september catch-all (open!!)

[partybabysitter]

Who: Xenk Yendar + YOU
Status: Open!
Where: Eltrut, Elah, Nautilust(?)
What: Open prompts for Manta board shenanigans and anything else that comes to mind.
Warnings: Probably none unless you flirt really hard

[ Prompts below!! ]

Comments

Bottle Voyage

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk isn't really one to ask for advice, but the endeavor seems harmless enough! Besides, if they're anonymous, maybe he can put a little more vulnerability in them than he might usually.... ]

1.

To whomever finds this letter,
How does one make friends?

2.

To whomever finds this letter,
Do you ever fear that you will forget the faces of your parents?

3.

To whomever finds this letter,
Would you share something of your home, even if that home is known for great horrors?

[ They're ALL like this. Oops. ]

2

[lordofcalamity]

I've already forgotten. My sister is the one who raised me, then her husband after her death.

What I wish I could forget is the look upon my village's faces after I accidentally killed them.

[partybabysitter]

It seems as though your life has been marred by tragedy. I am truly sorry for your loss.

To accidentally kill a village is a heavy burden. If I may ask, what were the circumstances that led to to their demise?

cw: child murder, mass murder, vore

[lordofcalamity]

I live in a dangerous world.

They were all tainted by Malevolence, turned into daemons. After my brother-in-law sacrificed my little brother, I was also changed, and in my rage, I struck out when they attacked me. All of them looked like monsters, it was until after I absorbed their Malevolence and lives, that they appeared as themselves again.

oh berseria

[partybabysitter]

So you bore a curse against your will. And the people as well...

Though the words of a stranger may ring hollow, I am sorry for your loss. I understand this sorrow better than you know.

Know that you are not to blame for what this foul curse led you to do. These manner of curses often rob their victims of free will, changing them into mindless beasts. It does not make the suffering easier, nor does it make the memory linger any less, but one can take some solace in knowing that their actions, and even yours, were outside of your control.

This brother-in-law of yours seems to be the true demon in your tale. To what ends could one sacrifice family?

1!

[starshower]

Well, this feels like a pretty good start, doesn't it? Reaching out anyway, even when you have no idea what you might get back?

[partybabysitter]

[ Oh, it feels so weird not to sign these or address them, but he's gonna keep trying! ]

I suppose this is one method. "Casting many nets" as the saying goes?

[ Perhaps he meant "casting a wide net." It's an unsigned letter, he can butcher colloquialisms. ]

I fear I am not well-versed in maintaining friendships. In the past I have held others at a distance, and am thus concerned that I may over correct now that I have decided that friendships may be worth attaining.

[starshower]

[It's close enough that she doesn't correct him. If anything, it does make her smile a bit.]

To be honest, I don't think there's such a thing as over correcting when it comes to maintaining friendships. Far as I'm concerned, the ones that are worth maintaining are the ones that won't think of it that way.

Besides, over correcting is just another way of saying that you're a good person, you know?

[partybabysitter]

This is true. A friend accepts one as one is, is this correct? I have heard such adages in my travels.

I am unsure. Being a good person requires care, certainly, but it is possible to be one without having close friends.

» 2

[tilfrosset]

I have not thought of my parents in quite some times, so perhaps the answer is no. They have long since passed and I didn't live with them for almost half my life to begin with.

[partybabysitter]

I imagine this to be a common sentiment. I lost my parents at a very young age, but I have held their faces in my heart and mind for over a century.

Unfortunately, I fear the edges and angles of their features may already be blurred by the passage of time. Of course, this is a natural occurrence, yet I still feel a great sense of loss when I consider that I may no longer recall them one day.

[tilfrosset]

I cannot say when mine passed exactly. I just know that the Blight took all of the Northern Territory where I was born and them with it. By that time, I had become a ward of the Duchy of a neighboring nation and I was not overjoyed about it in the beginning. It got better, though. The Archduke treated me kindly and no less than his own sons. His face is what I remember over my own father's for that reason.

Which is why I will ask, what if you remembered their love most of all?

[partybabysitter]

I am sorry that you bear such loss. I hope their spirits can find solace to know that the family that raised you did so with kindness and care.

My own parents' love is what I carry most with me. The work they toiled was thankless, and the coin in our home was sparse, but I was fortunate to have enjoyed my time with them. Never did I want for food or drink,. They are all that was good in my homeland. They and the others like them, deserved not the fate they fared.

1.

[seasaltkeys]

Well, uh, usually it's finding that you have something in common with someone. And hanging out and talking about it. Or just hanging out and talking.

[partybabysitter]

[ The anonymity means Xenk is a little harsher than he might be... ]

I am aware of how one meets others, and indeed how one engages in revelry.

But how does one know when one has truly become friends with another? I do not wish to presume familiarity.

[seasaltkeys]

I think you just...sort of know. But you can always ask.

I had to, with my friends. And he said we were.

[partybabysitter]

Asking is an option... though I fear there are those who would deny it. People are complex creatures.

I have lived for over a century and met countless allies and contacts in my travels. Do I count them friends, if I know I will meet them only once? This is the question that troubles me.

GENERAL MANTA PROMPTS

[partybabysitter]

I. SEAHORSE WHISPERERS

[ Xenk knows a thing or two about horses -- at times he's called his own steed with his magic, but the real things are gentle creatures with calm hearts. He finds these seahorses are no exception. ]

Shhh, be at peace. You are safe.

[ Xenk holds his arms out as he approaches one of the massive seahorses. He's been given a halter to hold for later, when the beast has calmed. For now the creature whinnies and splashes in the shallows, ears pinned back as it eyes Xenk angrily. Xenk remains stalwart, calm even as the seahorse bucks and brays. ]

Be at ease. All will be well.

II. DOCKSIDE REPAIRS

[ Xenk is hard at work helping out with repairs by the docks. While earlier his strength helped him carry boards and barrels of supplies to an fro, he eventually found his way to the medical bay, his hands aglow with healing as he laid hands upon the sick and wounded.

Alas, even Xenk has his limits. His magic is finite. Late into the night, Xenk can be found by the remains of the docks, kneeling in silent prayer. The moonlight casts him in an enchanting glow, and he stands still as stone, lips moving as he beseeches Tyr for further aid.

The only question is, will Tyr answer? ]

🌊🐎

[fractales]

Have you tried offering food?

[A soft and careful voice a moment after Turo popped back up from under the water, where he had been pulled along and under by one of the more spirited seahorses and gone for something of a 'tour' of the area's edges. It was fine, just something playful, full of energy as some of the seahorses were.

Dressed only in that body-suit he had arrived in which was.. perfect for this.

He did keep his tone calm, a hand brushing damp hair back into something resembling his usual style.]

Apologies if you have.

[partybabysitter]

[ Oh, hey! It's Turo! Xenk turns his head in time to see him. Ah, it should come as no surprise that Turo would be observing the land's native creatures. Xenk offers him a smile as he nods towards him.

The seahorse in front of him is still watching him warily. Xenk continues to stand his ground, though he turns his head to speak to Turo. ]

I'm afraid I do not know what manner of food the creatures consume. Kelp, perhaps?

[fractales]

[Honestly- this was the best time to be had, actually being able to do something like this.

There was a friendly smile in turn as Turo took a moment to find his feet again, rather than simply floating. Careful of his own movement when he took noticed of just how wary the seahorse was. Better to keep the space there and allow for much better chance-]

Kelp, various other seaweeds, and at times the small shellfish that can be caught up in them. The rare bit of fruit that may fall off of ships as well is a nice treat.

[He had spent a good amount of time around the young seahorses already.]

[partybabysitter]

I should not be surprised that you are so knowledgeable in this subject.

[ And so helpful! Xenk steps a little further from the seahorse before him. He'll have better luck with a treat, he knows how horses can be. ]

Perhaps I will find something to offer the creature, before we proceed... Lest I incur their wrath.

[ An angry horse does not a good friend make. ]

horse girls;

[strung]

[ Alucard knows how to ride a horse, of course. His upbringing had garnered him a wide array of skills - though not, ironically, any of the ones he ended up using the most these days. He wouldn't call himself an equestrian, though the truth was he was probably intermediate in terms of skill.

But he was pretty sure ears back meant one aggressive horse. He's standing waist-deep in the water, watching Xenk make his attempt with his arms crossed over his chest and one hand stroking his chin in the way that says he's expecting a show might just happen. His friend is a talented man - more talented than most, even - but sometimes ornery can't be bargained with. Sometimes the energy is just too much.

Also, Xenk is his friend, so he has to talk a little shit. ]

Five dubloons says that thing bites you.

[ Alucard is probably about twenty feet away at most, so he doesn't need to raise his voice.

He has his own halter slung over his shoulder for when he eventually makes an attempt. Right now, he wants to make sure Xenk succeeds at his... or at least doesn't lose the seahorse in the waves. He's already thought up a few different scenarios for employing his magic if need be, and in fact has already begun to implement at least one measure.

An arena of ice has begun to ring their shore, a creeping glacier that started from the edges and is now beginning to complete its semi-circle - at least above water. If any of the horses think to dive out at the moment, they'll be free. But given a little more time, Alucard will be able to make a barrier all the way down to the sand. Granted, he's not trying his hardest to make it happen, though there's some definite moisture pouring down his brow that has nothing to do with the heat. ]

[partybabysitter]

[ You know, Alucard. Xenk was almost happy to see you! Almost! No, that's not true. Xenk continues to be happy to see Alucard.

He just maybe wishes he'd prepared Calm Emotions before he left to do this quest this morning. That would make this much easier. Instead, he has to charm his horse the old-fashioned way. Which Xenk is perfectly capable of. It just takes patience.

Patience that it seems Alucard is willing to employ in an attempt to do the same, albeit through different means. ]

Betting is wasteful.

[ He says that, but he doesn't not take the bet, you know? Xenk reaches out with his hand again, lowering himself so that he is less intimidating for the horse. The creature seems to regard him warily, ears flipping their focus between Xenk in the immediate vicinity, and Alucard in the distance. The distraction is to Xenk's favor, as it allows him to step closer. ]

There now. All is well.

[ Okay you know what, Xenk can Create Food and Drink, and this RP so I'm gonna say he used that to conjure up a bland but otherwise appetizing-looking carrot. Because creating 45 pounds of food would be ridiculous.

The horse regards the carrot. It is unclear on if these horses actually eat carrots or not. But Xenk is perhaps about to find out. ]

[strung]

[ Welcome to the shitshow of having a somewhat long-term friend, Xenk. Male or female, there's almost certainly a pal on the side just being a little gremlin, perhaps also the hype man, for your endeavors. Alucard isn't quite 'gremlin' permanent in whatever Paladin friend group or elsewise is forming here, but he can certainly provide that when it comes to doing some silly shit between them now. This can and will probably make some memories, though he'd prefer his spicy shrimp debacle to be forgotten personally. Maybe the two of them can negotiate when all is said and done.

It will certainly favor Xenk that Alucard, in the immediate distance, is being relatively still and not being an asshole. He's solely just talking shit, and at a comfortable level to not scare the horse as much as goad his friend. Alucard regards the carrot like the seahorse does.]

He's gonna bite that finger... You'd just take it, too. I know you would. You'd let him chomp it up. We'd have to call you Ixenk Yendar.

[ Cuz one less finger, X going to IX and all. ]

I think you should just try to jump on his ass if you're gonna get bit and go for it. Look at him. He wants to run. He's pent up.