisto's new form. He narrowed his eyes and seemed to study him, before finally speaking, "Do you shed?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:52 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto was looking around the room and how Ekmeros had arranged everything, and turned to smile at him when the tiefling turned to look at him. His smile dimmed some when Ekmeros' eyes narrowed, and it disappeared briefly when he asked his question. Then, his eyes seemed to light with realization.

"Oh! No, I don't shed at all. You don't need to be worried about allergies either", he assured with a wave of his hand(paw?). Don't worry about Taisto's fur, Ekmeros. Someone else in this room might shed, though.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:56 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Good. Fur can be annoying to clean." He was very matter-of-fact about the situation, and soon turned back around to continue, now gently sweeping the desk off with one hand, catching whatever came off in his other hand, cupped. "I don't have allergies."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:59 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto's tail swished happily, seeing the other wasn't further bothered by his appearance.

"Cool, I don't have them either", he said, and put his rucksack on the floor, and pushed it under the bed with his foot. There, out of sight and the room remains clean :)

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:04 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros eyed the action from Taisto, leaning slightly down to have a better look underneath the bed where it was put. "I'm hoping our other roommates are... good people. I've not heard good things about some of the other people here."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:06 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto's tail kept swishing in the silence, and he sat on the bed, bouncing a little to test how soft it was. He turned more serious when Ekmeros spoke, though.

"Oh? What have you heard?"

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:12 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Just that there are unsavoury people," Ekmeros replied, opening his own bag and setting his gala-suitable clothes on his bed, smoothing them out as they'd wrinkled in his bag. "One of them is called Roque. That's all I know, really. Just some unfriendly people."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:16 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"I see. Hmm, well, I did see a bunch of people almost get into a fight back on the docks. It would make sense that a tournament would bring some violent people together. Although, did the letter say we were going to fight? I think it was only that we get to show off our powers", he mused. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:28 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros' eyes flitted over to Taisto as he mentioned the near almost fight but he stayed focused on refolding his clothes and neatening them up. "I imagine they intend us to have... controlled fights."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[5:56 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Maybe? It feels a little weird for a church to have a fighting tournament. Especially when their ideals are compassion and healing and whatnot. Isn't fighting the opposire of that?" Taisto mused.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:58 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I'd rather fight in a place where there are healers than a place with only fighters," Ekmeros replied coolly, taking the rest of his clothes and putting them away, not looking over at Taisto.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:03 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"That is definitely true", Taisto admitted. "I just find it an interesting choise of event for a church to have. Instead of like", he paused to think. "Singing competition, or cooking, or, I don't know, treasure hunting even", he shrugged.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:09 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"They invited people with powers, I suppose it's a smaller niche." Ekmeros knelt down to clean the underside of the desk. "With singing or cooking, it'd invite a wider scale of people. We're already a... varied group, with different types of people amongst us. Imagine how much more varied the group would be if it was open to people who had more everyday skill sets."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:15 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"I suppose. But maybe a power talent show would make sense then? It also makes me wonder how and why they invited this many people with powers. It's not necessarily public knowledge that I'm not a human or have supernatural powers, though in a way I'm not too surprised someone knows".

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:18 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"It's easier to rule a winner in a fight." Ominous. "Though I do wonder how they managed to track us down and find us... I travel a lot, it was rather lucky that they managed to send the letter in the location I was in, let alone to the tavern." Man was still cleaning. Yep. So much to clean. "It might be a good idea to ask."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:23 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"I guess", Taisto shrugged. "It could be something to ask, yes" he hummed, looking into the distance with a thoughtful expression. He was silent for a moment, before talking again.

"Well, in any case, it makes sense some guests are fighty", he concluded.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:27 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Yes." That was all he had to say about that, probably because everyone he had met was relatively nice. Ekmeros turned to Taisto after finally seeming to accept that the room was clean, at first looking around the room. "May I clean your part of the room? I can put your stuff away if you like."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:32 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto looked up a little surprised and smiled.

"Oh, you don' have to, but if you'd like, uh, sure! You seem to like cleaning."

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:34 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros stared back blankly but not rudely. "I do." He did.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:38 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"That's nice. I'm not great at cleaning. I'm like if you let a wild squirrel in a house and let it take care of organizing everything", he chuckled, got up from the bed and knelt on the floor to pull his backpack out.

"I'll help, though. I can't let you do that all on your own, although I don't have anything secret in here", he smiled peacefully.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:51 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Hm." Ekmeros shifted to kneel by his backpack. "It would be helpful to know where you want your things to go. I can do it by myself otherwise, I've cleaned worse." He waited for Taisto to open his backpack first.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:48 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Okay, although I don't have strong opinions on where I want most of my things", he said, opening the backpack. He pulled out a bunch of woollen clothes (i really didn't find a good translation but one dictionary calls the "multicoloured knitwears" but that could be anything from socks to hats so ima just say he has three jumpers and multiple pairs of thick woolen socks, and mittens like this), including long, woolen underpants. Under them was a few pairs of shirts some trousers, socks, etc. It was mostly clothes. Apart from that, he pulled out a couple of books – one written in Swedish and one in Finnish – a couple of small notebooks, a pencil case, toothbrush and toothpaste, a couple of chargers, and his small laptop. That was pretty much it, and now it was all on his bed.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:22 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded in response and began to swiftly fold the clothes and set them away. "Do you have your clothes for the gala? I'm going to leave them on the bed so that when the time comes, we can easily find them." As he put everything in a place that would suit it - clothes in the dresser, though he waited for Taisto to respond about the gala clothes, books on the desk, toiletries in the bathroom - he then paused at the laptop and frowned, looking at it as he hesitated to pick it and the chargers up. "...what is this?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[5:32 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"These are my neater clothes, I hope they are fine", he pointed a pair of pants and a simple dark green suit and picked up a tie and one of the finer shirts he had. "Hmm, I think I have neat shoes here too", he dug into his bag once more.

He looked up when Ekmeros asked his question.

"Oh that? It's just my laptop. I might write some of my essays here", he said offhandedly and continued looking for his shoes from the various pockets of the backpack.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:38 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros carefully folded them on the bed. "Best we don't sit on the bed but it won't matter too much if we do, I can just neaten them up again.

That did not answer Ekmeros' question. "...your lap top?" He had assumed that he'd be doing any writing, even essay writing, in his notebooks, even if they seemed rather small to do so in. Ekmeros didn't pick up the laptop, just. Stared at it.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[5:44 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Yeah, probably", Taisto hummed in reply, and pulled out the shoes from the bag, setting them on the floor. Then he looked up again with a peaceful but a little curious smile.

"Yeah? My computer. My portable device", he chuckled.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:48 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

This cleared up absolutely nothing for Ekmeros. "...right." Not right. He began to try to pick it up, but was surprised at the weight and his eyes widened at the the opening of the laptop. "Is it broken?" He asked over his shoulder, leaving it under the bed with his hands under it. "Mm..."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:00 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto shifted closer, bent down to reach for the item and picked it up from Ekmeros' hands. He sat properly down on his knees and set the laptop where it belongs, I suppose; on his lap.

"I doubt it's broken... I put it in the middle of all my clothes, they should've softened any hit", he said, running his fingers across the chipped plastic skin of the device.

"It's just old and a bit worse for wear", he explained, opened the lid fully and switched the power on. After a moment the screen lit up.

"Seems to work!" he gave Ekmeros a smile.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:10 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros allowed him to take the laptop and watched him check over the device. But when Taisto opened the lid, he gasped in horror; his shoulders tensed as he covered his mouth with his hand, eyes wide with surprise and then... confusion. Was it not broken? The bright screen stung his eyes so he looked away until he adjusted, and then he was right back to staring. Hand still over his mouth, confusion contorting his brow.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:14 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Hearing him gasp, Taisto turned to look at Ekmeros, a little worried.

"Are you okay?" He asked, then noticed how the other was staring at the laptop, and thought he might get what was bothering him.

"I... guess you are not familiar with computers?" He tilted his head.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:17 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I'm fine..." Ekmeros' eyes were glued to the laptop, struggling to rationalise it. "Uh... I am not, familiar that is. With those. Or 'lap tops'."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:24 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto nodded and smiled understandingly.

"I see, well, computer is a more general term for these kinds of machines. Table tops are big and heavy, so they are not so portable. They are stronger and have more space to store information. Um. Stronger means that they can run computer programs faster and more efficiantly. Hm. I cans show a bit", he signed in on his account, the device taking its sweet time. "I mostly use writing programs, since I use my laptop for my essays." he tapped a Word-equivalent open and waited for it to open. "Here, I can write my papers, and editing is easier and faster than if I did everything on paper", he keysmashed a bunch. "Tabletops can have more programs open at once, and run some that are more challenging. This laptop is a portable computer, light to carry and fits in small spaces, but it's pretty weak and slow to work. But it's fine for my needs", he finally concluded his ramble. Wonder how much Ekmeros got out of that.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:35 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Those were certainly words. Ekmeros watched Taisto's movements on the laptop. Sure, maybe he shouldn't have watched him log in but he didn't know what to do with the information. He barely remembered it from all the new knowledge he was being told. What the hell is Word. "...I see?" His tone emphasised that no, he did not see, and he certainly did not understand.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[6:44 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Yeah. You can do a lot of stuff with a computer. Like browse the internet or play music or watch videos", he nodded, and discarded the keysmash file, instead opening one of his essays.

"This is what a finished paper would look like. I can send ut to my prof digitally by e-mail, or print it on real paper if I need."

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:46 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros muttered under his breath, "Browse the what...?" Then he spoke a little louder. "I can already play music without a lap top." He stared at the essay, barely catching and certainly not understanding what 'e-mail' was, let alone digitally, but he could vaguely gather what print was. "I see..." He did not.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:03 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Yeah!" Taisto smiled, convinced that Ekmeros did see.

"Oh yes, live music is a lot nicer than playing it digitally. But this is more like. Hm, well y'know, playing recorded music, like CDs, or, cassettes and LPs if you are more familiar with those. I can't play instruments, so if I want to hear music I need to use a radio or a computer", he went on a tangent.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[7:06 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

All of this was going over Ekmeros' head. And horns. He continued to just stare at the machine as Taisto spoke as if that would put the pieces together. It did not. He was familiar with none of those things. "You could watch a performance," Ekmeros suggested, adjusting the strap of the viol case he was still wearing on his back.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:12 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Oh, concerts are wonderful! I would love to go to them more often. Unfortunately, they tend to be pretty expensive, especially if I went to many of them in a short time span. Well, in any case, sometimes I like to listen to music while I study, and sometimes I want to just lie in my bed and let the music display all the emotions in me..." he trailed off, and frowned slightly. Maybe that last part had been a weird thing to say. Oh well. He shook his head, let out a small laugh, and turned back to the laptop, opening some of the CD files he had saved.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:33 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros murmured about the state of music - where he was, most musicians were just travellers who took in tips and favours and he knew that sort of thing didn't happen in the cities. Maybe it was the same for Taisto. He quietly watched him use the laptop, still confused by it but trying to act like he knew what he was looking at.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[8:36 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto hit play on some folk music album he had on the computer, and let it play for a moment.

"Like that. I have better speakers at home, and headphones also make the sound nicer. But yeah. It helps me feel better sometimes, to listen to music. I'd love to hear it live, but it's also good that I can listen to it even when I can't go out or just want to be alone", he concluded, and closed the laptop.

"We should probably get ready for the gala", he said and stood up, holding the device under his arm.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:45 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

All these new words. What was wrong with just listening to music? Ekmeros winced at hearing the music through the speakers, but then was surprised at the quality of the speakers. "Mm..." He moved back from the laptop. "You can use the bathroom first," he offered, gesturing toward the ensuite. "...does a lap top go in the bathroom?" From what he'd been told it didn't seem likely.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[8:49 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"I don't think that's the best place for it. It's electric and the bathroom has a lot of water. Those two are a dangerous pair", Taisto replied.

"Oh, I don't need to use the bathroom, you can if you need", he shook his head with a smile and waved his hand dismissively. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:57 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"...don't you have to get changed?" Ekmeros asked after a small pause, beginning to carefully pick his own clothes up from the bed. "You'll need privacy for that."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:00 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto tilted his head at Ekmeros' first question, and just nodded. When the other continued, the haltia just blinked. Then he tilted his head the other way.

"Uh. I mean, I can just change here. If you go to the bathroom, I'm already alone here", he chuckled. "Besides, there's not much to see about me, anyway", he shrugged.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[9:03 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Right." Ekmeros just stood there for a moment before nodding. "Right. I will use the bathroom then." He then just. Did in fact walk to the bathroom with his clothes. Bye.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:05 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Bye Ekmeros! Taisto just changed there in the bedroom. He didn't take very long, especially since he wasn't very particular with the details. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[9:51 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros took a little more time to ready himself but eventually did emerge. Hooray, fancy clothes.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:55 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Eyy fancy lads! Ekmeros was arguably fancier than the little (not so little) forest boy.

"You look good!" Taisto complimented genuinely and grinned with a swish of his tail. He fixed his tie a bit and brushed his fingers through his hair. Then he was ready to go.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:00 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Thank you." A beat passed too long before he continued, "You look good as well." Ekmeros nodded to affirm the returned compliment, shifting the thing around his neck.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:02 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto didn't notice if the pause was too long, he smiled and swished his tail more.

"Thanks! Wanna go now or do you need to do something first?"

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:05 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I don't have anything else to do." Man still had the viol case on him as he rearranged the case on him. "Would you like to walk together?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:07 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Sure! Let's go, then", he wagged his tail a couple more times, stepping closer to the door and gesturing Ekmeros to go first. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:10 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros had gone to move toward the door for Taisto but was beaten. He pursed his lips - he should have insisted Taisto go to the bathroom so he (Ekmeros) would be closer to the door. No point in changing it now. He nodded and walked through the door, propping it open with his hand for Taisto.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:12 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto followed, blissfully oblivious of any discomfort from Ekmeros' part. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

old folks friendship part 2

[10:42 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Assuming that everyone else was already asleep, Taisto entered the room as quietly as he could. He left his shoes and his suit jacket on the coar hooks in the common area, and went to the bathroom for a quick shower. He had tumbled a couple of times on the courtyard, and his fur was messy.

Once he was done, he went and pressed the doorhandle to his and Ekmeros' partition down carefully, and pushed the door open as silently as he could, in case Ekmeros was sleeping, but didn't enter yet. The tiefling wouldn't even see him through the crack yet.

Then, instead of a tall wolf man, a big, fluffy cat pushed through the doorway, soundlessly walking in and looking around to see if anyone was awake.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:51 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was sat cross-legged on the bed. He hadn't gotten changed out of his clothes. Not just socks on the bed, shoes as well. The viol was out of its case and resting in his lap. He looked up at the noise, knowing that someone was entering at least but he couldn't be sure who. Boiled it down to three people out of everyone, naturally. Unless the ghost followed him. His shoulders tensed. Hopefully not.

Ekmeros was surprised that it was not a tall wolf man this time but a fluffy cat, and he had to bite back the instant reaction of asking if he shed. Considering the other answers to that question... it seemed unlikely. "...hello there," he said instead, cautiously. Quieter than usual.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:59 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Seeing Ekmeros sat on his bed, wide awake, Taisto perked up and made a small accidental meow, before talking.

"Oh, you're still up! Good evening!"

Not feeling up to going through the bother of changin his form again, he extended his tail to lengths no cat has ever had their tail before, wrapped it around the door handle, and pulled the door closed. Then he retracted the tail to a normal length, and stepped softly furter into the room.

"I didn't want to wake you in case you were sleeping. This form is quieter than my usual", he explained, and hopped on his own bed, turned to face Ekmeros and sat down, neatly wrapping his tail around his paws.

"How are you doing? Did you have fun at the gala?"

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:11 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros stared at the tail closing the door but said nothing about it. Hm. "Well, I'm not asleep. I don't sleep until later," he said so very matter-of-factly. "But thank you for trying to be quiet. It'll be good for our other roommates." He shifted his position slightly but only to face Taisto better. "The gala was... all right. I spoke to Yeonaixho briefly, he seems nice. How about you?"

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:21 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto nodded.

"Yes, I can see that", he hummed with laughter. "Transforming takes some effort though, so if you don't mind, I won't bother right now."

"Yes, I could smell at least Zerada in there, she's probably sleeping", his ear flicked and he turned his head to listen for sounds from the other part of the room. "I'm glad you had a nice party! And you talked to the big man himself, very cool", he said, turning back to Ekmeros and squinted his eyes in a friendly manner. "Ah, after we parted ways, I got roped up in a... rather interesting conversation?" he hummed, his tail starting to tap the mattress. "It was interesting especially because the other person had beautiful wings that he let me examine, they were fascinating, But uh. He was apparently flirting with me and I didn't notice, so that was awkward, and I think he got mad at me, so... could have gone better", he shook himself and started cleaning his paw to vent his frustration somehow.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:31 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros just nodded, as if he had any experience in transformation. "Mm, I see." Weird to have a roommate who could smell people in the next room over? Maybe. He narrowed his eyes as Taisto recounted his experience. "I've seen a person with wings around, and I've heard there are some... not good people around." He averted his gaze in thought. "Odd."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:36 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Ah, no, I don't think he meant anything bad", Taisto hurried to say, putting his paw back on the mattress. "It was all just a silly misunderstanding", he shook his head. He really shouldn't be defending Peregrine, but he was convinced that he himself had been in the wrong, and he didn't want to slander a fellow contestant, lest he get involved in drama.

"Anyway, what did you do after the gala? Have you been here the whole time?" he glanced at the viol in the other's lap. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:41 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros didn't seem too convinced but at least he didn't question it. Yay! Anyway, hahaha, funny question, what had he done after the gala indeed? God. God. "I........ read." Yep. That's all he did. He read. "In the library." Yep. The normal library with the normal books with the normal no ghosts.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:44 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Oh, there's a library? That's nice! That would be a good place to study. What were you reading?" Taisto asked, genuinely intrigued. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:50 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"...............................books." Yep. Normal books. Totally not church records detailing too much death or prayerbooks with... prayers.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:51 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto nodded. And nodded. And nodded again, slowly and expecting Ekmeros to continue. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:52 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros did not continue.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:54 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto's ear flicked, and he just stared at Ekmeros for a moment, before realizing he had finished what he was saying. He let out a small chuckle and nodded again.

"Books are good to read", he squinted his eyes with a small cat-like smile, and his tail swished a little. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:58 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Yes, and libraries are quiet places." Ahaha. No. He lifted the case from beside him on the floor and began to pack the viol away.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:01 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Thay are, very pleasant. I often study in libraries. I need to go check this one out and see what books they have", Taisto mused and stood up on the bed. Then, he walked to the head end, pulled the blanket aside a little with his teeth, and smooshed his face into the pillow, trying to get his head under the blanket. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:03 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"...I would suggest not going to this library." A very vague sentence Ekmeros came out with as he put his viol away. He set it on the bed as he stood and dug through his clothes to find suitable bedwear.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:07 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto paused, and lifted his head to look back at Ekmeros. His tail was standing up and slowly snaking.

"Why not? Was there nothing interesting?"

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:10 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was silent for a while - it had to be seconds but it felt like an eternity - as he completely froze to think. "...yes. Nothing interesting at all. No point going there." He was so good at lying.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:13 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Ekmeros might be bad at lying, but Taisto was horrible at reading people. He stared at Ekmeros, his tail flicking, and pondered why the other was so stiff all of a sudden. Probably just sleepy?

"Aw, well, that's a pity. I might still go see for myself. We probably have different tastes and interests", he meowed, and turned back towards his pillow and continued his attempt to burrow in between the sheets. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:21 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I can find interest in boring things and I still found nothing good," Ekmeros quickly added. Sort of not a lie but also a self-roast. "So not much point in going." He slowly continued picking out his clothes and then stood up straight, tense. "I wouldn't recommend it."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:26 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Well, I can always just read my own books and write my essays", came Taisto's muffled voice from the pillow. He pawed at the blanket, managed to slip his head under it, adjusted his position and pushed further under it. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:28 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Yes. On the lap top." Now with his clothes, he walked to the bathroom to go get changed without a word. Man practically disappeared.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:30 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Mhm", taisto replied. Now only his hindquarters and tail could be seen, before he fully disappeared under the blanket. Then, there was just a moving mound on the bed, as he looked for a comfortable spot to settle in. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:36 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

When Ekmeros returned, he had changed for bed and was tying up his hair into a ponytail. He raised an eyebrow toward Taisto but said nothing and just sat back in the bed, at least putting the blankets on this time. Still just sat there. Not sleeping. Normal guy.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[12:40 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

The mound on the bed moved back towards to head end. Taisto figured the pillow would be the most comfortable after all. His little cat head popped out from under the blanket, and he blinked his eyes a little before turning to look at Ekmeros.

"Hmm, are you not sleepy?" he asked, made some biscuits against the pillow before settling his paws on it and resting his head on the paws. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:22 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I don't sleep until later," he reiterated, almost impatiently but his face didn't seem frustrated. Just chilling. He paused for a little while, his brow furrowed but not in an angry way, in a... different, contemplative way. Then he added, "Usually I don't share a room with other people." That brow stayed furrowed. Hm.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:43 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Hmm you seem sleepy. But you do you", Taisto commented. He closed his eyes, and was about to bid goodnight, when Ekmeros spoke again.

Taisto glanced at Ekmeros, and smiled a bit.

"Me neither. Last time was when I was still a child. Back home I live alone for obvious reasons. If I shared a room with someone else, I couldn't be myself even at home. I don't think I could bear it." After giving it a moment of thought, Taisto looked at the other with concern. "Is that why you can't sleep? Should I leave? I can take the pillow to the hall and sleep there", he offered, partially getting up on his forelegs already. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:30 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was quiet as Taisto spoke. Maybe he was just listening to him, but he did seem to be thinking. About something, that he was not going to share. He stayed quiet for a little while longer after Taisto spoke, his gaze bore into the wall in front of him. It was when he noticed Taisto's slight movement in the corner of his eye. "Hm? Oh, no. No. I can sleep when I want. No. Don't sleep in the hall."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:40 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto paused.

"...Are you sure? I don't mind", he said, and slowly settled back on the pillow, though kept his head up and looked at Ekmeros.

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[11:47 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"No- yes I'm sure." Ekmeros nodded.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:48 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Oh, alright", Taisto hummed, and put his chin back on his paws, but kept looking at Ekmeros with his emerald eyes.

"...Is something bothering you?" @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:28 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"No," Ekmeros replied very quickly. He stared back at the wall in thought. Old man staring at the wall. "No."

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:41 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"...Okay", Taisto replied.

"Well, if something starts bothering you, you can talk to me about it if you want. And if it's about me, please tell me so I can un-bother you."

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:43 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"N-" Ekmeros stopped himself. "...thank you. Nothing is bothering me and it's nothing to do with you." He sat up a little straighter in his bed and began to quietly gaze around the room in thought. All man does is think.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:49 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Alright, that's good. But for future reference", Taisto squinted his eyes once more in a friendly manner, before completely closing them.

"Goodnight", he meowed, shuffled to turn onto his side, and covered his eyes with one paw.

Hopefully cat purring asmr will help Ekmeros relax, because that's pretty much the only sound in the room now. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:54 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Goodnight," Ekmeros replied, though it tilted upwards at the end like he was questioning the purring. He didn't say anything more about it, instead just sitting there. Then he stood from the bed, grabbed the viol case and just sat in the little entry hall instead. Nice and quiet. Good night Taisto.

@Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[1:57 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto's ear flicked when Ekmeros stood up, but didn't look up. He continued silently and contently purring, until he fell asleep and silent. Goodnight boys ✌️

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

zerada healing

[4:53 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Back inside of the room now, and Zerada instantly made a bee-line for her backpack. She took out a small medical kit and opened it up.

Her movements were methodical as she tended to her injury. It didn't take long for her to completely bandage herself up. Now, she was all patched up and ready to go back out there.

Switching her ruined t-shirt for a new one, she made her way out of the bedroom.

[Zerada's at 24 HP]

zerada and taisto

[9:24 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Today was one hell of a day. She didn't expect ghosty time, but hey, it could've been worse. All things considered, she wasn't possessed or anything, so hey, that was nice. She was ready to just roll over and knock out.

Zerada entered the room. @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:06 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

The door to Ekmeros' and Taisto's sleeping quarters was wide open; the warm light from the lamps glowing inside and Taisto was just slowly walking around, a notebook in his left hand and his right hand absentmindedly twirling his golden lily, as he hummed to himself. He noticed Zerada enter, looked up, and smiled.

"Oh hey! Haven't seen you in a bit. How's it going?" he asked, plucking a wireless earbud from his wolf ear. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:50 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"Oh- Hi, sorry if I'm interrupting anything." Zerada apologized with a small, tired smile. "I was hoping I wouldn't have distracted you."

At his question, Zerada paused. There had been a lot that had happened that day. The ghost was still fresh in her mind.

".. It's going- Okay, I guess. Today's been a bit crazy, but not in the violent-kind of way like it's been for some guests. So, it's been fine." She paused. "How's it going for you?" @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:08 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto waved his hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. If I wanted to not be distracted I could have closed the door."

He glanced at Zerada with a gentle, mildly concerned smile and tilted his head when she answered.

"Aw, I'm glad you haven't gotten into any fights at least. That sucks if there has been violence between the guests", he hummed. "I have been mostly exploring the island today! I met a couple more people, and now I'm working on my essay a bit before bed", he replied in turn.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:01 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Yeah, I’ve been hearing a bit about it. I’m just trying to steer out of trouble.” Sure she was.

“And that’s nice. What did you explore?” She tilted her head slightly. “And an essay? Are you a student?” @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:16 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"That's wise, better not get yourself hurt", Taisto nodded.

"Just roamed around the island, across the beach and the fields. It's pretty empty here. Mostly just birds", he hummed. "And yeah! I study ecology and forestry in a university! I already have all my credits to graduate and I only need to finish my doctor's thesis, but since I'm still there I've taken some courses for funzies", he smiled. "I have a folk lore and mythology class I'm writing the essay for." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[6:07 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"I'd like to avoid it, if I'm honest." Zerada sighed.

Zerada perked up as she listened to Taisto. "That so? That's really impressive, Taisto. That's good- I'm glad that you've gotten that far with your education, and that you're continuing to pursue it. That's nice. What about folklore and mythology interests you?" @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[9:04 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Of course", Taisto smiled kindly.

"Thank you! It hasn't been easy. But yeah! I'm a forest spirit myself, and I'm trying to learn whatever I can about myself and my kind, although human sources unfortunately have very limited knowledge on the matter. Still, if I can learn anything at all, it's more than I had before." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:48 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"A forest spirit?" Zerada asked. "Huh- I didn't know that forest spirits exist... I'd imagine it's very limited, I don't think you can find much in any library. Though, maybe this one has some books on it, since I imagine that maybe there's, I dunno, ghosts and- Things like that here, maybe?"

Zerada didn't want to directly say that there were ghosts, but hey, there were ghosts here. Maybe there would be something for Taisto in the library. @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:03 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Yes, my country has some history with us, but even then, when the texts are written solely from human perspective, they don't offer as much insight as I would hope for. But if it's something, it's something", he hummed. Then, he perked up and tilted his head curiously.

"You think this place is haunted? Could be! It hasn't been around for all that long, but who knows! I haven't checked the library yet, but you're right that maybe they have some books here that I haven't gotten hold of yet! Ekmeros said there's no interesting books in there, but it won't hurt to check. Thanks for the tip!" he smiled. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:20 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"Well, a little bit can help. Any ounce of knowledge can be a great help." Zerada hummed.

At the mention of ghosts, Zerada glanced away.

"Uhhhh... It could be, I don't really know. It could be haunted, I don't really- Have ghost experience." She took in a deep breath before letting it out slowly. "But for sure check out the library. It's quite nice, I went there earlier." @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:24 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Exactly", Taisto closed his eyes with a friendly smile.

When Zerada mentioned she didn't have experiences with ghosts, Taisto laughed lightly. "It's probably better you haven't! I've seen some from afar, on graveyards, but I haven't interacted with them. But yes! I might go there tomorrow. It would be a nice place to study too! The desk here is a bit small. My legs barely fit under it", he chuckled awkwardly and gestured to the table in the room, that had his laptop and books sitting on it. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:30 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"In graveyards? Like- The one here?" Zerada paused. "Or- Have you seen one in the gardens? Or, anywhere else here, since ghosts can be anywhere?"

She cleared her throat. "Maybe you can find a comfortable spot somewhere and bring your books there. Then, you can have a nice place to relax as you read." @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[10:33 PM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"I haven't seen any on this island. Back home, I've seen some standing on their graves. Very vague figures, like pale gray pillars that fade fron sight once you blink or move. They were very passive. At least I think they knew they were dead, since they didn't try to leave the graveyard to go back home", he hummed with a melancholic smile.

"Yes! I hope so. At least I'd have more space to spread my notes and books around", he nodded. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[11:07 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Oh.. Is that how normal ghosts look?” Zerada asked. “And do they usually have, vague details to their bodies? Things like that?”

Zerada hummed. “You can always bring your supplies back here. This is a pretty nice study spot you have set up.” @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:13 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"There are different kinds of ghosts. Their appearance depends a lot on how long they have been stuck in place, how much they remember of their past selves, how much remaining thoughts and desires they have, etc. I'm honestly not an expert, but that's something I know. They are a varied lot."

"Yeah, this room is a bit small for me", he nodded, looking at the desk.

"But I should probably let you go to bed, yeah? It's getting late." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[11:22 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada paused as she took that in.

“I see… Even if you’re not an expert, that’s interesting to know. Thanks, Taisto.”

Zerada gave him a small smile. “Yeah, you’re right, it is getting pretty late. Be sure to get some rest, okay? Good luck with the rest of your essay.” @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:24 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"No problem! If folk lore interests you, we can have a chat about it sometime later too", he smiled.

"Yeah, I'll be going to bed too. And thanks! I'll continue it tomorrow." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[11:35 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“I wouldn’t mind learning more about it,” Zerada hummed. “Thank you. I’ll definitely take you up on that offer.”

With a wave, Zerada exited the room and made her way to her bed. Sleepy times. @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[11:56 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Alright! See you later, then. Goodnight!" He waved back to her, and returned back to his part of the dorm. Sleepy times 😴

[12:10 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

:sleepy5: :sleepy5:

ekmino again

[12:35 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Once again, Shino and Ekmeros arrived outside the latter's door. "Ekmeros... I am so, so sorry." The dedicant said simply. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:36 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros held the strap of his viol case tightly in his hand. "It's not your fault I seem to have... become crazy, I suppose. I should be thanking you, really."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:37 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Still, I apologize that coming here has caused you any sort of distress. It is not your fault that you suffer." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:39 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was quiet again, reading the name plate on the door. The others didn't have to know. He'd rather they didn't. "Yeonaixho is very kind to offer me treatment." He looked back over to Shino and managed a small, awkward smile. "You're also very kind to walk me back."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:45 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"It's the very least I can do." Shino managed a gentle smile. "I truly think Yeonaixho will be able to help you. He's very good at this sort of thing." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:48 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros forced a chuckle. "I would hope he was good at this. He does seem trustworthy. The Hand of God for a reason, I suppose."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:51 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"He's one of the most trustworthy individuals I know. I hope that, during the time you stay here, you're able to place similar trust in him." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:53 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Well, I have had to trust him in this... treatment, haven't I?" Ekmeros mused, glancing back at the door. He sure hoped nobody was inside there right now... but he couldn't hear anything inside, so he felt safe to assume there wasn't.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:55 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Still, I hope you can find peace while you're here." Shino continued. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:57 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Other than... her-" Ekmeros decided that that would be an easier shorthand for whatever had happened today. "-I have enjoyed my time on the island. It's a beautiful place and... well, it's peaceful."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[12:59 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"It really is a beautiful place. I hope you'll be able to see it in spring... everything is more beautiful in spring, I think." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:05 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Well... I'll have to be staying on the island for longer than the tournament so I will hopefully make it to spring." He wrung his hands together, then gripped the strap of the viol case again, letting the other hand just dangle at his side, open. "Spring is a lovely season to travel during, I find."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:07 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"It is also a lovely season to stay where you are." Shino hummed, and idly looked down the hall, lost in a spring that wasn't real. "I do hope you'll like it here, for the time you remain." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:10 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros didn't say anything. He just nodded, his gaze idly following Shino's but not seeing the spring.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:11 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Shino refocused, and cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well... I suppose I should leave you to rest, here. Unless there's anything else you need?" @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:13 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros blinked as Shino cleared his throat and quickly looked to him. "Ah, yes. I... don't think there's anything else I need. Rest, yes. A good idea." Yes it was morning, yes Ekmeros was going back to bed. He was allowed to, his morning was weird.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:15 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"I'll see you later. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to come find me. I'll be in the greenhouse for the rest of the day." Shino smiled. "I do still hope you'll play for me, someday." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:18 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded, then smiled back. "I... I would still like to play for you," he stammered slightly as he spoke, "And I would like... to hear you play as well. If- if I need you, I'll find you, yes." He stepped backwards and slowly opened the door to the room. "Thank you, Shino. For everything you have done for me thus far."

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:22 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"I'd be honored to." Shino stepped back, letting Ekmeros enter his room. "Of course, Ekmeros. It's the least I can do, for such a good acquaintance of mine." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:25 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros blinked. A good acquaintance? Very forward for someone he met only the other day. "Yes, thank you." He nodded gratefully to Shino and then... slowly shut the door. lmao

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[1:25 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Once Ekmeros had closed the door, Shino started back down the hallway to go do his work. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

ekmeros and zerada

[3:51 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada stepped into her bedroom again. She was exhausted and honestly, kind of just wanted to be cozy. She still had the intention of going back to the garden, but for now, maybe she’d like to chill.

Noticing that the door to the other room was there, she paused. Maybe Taisto was still there. Some company sounded nice.

Zerada stepped towards the bedroom door and knocked. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[4:00 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Once Shino had left, Ekmeros had quite literally just walked over to his bed, paused to gently remove his viol from his body, set that gently on the bed, and laid face down on top of the blanket, ignoring his horns pressing into the pillow. No overly specific rituals for now, instead he just laid on the bed and slept like that, as much as his mind tried to resist. It had been a long day. And it had only been morning.

Zerada's knock was enough to rouse him from his half-slumber. Ekmeros barely cared enough to run through his hands through his hair to neaten it - barely - and he was freeing it from its ponytail as he opened the door. "Hello," he mumbled drowsily.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:40 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Oh shit- I’m sorry,” Zerada frowned. “I thought Taisto was here- I’m sorry for waking you, Ekmeros. I can let you go back to sleep, if you’d like.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:26 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"No, I needed to wake up. Ah." Ekmeros stepped backwards out of the door, leaving it open, as he quickly picked up his viol and strapped the case onto himself again. "I am... not usually this messy," he mumbled, out of his element in slightly crimpled clothes and unbrushed hair while talking with someone.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[5:55 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“No, it’s okay, I understand that.” Zerada scooted out of the way so Ekmeros could leave. “Do you want me to- Leave, while you adjust yourself, or..?” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:02 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"...I will be fine." Ekmeros looked and felt like a soaked cat, even though he was literally just slightly more dishevelled than he usually was in front of a person. "How come you were looking for Taisto? I could pass a message along to him if he returns while you're not here."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:26 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Oh, no, i was just curious on if he was here or not. I know he was working on an essay, so I was curious as to what his progress was like.” Zerada stated. “You don’t have to pass anything along, it’s alright.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:31 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Oh, yes, he's a student, he said before. With his... lap top." Ekmeros separated the syllables and scrunched his nose slightly at the memory of such an unfamiliar device. "I haven't seen him since... well, this morning." Before he went to the chapel and discovered something was wrong with him. He obviously kept that part unsaid.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:37 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Yeah, he was doing a paper, I know that he was as working hard.” Zerada paused. “I haven’t seen him since this morning, either. Though, I wasn’t really looking for him, I might’ve missed him on my way to Mass.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[7:01 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros tightened his lips like :| for a second before letting his face settle and speaking again. "You went to Mass too?"

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:18 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada raised an eyebrow.

“… Yeah, I did.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:22 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"...I did as well."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:31 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Oh,” Zerada paused. “Are you.. Okay? You seem kinda shook about it..” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:32 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros narrowed his eyes - not in suspicion but confusion. "'Shook'? Do you mean shaken?"

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:52 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Oh- No, it’s more of a slang term for shock or surprise,” Zerada explained. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:55 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros blinked uncomprehendingly. "...I see." Old man did not see. "Well, I've never been to Mass before so I suppose I was... a little surprised? Because I did not know what it would be like." Sure, that's what he was shook about.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:01 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“I’ve been to Mass before for different religions. This one isn’t all that different,” She gave a slight shrug. “But it definitely is an experience when it’s something new to you. I can understand it being surprising.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[9:06 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I hadn't gone to a church before today. Or a chapel, I suppose. I never had time for religion before. But... well, religion is very important here. It would feel wrong to not engage with that part of the people while they house us, especially since they have asked us to."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:01 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“That’s similar to how I feel. I figured I may as well hear them out and learn more about the Lifebringer. It’s rather- Interesting..” Zerada grew silent. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:04 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded. "Yes... Yeonaixho is rather nice. I've only met a couple of the people here but... they all seem rather nice."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:06 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Yeah, some of them are,” Zerada shifted on her feet slightly. “There’s some- Interesting individuals I’ve interacted with, if I’m honest. One in particular is- Strange.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:09 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

It was Ekmeros' turn to raise his eyebrow. "Interesting individuals. I've heard that some of our fellow contestants are... odd as well."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:11 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“I heard there’s been some fights among us,” Zerada said. “Apparently, one or two of them are being kicked out of the island.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:13 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Already?" Ekmeros' other eyebrow raised. "How have there already been fights...?"

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:14 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Well- Fights outside of the arena. It’s against the rules, so they’re getting kicked out for it.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:22 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"How have people already managed to come up with reasons to fight one another...?" Ekmeros muttered under his breath, furrowing his brows.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[12:04 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Well, when you have a big group of people, you’re bound to have people with differing opinions that are passionate enough about them to fight,” Zerada sighed. “And then since most of us have powers, that makes it even more tempting for everyone to fight each other. They wanna prove themselves. I don’t really care about that, if I’m honest. There’s no need to cause trouble.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:22 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"That is true... certainly a lot of hassle for the people running the tournament already." Ekmeros tapped his foot disapprovingly of the situation. Old man/dad stance activated. Just needed to put his hands on his hips and he'd be at his most powerful. Instead, one hand was on the strap of the case and the other stayed at his side. "Have you had any problems with anyone?"

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:16 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"I can't imagine how much stress they're under. To host an event like this only to face the actions of a few bad apples, it's gotta suck."

At Ekmeros' question, Zerada frowned.

"Somewhat, yes.." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[4:23 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Hm..." Ekmeros hummed in agreement. He matched Zerada's frown and narrowed his eyes. "That is unfortunate. I've managed to meet 'good apples' so far, which I think is a testament to my luck." That luck had clearly run out in other regards though, not that he'd comment on it to Zerada. No point dragging her, or anyone not involved, into that. "Who did you... somewhat have problems with, if you don't mind me asking?"

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:36 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"Well- I have met good apples, but this one was-" She paused. "Rotten in every sense of the word.. It wasn't a contestant, but rather, a-.. Staff member, I suppose..?" @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[4:38 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros blinked. "A staff member?" He tilted his head and put one hand on his hip. Two thirds of a dad stance.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[5:17 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada shifted on her feet once more, growing somewhat nervous.

".. Kind of.." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:28 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros blinked a few more times at Zerada. "Perhaps you should talk to Yeonaixho - or... I can't remember her name, the one who made the speech, if it's about their staff."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[5:48 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"It's not- Entirely about a- It's- Uh-" Zerada sighed.

".. Have you been to the garden at all?" @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[5:56 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros was not following. "No, I have not... I've been to the greenhouse."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[6:01 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada started to pace.

"Well, in the garden, there's a statue of a lady, right? It's kind of a memorial for her. 'I will love you forever like a honeybee loves a lily flower.' That's what's the memorial plaque said. I ended up seeing an actual fucking ghost and she spoke to me." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:09 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

At first, Ekmeros just watched Zerada pace back and forth. Then, at that little ghost reveal, he stepped back warily - then he stepped forward again. "A ghost? You saw a ghost-?" Ekmeros bit his tongue before he finished, holding back the 'as well'. A series of questions flooded his mind. Was he contagious? Had he already been sick at the gala when they first met? Was Taisto sick too? He stepped back again.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[6:16 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"A whole ghost, and she was even speaking to me." Zerada shook her head before running a hand through her hair stressfully. "I didn't even really know that ghosts existed until I got here." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:31 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros stared at the ground as he considered the information laid out before him. "A ghost..." He repeated to himself, tightening his grip on the viol case's strap.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[6:33 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada stopped pacing so she could look at Ekmeros.

"Yeah, a ghost. Do you not believe in them? I wasn't sure if I did, but trust me when I say that there's a ghost here." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[6:36 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I'm not sure what to believe," Ekmeros just vaguely said, awkwardly meeting Zerada's gaze. "Well... if you saw a ghost..."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:02 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"I saw it with my own two eyes," Zerada nodded her head. "Or rather, her." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[7:11 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded again but didn't verbally reply.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:16 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada began to pace again.

"I dunno, I've never really done or believed in ghost stuff. I've watched ghost hunting shows, sure, but this was a real life thing. When I've mentioned the statue that the lady is of to the staff, they haven't responded or answered me." Granted, the only person that she asked was Teya, but she was sure no one else would answer. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:15 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros could only contribute a murmur of, "...ghost hunting shows...?" He was almost lost in thought as he tried to work out the logistics of that - he'd never seen a TV before, man is trying to work out how you can live show a ghost hunt. But to his credit, he was also thinking about other things - like what he'd been told by Yeonaixho, and Shino, and the ghost he was supposedly hallucinating, and also if he was in fact contagious because man does not really understand mental illness.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:26 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Mmhm, ghost hunting shows. I never thought I’d wind up living out one, but here we are.” Zerada sighed.

She continued to pace at a quicker speed, and as she did so, small sparks of electricity appeared at her hands. Stress, stress, stress- Too many thoughts.

“I wanna head back there later and see if I’ll see her again, or if I could actually talk with her instead of her yelling at me and blaming me for something I didn’t even do. I wanna know who killed her.” She continued to pace. “This island’s fucked up.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[10:33 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros held his free hand up as if to try calm Zerada down - man may not know about television but he knows about electricity! Probably. idk. He knows it's dangerous at least. "If it is a ghost, it may not be the best idea to seek it out- wait, killed it? Why do you think someone killed it? People can die in... other ways." He scratched the side of his neck uncertainly.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[12:15 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada continued with her pacing, but her electricity did stop.

"People can die in all kinds of ways," Zerada sighed. "But the condition that the ghost was in, it was obviously murder. Not only that, but she was blaming me for her death. I haven't killed anyone here. I think that the ghost's confused and is just taking it out on me when the true culprit's out there." @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:17 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Obviously... murder..." Ekmeros trailed off, frowning as he imagined the state of the ghost. "Perhaps you should talk to Yeonaixho about this- or perhaps Petrai, maybe one of them would know better. Perhaps one of them has seen the ghost." Man is not putting the pieces together.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[12:25 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“I won’t.” Zerada stopped pacing and looked at Ekmeros. “A mid-rank staff member told me that it wasn’t their place to speak of the statue. A person of a higher ranking doesn’t want them to speak of the statue itself, I doubt they would take it lightly if I spoke to them about a ghost of the person I saw.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:26 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Well, Yeonaixho helped me when I had... my own concerns." Ekmeros wrung the case strap in his hand, bringing his other hand to the strap as well. "He might be able to help you too."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[12:27 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada frowned.

“.. What concerns do you have?”

[12:27 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

@soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[12:27 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros' face went like :| again, his teeth grit behind his lips. "They aren't relevant to this conversation."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[12:55 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada was quiet for a moment. “.. Maybe so, but if you wanna talk about it, we can. I’m not one to judge. You look like you have a lot on your mind right now.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:02 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

It was Ekmeros' turn to pace, though he only took one or two steps before he turned to pace the other way, barely moving. "Ah... hm..." was his own response as he contemplated the possibility of talking about his feelings.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[1:04 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada was silent. All she did was nod her head, urging Ekmeros to go on. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:08 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I... am sick," Ekmeros eventually said, sitting down on the bed and rearranging the viol case so it was more settled on his lap. "I only found out this morning, Yeonaixho helped me realise it and has offered to treat me, on the island, after the tournament."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[1:28 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

”Oh,” Zerada glanced to the side. “I’m sorry, I can understand how that’d have you feeling stressed and distracted.. I’m sorry to hear about that, Ekmeros..” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:41 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"Mm." Ekmeros nodded to her response. "I suppose I was lucky to come to an island with healers. Which is why I suggested that perhaps Yeonaixho could help you as well."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[1:43 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t believe a healer could help me with the ghost situation,” Zerada hummed slightly. “I don’t think they could do too much there.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:45 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros truly did not want to say more than he had to. "Well... I didn't know I was sick until I spoke to him. Perhaps he can help you... work out the ghost situation."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[1:54 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Even if he’s a healer, I don’t think it’s safe for me to speak to him about the ghost situation, especially since he’s a higher up.” Zerada cleared her throat. “I don’t believe I need to speak to him. Though, I thank you for that suggestion.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:59 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

"I suppose that makes sense." It did not make sense to Ekmeros but he would rather not admit he also saw a ghost and that had been the sign of his sickness - also because he didn't want to make Zerada feel bad for catching his sickness. Because it totally worked like that.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[2:06 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Yeah, but- Thank you anyways..” Zerada took in a deep breath. “I hope that things improve for you. If there’s anything I can do to help you, please do let me know, okay?” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[2:09 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded and smiled very slightly, more as a gratitude rather than any happiness. "Thank you. I... I am going to ask you to not tell anyone else, currently. I don't want to give the impression that I am weak."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[2:10 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“You have my word, I won’t tell anyone,” Zerada nodded. “I can reassure you that you’re not weak. I certainly don’t see you as that.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[2:11 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded gratefully again. "Thank you, again. I hope you solve your... ghost issue."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[2:25 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Thanks. I plan on getting to the bottom of it, hopefully soon.” She sighed. “Do me a favor and avoid the flower garden, okay? I’d hate for the ghost to come and scare you.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[2:30 PM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros just gave a little thumbs up as Zerada told him to avoid the flower garden. Yippee. Bonding?

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[5:25 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada offered him a small smile.

“Have you eaten breakfast yet? We can go to the dining hall- I’ve eaten already, but I don’t mind heading back over there.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[1:13 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros opened his mouth and then shut it again. "Ah- yes, I went back to sleep after mass so that would be a no. So... yes, I should go to the dining hall."

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:09 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Alright, then let’s head over, okay?” Zerada asked. “They have great food.” @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:15 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded, standing up from his bed. "Yes, I've been there before. The food is good." These guys so good at small talk.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:22 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Real good.” She motioned to the door. “So- Let’s get going then.” So good. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:27 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros nodded again and waited for Zerada to exit first - then he decided actually he'd grab the door for her, awkwardly dodging past her to do that.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:37 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Oh- Uh- Thanks..?” Zerada was a bit confused by the rush to get the door, but she figured that he was just being kind. “Appreciate it..”

Zerada stepped out of the room. @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

[8:37 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

(They really get to pass by the room as Darcy and Peregrine throw hands)

[8:40 AM]soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻:

Ekmeros followed with a nod, shutting the door behind him.

@🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[8:53 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

On their way to the dining hall, they go! @soul | peregrine 🎭 + ekmeros 🎻

zerada and the ghost

[5:25 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

And went to lay down because jesus chrIST it's been such a long ass day already.

[2:34 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

After another nice conversation, Zerada made her way back to her bedroom. God, the day felt long and exhausting already.

She face planted on her bed and stayed laying down.

@innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[2:52 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Zerada was so quick to storm into her room and crash onto her bed that she did not notice the other person in the room.

The woman, who had been sitting at her roommate's desk, moved only after Zerada was already laying face-down on the bed. She walked barefoot over to her and stood over the living woman, but didn't say anything. Instead, she waited for Zerada to notice her and let her haggard breath fill the silence of the room. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:27 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Slowly, Zerada rolled over onto her back. There was a mixture of horror, exhaustion, and slightly bitterness at seeing the entity there.

“You appear in bedrooms too, huh?” Zerada sighed. “Hi, good to see you, welcome to my room..” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[4:44 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman looked much the same as the last time Zerada had seen her- the same angular features, the same bony frame, the same deep gash splitting her chest apart. The biggest difference was how fresh she looked this time- no sag of rot or greenish hue, her face was perfectly intact with two perfect, almond-brown eyes. Her exposed organs were writhing and wet, living and pulsating with richly red blood that dripped onto the carpeted floor. Zerada could see her heart rhythmically beat, her lungs expand and deflate with every heavy breath taken.

"There is no place in this House that is barred from my entry." The woman replied, a hint of sweetness to her dry tone. "You cannot claim property of what you do not know." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[4:45 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

(also tw: gore)

[4:47 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada didn’t react to her form. This kind of violence was something she was seemingly used to.

“Right, you’re right about that.” Zerada took in a deep breath. “It’s also rude to speak to a member of the house without knowing their name. My apologies for my rudeness. What is your name?” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[4:49 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman threw her head up and burst into laughter- laughter so sharp and loud that someone in the other room would've been able to hear it. "What a fool you are, to ask such a silly question. You know who I am." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:04 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"Can you refresh my memory? I seem to be at a loss at the moment." Zerada cleared her throat. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:05 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Abruptly, the woman stopped laughing. She looked to Zerada with eyes filled with nothing but anger. "Do not say you've forgotten me." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:06 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"I haven't forgotten you," Zerada reassured. "But I would like to hear your name come from your lips once more." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:07 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Then say it. Speak my name yourself." The woman urged. "If you haven't forgotten me, say my name." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:09 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

In her pocket, her grasp on the volcanic rock tightened. This wasn't how she expected the conversation to entirely go.

She wasn't sure what the hell was the ghost's name. She had an idea, but it felt too basic that she wasn't sure-

".. Lily..?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:12 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman's face contorted into a mess of unidentifiable emotion. She stepped back, warily- the blood still dripping from her fresh wound making a mess on the floor.

"You dare," She spat, "You venture to call me what he did. Have you forgotten me, or have you come to insult me?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:18 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada bit her lip. Okay, this wasn't going well. "I have bad memory, I'm sorry. Lilian?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:21 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

At that second, presumably wrong guess, the woman let out a sick, horrid wail, almost pained but entirely grieving. She stepped back and nearly doubled over, clutching her hands to her torn-apart chest.

"You mock me!" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:27 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada sighed. Honest time.

“I don’t know you.” Zerada spoke. “Whoever you think I am, I’m not. I’m not the person you think I am.” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:28 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"You're lying-" The woman spat again. "You know me. You have to know me. If you didn't know me, you wouldn't be here." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[7:36 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"I don't know you. What can I say or do to make you believe that I'm not who you think I am? Who- Who do you think I am? Who am I?" @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:44 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"You," The woman snarled, "Are an unwelcome trespasser in this House. You are the plague that infects this Body. You are the beast the ravages, the sword and the crown. I now know this is certain. You did this to me, and you mock me by forgetting." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:09 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada wanted to be patient with this dead ghost, but honestly, it was getting kinda hard. She took in another deep breath.

"Tell me, who am I. Tell me my name." Zerada spoke. "Tell me who you believe I am." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:10 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"Tell me why I would grace you with such niceties, to call you by your name." The woman spat. "A noble name, unfitting of a wretch like you." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:16 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Is my name Yeonaixho?” Zerada asked. She stood from the bed. “Tell me- What is my name?” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:21 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman stilled but for the horrid seizing of her exposed organs. She took a step towards Zerada, then another, then another, til they were nearly touching. She stood over Zerada, then bent close to her ear. In a whisper she said, "You do not know what you wish to invoke." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:27 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada didn't move, nor did she back down. Her grasp on her rock tightened.

"I know what I wish to invoke, Lily." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:32 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"And? What is that?" The woman tilted her head to the side, not moving it an inch away from Zerada. She let cold, dead fingers trail over Zerada's arms and neck. "What is it, beloved, that you invoke?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:11 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

At this, Zerada took a step back. “I-I want to invoke the truth. I want the truth from you.” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:18 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman remained where she was. "The truth?" She repeated, almost laughing. "You seek truth?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:33 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

"I do- I do seek the truth." Zerada spoke. "Truth brings justice, and justice brings peace. In giving me the truth, I can work on serving your justice and bringing peace. Because, again, I am not the person you believe me to be. I'm someone else entirely." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:35 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"No peace can be brought to this house. Not through truth, not through justice." The woman shook her head. "It is too late for such silly games." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:42 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“It’s never too late.” Zerada took in a deep breath. ”’I will love you forever like a honeybee loves a lily flower.’ Tell me, who wrote these words to you? Tell me, who brought this end to you? Tell me, what is your name?” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:43 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman shrieked again, collapsing onto her knees. She cradled her head in her hands and tore through her hair. "Do not deceive me with such honeyed words, I beg mercy." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:45 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Then tell me, what is your name? Tell me, who brought this end to you?” Zerada demanded with a slight edge to her tone.

She did feel pretty bad for speaking to the ghost like this, but she absolutely needed to know. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:51 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman kept wailing, covering her face entirely in her hands. "Why? Why must you pursue me, unrelenting? Why must you dissect my decay? What cruelty have I done unto you that caused me to deserve this?" @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[10:53 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada was beginning to feel nauseous with guilt. She forced herself to push it aside.

“Tell me your name, please. Tell me.” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[10:56 PM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

"If you will not remember or respect me, let me rot. Let me fester under your skin and fill your throat. Let me live on through decay, or let me wither entirely." The woman croaked out. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐ (gross imagery)

[9:21 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

”I can’t do either of those things, because I’m not the person who killed you. Whoever did this will continue to force you to live in their memories, you’ll never get to pass on,” Zerada took in a deep breath. “Not unless you give me their name, the name of the one responsible.” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:32 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman kept wailing, though it seemed like even she was tiring of it. She laid her body down on the ground, wrapping her knees in fetal position. "Why do you torture me for something I do not have... why seek what I cannot give you... please, I beg mercy..." @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:37 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

“Okay, okay okay- Just- Calm down,” Zerada awkwardly tried to reassure. “Just take it easy, I’m sorry, okay?” @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[9:43 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

The woman's wailing faded into desperate whimpers. "Do not mock me with apologies." She said, finally, before letting her body fall limply backwards. Her corpse began to rapidly decompose- rotting from flesh to bone to ash to nothing in a matter of seconds. She was gone, for now. @🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐

[9:44 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada blinked a few times.

“… Okay..” That certainly just happened. Zerada definitely was done spending time in her room. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

She immediately headed out of there.

goodbye taisto

[7:50 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

knock knock knock

Someone's at the door! @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:51 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto sighed lightly, took one last look around the room, grabbed his things and headed to the door. He smiled as he opened it. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[7:52 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Behind the door was Desmondus, scowling as always. "Good evening. Since you lost your match, you are to leave the island now. First, the Hand of God would like to have a word with you." @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[7:56 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

"Good evening! We haven't met yet, have we? Nice to meet you! But yeah, I've already packed," he gestured to his luggage. Then, he tilted his head curiously. "I'll gladly exchange a few words with him. I haven't had the chance to chat with him yet." @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

[8:01 AM]innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄):

Desmonus just... let Taisto say all that, and didn't reply to most of it. "Please come with me." He started down the hall... @Twig | Taisto + Yuga

[8:02 AM]Twig | Taisto + Yuga:

Taisto wagged his tail slightly, his melancholy smile still on his face, and followed Desmondus. @innsjo (glass🎸+ darcy🖋+ npcs❄)

zerada :(

[5:56 PM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada slammed the door open to her bedroom before she slammed it shut. Her breathing consisted of short, panicked gasps for air as her body vibrated with her anxiety.

"Fuck, fuck fuck fuck fuck FUCK!!" Zerada's voice rose, raising in pitch with her panic. She could feel her mental shields crumbling down as memories began to seep in.

(Drowning, self-harm tw)

The memory was that of a terrible storm. An overturned boat, uncontrollable waves, thunderous skies, unforgiving cold- All with a young Zerada floundering uselessly in the waves. The surrounding water was red, red, red, red.

She struggled to stay afloat, as a single leg barely assisted her in keeping her head above the surface. It looked as if she was attempting to climb a ladder to escape the clutches of the water, but each wave continued to beat her down. Zerada resurfaced time and time again. Her arms and legs were burning with exhaustion, but the animalistic desire for survival kept her going.

Water forced itself down her throat, and it burned. The young girl coughed under the surface, and water continued to fill her lungs. No matter how how hard she fought, she couldn't make it. Red, red, red, red, red from her own body, red from her severed leg, it was too much, and she couldn't breathe-

She was going to die she was going to die she was going to die-

Zerada's hand reached for her blade. The texture of the blade's handle was grounding, but it wasn't enough. With a trembling hand, she grasped the hand and drove the tip of the blade into her thigh. The pain was grounding, even if the blood was messy. She definitely needed better coping skills.

Zerada struggled to take in deep breaths as she slumped against the wall. She skidded to the floor and leaned her head back, struggling to control her breathing. Fuck.

"Fuck." She exhaled.

Time to put herself back together, slowly.

[Zerada's at 22 HP]

zerada and the announcements

[6:20 AM]🌙Vanessa🌙 | Zerada⚡+ Kal⭐:

Zerada had returned to her room to relax when the overhead announcements came on. She expected to hear a fight be named, but instead, she heard the truth of the whole island. She heard the truth of the scheme and the people running it. She heard of their false God and his selfish desire to bring back his dead wife.

She heard that Kal was down under the building, powerless.

At first, there was fear, but that quickly became rage. It was rage at their dumbass hand of god, it was rage at Kal for not doing better in his match, it was rage at her for not catching onto this sooner.

“Fuck- Fuck!!” Zerada couldn’t help herself when she found her body moving towards a dresser in the room. She grasped it and forced it to the ground. “Fuck!! God damn it!”

A few good kicks to it left her huffing and puffing with rage that was simmering into a lesser intensity. She’d save the rest of this for anyone who tried to get in her way.

There’d be a fight, of fucking course there’d be one, and Zerada wasn’t going to hold back. She had combat gear, at least gear that would allow her to use her powers without anything else getting in the way.

Then, she made her way out the door.

If there’d be hell, you could be damn sure that she’d be on the front lines.