escordvi | manta board + may catch-all

Entry tags:

manta board + may catch-all

Who: eizen and you!
Status: open
Where: various places!
What: manta board quests + catchall for may!
Warnings: will add as needed!

a. maid day mayday.

[celebrations and traditions can be a damn good time. eizen's not one to jump in on the fun of dressing up as a maid, however. sitting by the bar with a glass of good whiskey and watching the entertainment go on had been more than enough for him.

that is, until some of the bar staff approached him with a request. some of the guys here were getting WAY too handy. most could be dealt with but one seemed to escape notice after said touching. the vanishing perv. someone needed to catch this guy and teach him some manners. the bartender said eizen looked like he'd be a perfect fit for the teaching role. eizen couldn't disagree, especially not with the promise of some free drinks for the hassle.

the best way to land a big fish is by using the right bait.

anyone who comes into this particular tavern will quickly notice one of the maids is especially tall, especially muscular, and is in the process of slamming a guy face-first into a wall with arm twisted beind their back.]

Bold of you try that with the Reaper. Want to test and see if you can do the same thing with a few fingers missing?

b. sipping on seaweed.

[impressive. that's all staff who created these teas can say as they watch on. most people try a few teas and call them bad and leave or actually find a good one. nothing new. what WAS new was someone trying to drink one of their teas and failing. there's no better word for it.

eizen came in earlier because this seemed like a simple enough of a quest. figuring out which brew sounded best shouldn't take too much effort. true to that, he actually found one that smelled good, sounded good and even looked good after brewing. it needed to be measured out JUST right and then steeped JUST right, as teas tend to require. upon request, he did as much himself using a very lovely tea kettle and cup set. but ah, the effort of doing it himself was worth it! the result smelled divine. eizen grinned triumphantly at the brew. this HAS to be delicious. as he lifted the cup to his lips--

it shattered in his hands, drenching him in hot tea. no worries. he only brewed it somewhat hot so the burns were minor. those can be worried about later. he got a second cup of tea--

and the cup had a hole in the bottom and spilled all over the table. ok. usual bad luck no worries. he grabs a PERFECT cup and as he reached to pour the rest of the tea, a random sharkgull flew into the store and specifically picked up the tea kettle with the rest of the tea and then flew away with it all within the span of 5 seconds.

the staff was impressed by this ungodly level of bad luck and agreed to bring out another kettle for him. said second kettle exploded as soon as the tea finished brewing.

and, just as the third kettle of tea finishes brewing and eizen reaches for it, it... spontaneously combusts??]

Oh, are you kidding me?! How the hell can TEA catch fire!?

[reaper's curse, sure, but come the fuck on!]

c. elemental energy survey.

[gathering elemental reactions. why not? being a malak means understanding elements better than most. factor in this is kaveh's request and eizen's happy to help out with that. within limitations of his curse, that is. thunderstorm outings will end up with him eating a face full of lightning sooner rather than later and any water outings are a flatout no. the easiest and safest route ends up being going out on a more windy day to gather some wind energy. wind, unlike say water, is fine.

as fine as it could be, at any rate. the butterflies, overloaded by the energy, end up spazzing around and zooming all over the place. them moving around like little bullet trains beats explosions. if you're not careful though, one of these littles might slam right into you!]

d. wildcard.

((ooc: if there's anything else you'd like to do, let me know on plurk

Shaorune or the game discord!))

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[Zack's not really one to wear dresses- or at least no one has managed to get him in one. Yet. But he is wandering into the tavern just in time to see Eizen towering over that poor bastard who got a little too handsy. He snorts and grins and crosses his arms.]

Yo! Doing a little spring cleaning, are we?

[Hey, Eizen. Long time no see. Need a buddy to help you out?]

[the familiar voice gets eizen to glance over a shoulder. he nods in greeting. sup, zack, it's been awhile.]

Yeah, you gotta tidy up every now and then or else the trash gets out of control.

[his gaze turns back toward the trash in question.]

Even if this trash wasn't the one I was hoping to clean up.

[a lech this may be but not the lech. this guy got caught way too easily. shame for him since he's not only getting kicked in a second but also very likely has a dislocated shoulder thanks to eizen. deserved, though.]

[Sup bro from another armada.]

Yeah, if you don't keep on top of it the trash starts to stink.

[And that's why Zack gives this lech a good stink eye too. Just where are all these lechers coming from?]

Where's the rest of the trash?

[Zack won't be pulling on a maid dress like Eizen right now (but he would rock that outfit) but he does intimidate the offender by cracking his knuckles together.]

That's the million gald question.

[you know what? eizen's getting a little sick of just pinning this pervy guy to the wall. so he casually lets go of that arm and backs off a bit. the guy looks utterly confused as he feels that pressure gone off his harm. the guy starts to turn around--

only to immediately be greeted with eizen's fist slamming into his face. time for him to take a lil nap on the ground.]

There's an especially rancid piece of trash floating around. Been trying to sniff it out, but haven't had any luck yet.

[he turn to fully face zack.]

At least not with that particular trash.

[a couple others have been found and taken care of, but not the biggest one.]

Nice shot, man.

[Zack is pretty impressed with that right hook. Remind Zack never to get into a fistfight with Eizen.

Speaking of looking for the rest of the trash... Just as Eizen finishes his business there's a loud "EEEK!!!" from across the tavern room. A girl is screaming as if she was just groped by a piece of trash right this instant. Zack turns and cracks his knuckles again.]

Looks like we got our first lead to finding out where the stink's coming from!

[He heads that way quickly to see a grungy leery old man with his hand up a girl's maid skirt. Zack doesn't hesitate in grabbing him by the back of his neck and pulling him back.]

Alright, asshole. Who said you could touch anybody around here.

[shame eizen doesn't have any time to appreciate the compliment. that 'eek!!' causes his head to snap over in the direction it came from. sounds like another ass who can't just enjoy the festivities normally. is this their target? is it just another perv? either way, eizen's rushing over right behind zack.

the guy drunkenly slurs out something out about how 'it's all part of having a good time and they need to lighten up'!

eizen snorts.]

A good time, huh?

[what a pathetic thing to say. needless to say, eizen's not impressed by it.]

If it's all about having a good time, then let us show you our own definition of a good time.

[the intimidating tone and body language ought to heavily imply it damn well won't be a good time for him.]

[The man cowers quickly and puts his hands up to try and pathetically cover his face. He shouts, "Please don't hurt me! Let me go! I won't do anything! I won't touch them again! Please!"

That's about the right reaction to two big guys shaking you down. Zack lets out a satisfied huff. He doesn't let the guy out of his grip though.]

We'll let you go. If you tell us who else around here is getting a little too handsy.

[hats off to the guy, he's one of the brighter drunks eizen's had the displeasure of dealing with. not all of them are smart enough to realize when they're in a losing battle.]

Especially the grab-and-go ones who manage to slip away before anyone catches them.

[the drunk repeats the phrase 'grab-and-go' as if it's some sort of high-level calculus problem. it takes a second, but his brain finally catches up with his ears and his face lights up when that happens, 'ah, that guy! i dunno his name, but he's got this blond-hair, yeah? and a couple missing front teeth. was wearing some red/blue thing last i saw.'

eizen quirks a brow.]

Red and blue thing?

[all that comes from the guy is a nod. obviously his description doesn't need further elaboration!]

[The colours don't give much of a description but some guy with blond hair and missing some front teeth is pretty telling. So, he'll let go of the drunk with a shove.]

Alright, get out of here. And if you're wrong about that description you better hope you still have your front teeth when you wake up tomorrow. Get out of here.

[The drunk man wails and topples over on the ground.]

So, we're looking for some idiot with some missing teeth and a red and blue thing. That kind of description makes me think he's probably still somewhere around here.

[thus one perv gets acquainted with the ground. one down, but at least one more to go. eizen shifts his attention from the guy and back over to zack before bringing a hand up to his chin. he gives a thoughtful hum before speaking.]

More than likely. He's probably got a big head after avoid getting caught for this long and those sorts of guys don't tend to call it while they're ahead.

[the gambler's fallacy. a classic.]

That's also when they're most likely to slip up and lose it all. All we have to do is get him to take that gamble again.

[and as long as the guy isn't too picky about how big and burly his maids are, eizen's already dressed for that part.]

Huh. Yeah.

[Zack has a think.]

That means we should bait him out, right? And since you're dressed for the job maybe you're just the guy for it.

[He grins and pats Eizen's shoulder. Bro. Get sexy. Lure out that perv. Zack will watch his back.]

[that grin gets the flattest look and then accompanying sigh in response.]

Yeah, that's about the direction I expected things to go.

[from the start, honestly, when he got approached about things. what better way to lure out a bear than with honey? granted, part of him hoped it wouldn't come to that, but part of also him knows better than to hope about things going his way.

well, might as well got it over with. he fiddles with some parts of the outfit to make sure it's at maximum-sexy level.]

Let's just hope the guy's taste encompasses all maids, including 6 foot tall male ones.

[which he has a feeling it does. zack, bro, eizen is counting on you with that back-watching.]

[Zack snorts, his face scrunching for a moment as he tries to keep his amusement to himself.]

Yeah, Let's hope. But don't worry, man. I'll be watching your back.

[Good luck, Eizen... Because there's probably going to be a lecher that tries to grab his ass and doesn't care whatsoever that he's over six feet tall and bulky.]

Whoa?!

[Helping out with the tea seemed simple enough so Sorey was happy to give it a go. Not that he is necessarily some expert but even so. He isn't necessarily expecting the other's tea to cause such chaos. Edna might have vaguely mentioned, and so had Eizen, about the curse and his awful luck but it's really something else to see and experience it in person like this.

Sorey starts at the fire, quickly getting some cool water from the jug that was just there for a cold drink, not one that had been boiling for the teas, and brings it over, trying to help pour some to help put out the fire, draping a cloth over it to try smother it.]

You okay? That was...unexpected!

[that startled, familiar voice ends up getting a cool glance over from eizen. sorey. it's been a while since he's talked with the shepherd. in all honesty, he hadn't been in much of a hurry to. someone who associates with his sister --as much as he dislikes the idea of edna traveling with this guy-- doesn't need to be bugged by his curse if only because of eizen's own fear that it'll somehow get back to edna.]

No, this is about what I expect. This is how the curse usually works.

[he makes an irritated face down at the newly charred teapot.]

And it isn't always this mild.

This is....mild?

[Vaguely hearing stories about Eizen from before, from Edna, and actually encountering it with this whole bad luck thing is. Something else. Sorey isn't sure what to make of it exactly. But he can only imagine how difficult it must make things for the guy. That's. Rough. Jeez. The guy just wants to figure some tea?]

[eizen just gives sorey a flat look.]

No one's dead, dying or missing limbs, nothing's chosen right this moment to attack us, and the building --along with the surrounding area's-- still in one piece: yeah, mild.

[if edna hadn't shared all the details about the curse, eizen is more than happy to. there's a reason he got as far away from edna as possible. given that sorey's love of history and such HAD scored him some points with eizen that more or less balanced out the fact the kid's hanging around with edna, eizen's not all that keen to get him needlessly hurt, either.]

I guess it could have been worse but still. This is...I'd heard about it a little but I guess I hadn't actually seen, experienced it. The whole cursed luck thing Edna mentioned.

[It's gotta be rough. Not just on Eizen but others around him potentially being impacted or at risk, in danger from it as well. Sorey is starting to notice that more. As much as he tries to be optimistic. As much as he tries to see things in a better light. He wasn't quite anticipating this.]

Sounds like a lot....

[so edna had mentioned it then. good to know. it saves him the hassle of going into a detailed explanation.]

Because it is a lot. Anyone who gets caught up with me gets caught up with the curse by extension and not all of them are lucky enough to make it out alive.

[the van eltia crew lost SO many good sailors all thanks to him. the fact that whole crew is as mad as their captain that they'd be fine with keeping a cursed malak around after seeing said curse in action is a rarity, if a rarity eizen appreciates so much more than he'd ever let on.]

You'd do well to keep that in mind, Shephard.

[it's a warning --a genuine one-- to sorey. eizen doesn't care enough to actively push sorey away if the guy engages with him, but he will damn well make the cost of being around him clear.]

Even if it might be risky. That's okay. I mean. Things back home were kinda dangerous and risky anyway? Being the Shepherd and all. So. I don't mind. I mean, obviously it's also up to you, how often we see each other as well. Not just me. But. I mean, it's just the two of us. From home.

[And of course, part of him figures he can at least keep checking in with Eizen. For Edna's sake. To make sure he's doing alright. Well, as alright as he could be expected, considering everything? Not that Sorey figures to bring her up, to bring her into this. Eizen had gotten a little more intense last time he had mentioned her name, so he figures to just keep that part to himself. Even as he thanks the staff for trying to help with the tea situation.]

[that response ends up easing some of the tension from eizen's shoulders. his leans back in his seat as he coolly regards sorey.]

If you're leaving charting our course to me then fine. Just remember, you made the call.

[which is where eizen will leave that particular topic. if the kid is used to risk and accepts this level of risk then fine. at least edna's with someone who has a bit of a backbone. ...though he better not be dragging her anywhere dangerous with that sort of heroic tendency.

ah, that reminds him of something he'd been meaning to ask. like sorey said, it's just them here and one of them happens to be significantly ahead in time.]

What were things like back home anyway?

[beyond what they've already talked about being implied.]

I'll remember. Besides, it isn't like I'd blame you, not like you can control this bad luck. Of course you wouldn't want to be dealing with that if you could control it.

[So it's fine. Sorey is of course mindful of it but he would never blame Eizen for it. And he didn't get the chance to really get to know him properly back home, besides bits and pieces from hearing of him from Edna and all. So. This is his chance. He may as well make the most of it. And Eizen was the only sort of familiar face around here from home among everyone.]

Hm? Well, was there anything in particular you wanted to know about?

[Sorey isn't sure if there might be something specific Eizen was curious about or if he just wanted to hear about things in general.]

I only really recently left my village back home before ending up here and all, so I'm not sure how detailed I would be in trying to answer but I can try.

[the sentiment is actually appreciated, but not entirely necessary. eizen doesn’t much care whether or not he’s blamed for the curse. some do, some don't and either or he can handle. that said, sorey being of the latter is surprising. not many people choose to no place blame on the cause of a curse.]

How about we start with you. Tell me about the esteemed Shephard and his journey and the details of how he came to meet my sister.

[if his tone got a tad harsher at the end, it's cause it did. listen, edna is free to make her own choices, but her traveling around with sorey is something he's still iffy on. hence why this seems like a good starting point for their chat and a good way for eizen to fully confirm that Edna's in good company.]

Me? Ah, well. I guess it really started when I left my village to warn the princess, that is, Alisha, that someone was going after her, after they had followed her after she got lost in some ruins nearby and I helped her, let her stay in the village for a bit. The village was attacked, and after that I left. I wanted to make sure she was okay. That's where I ended up meeting Lailah at Alisha's kingdom, when I went to Ladylake and finding her, making the contract to become the Shepherd. I did know a little about what it was supposed to entail, from records, from ruins I'd explored a bit. But I then left with her to travel. To help out where I could with purifying, with helping against the Malevolence. That's when I went to Rayfalke and I met you, met Edna there. Where we met Zaveid.

[He isn't sure how much detail to go into. But Eizen can always ask if he has questions. Wants to know more about something. Sorey just initially figures explaining briefly, so Eizen gets the idea at least. Not that he needs to go into detail about how it's been rough at first with adjusting, learning his limits and figuring control with this whole Shepherd thing. He's not so sure on the other's experience and knowledge of the prior Shepherds.]

[just as sorey starts talking, the staff brings over another kettle and some more ingredients. good timing. it gives eizen something to busy his hands with while listening. let's see if this next batch will end up being the winner.

thus he starts working on mixing while listening as sorey speaks. some notable words pop out. ladylake must be a new city that cropped out over the ages (not unexpected). purification of malevolence is definitely something to have a longer chat about. good place to start so--

ah-- hold the hell on. eizen's gaze snaps over to sorey.]

Wait, Zaveid? What the hell was that bastard doing up on Rayfalke?

[that's too damn close to edna for eizen's liking. like ok, him and zaveid have their beef and that is what it is. any understanding and whatnot involved with said beef begins and ends when edna might get mixed up with things. if so much as a hair on her head got hurt because of zaveid, so help him.]

He was fighting you? Edna told him to stop. He said....for some, salvation is death.

[Probably referring to their promise. That Zaveid would help Eizen by killing him. Not that Sorey is able to see it that way. That it is so easy a thing for him to accept. That there really is no way to help Eizen. None at all, beyond having to kill him in that form. Still, he does pause amid the new tea arriving.]

But don't worry! I mean. He didn't hurt Edna.

[eizen's brow shoots straight up at that. salvation is death? zaveid said that? that sounds almost the polar opposite of what the malak is about from eizen's experiences. time changes people, but for that sort of change to happen... just what could've caused it?]

...You're saying he was trying to kill me.

[the tone that's said with isn't one of anger but one of confusion. of all the people, for zaveid to be the one to try to put eizen down is genuinely surprising for a myriad of reasons.

and of course edna would try to stop him... she's too sweet a kid sometimes.

a heavy sigh escapes him as he leans back in his chair.]

I never imagined I might actually owe that guy one for trying to take me out.

I don't necessarily know the history there. With you two. With Edna only having told me bits and pieces. I'm just telling you what I saw when I first met Edna and you up the mountain.

[He just gathers it sounded like that was Zaveid's way of helping. Trying to spare Eizen that fate. Being in that form after being consumed by the Malevolence. Sorey isn't sure he knows enough to really say if that is the answer. But he's just the messenger. He wants to help somehow if he can. He's just unsure if his abilities, his purifying would be enough or if there is some other way besides just killing Eizen.]

We just share a common interest at the point I'm from, nothing special.

[not a lie. they both have a connection to aifread and that's where eizen's going to leave that. sorey doesn't need to know the details about that whole mess. the fact that eizen has been avoiding giving said connection more thought because he knows the inevitable outcome but wants to deny said outcome also adds on to that lack of wanting to share more.]

But I appreciate the information. It's good to know someone is trying to do what needs to be done, even if it happens to be Zaveid.

Right. I'm....glad to help?

[Sorey isn't as sure on how much he could help. It could have been a long time in between their memories. Given that Eizen is a seraph and all. Compared to Sorey's mortality, his measly seventeen years at that. But if what he knows might help, he can at least try. Answer questions and explain what things were like from his point in time sort of thing.]

Um, want me to help with the tea?

Hey, now that's pretty rock and roll!

[The words boomed out from a big giant... golden bear!? No, it's not a bear, it's just Kintoki, grinning brightly at Eizen. At least someone seems to find these mishaps amusing? He's never seen someone struggle this much over tea before! Not even certain oni he knows had that many problems.

But this guy... it even caught on fire!]

Never got to see someone cause this much destruction from just carrying around tea.

[Or hot water! It's kind of cool, and Kintoki sort of wants to know the secret so he can get out of any future tea ceremonies he might be forced into.]

[at least someone's having a good time. shame eizen can't say the same. he'll glance over at this guy while the staff rush over to put the tea-fire out.]

Nah, this isn't any thing special. The building's still in one piece and nobody's dead. [a beat.] Yet, anyway.

[the staff actually pause to give eizen an '...are you serious???' look.

and he is. it could happen. while the chances with something bad happening to that extreme are low with something like tea-tasting, they're not technically zero. reaper's curse works like that. who knows, armed bandits can burst in next attempt and get that body count going up.]

[Kintoki is the type to almost always have a good time.]

Nah, that's what makes better! It's like... what's it called? Culinary presentation thingy.

[That's totally what it's like. It's like setting fire to alcohol as you serve it. Just with tea. How one does something like that, he still doesn't know. But hey, armed bandits suddenly bursting in and doing whatever hooligans do at a tea shop, would make this whole scene complete for Mr. Golden!]

Heh, gives it a whole 'nother kind of flare beyond just boring, old tea.

I'd take boring, old tea if it meant I can drink a damned glass of what I brewed.

[he's all for culinary flare but only if that flare means he can enjoy the culinary creation. whatever he crafted HAS to be good for the curse to deny him the taste of it to this degree. eizen makes a face, one that's a mix between a pout and a look of determination, at the scorched spot on the table before he turns toward the staff.]

Hey, bring out another kettle!

[the staff all look at each other before doing as asked and going to find said kettle. it may be futile, but he's nothing if not stubborn.]

Either you luck out and get another show, or I luck out and get to drink it.

[...even if he's not holding his breath for the latter.]

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manta board + may catch-all

maid day mayday 🧹

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B sipping on seaweed

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