October Catchall

[acheat]

Who: Jarlaxle and You
Status: Open
Where: All over, including the ocean!
What: Catchall for event stuff and whatever else might happen during the month of October.
Warnings: Smut's in here eventually RIP


Spirited | Nogard/Naughtilust]
[He's normally a little... eccentric, one could say. He's typically very energetic, so him being out on the town, specifically haunting every tavern, brothel, restaurant and entertainment establishment he can get into isn't necessarily strange!

It's really more the fact that he doesn't seem to be getting tired any time soon. Or perhaps it's the fact that he's been sitting here, talking, knocking back drink after drink after drink, and doesn't look like he's ready to call it a night at glass number seven.

Or maybe it's the endless, breathless, excited stories of, what else but,]

I would never lie about a ghost, look me in the face and tell me that I have the seeming of a liar.

[With his one visible eye over bright, the drow not even trying to put on a more serious face; that grin is as bright as it is wide, his words crisp and clear despite the tankard sitting in his hand half empty.]

They're far less terrifying than you've been lead to believe, I assure you. Intoxicating would be the better word for it, if I had to pick one at all. I wouldn't even say that they even appear frightening, unlike the spirits I'm familiar with from home. I've half a mind to go back out and find at least ten more before sunrise.

I'd be keen on company as well, should you have the heart and guts for it of course.

[You don't wanna be a big baby do you?]

[Bounties]

[Two texts appear on the shellphone, hours apart from the other.]

[first]

Seeking: fishing party for day excursion. Spoils to be split evenly between all members. If interested please respond to this message for further instruction.

Bring your own weapon. (*ˊᗜˋ*)/ᵗᑋᵃᐢᵏᵞᵒᵘ*

[Because that's a normal thing to ask for a fishing trip right]

[second]

Any thrill seekers out and about? Which one of you are interested in spicing up a boring evening with a little bit of specter spotting?

Potentially specter dispelling, it depends on if the spotting part is accomplished or not.

Comments

wildcard - post-birds

[partybabysitter]

[ Xenk has been to the Elah Conservatory, as it is a beautiful place! And while he's out there, enjoying nature, he hears... well. He hears the birds saying some inappropriate things in Undercommon, and what might be Elvish, though Xenk can't be totally sure.

A text is indeed forthcoming. It's one of those typed letters because the matter is somewhat time-sensitive. ]

Dear Jarlaxle,

Did you perhaps visit the Elah Conservatory recently? I have been witness to several of the birds repeating rather indelicate words in Undercommon, and perhaps Elvish, which leads me to believe that you may be the culprit.

Kindly confess,
Xenk Yendar

[acheat]

There's a great deal of people here, Xenk. Plenty more that I'm sure neither of us have met.

While I understand your suspicions, I must insist upon my innocence.

[He didn't do shit. At least nothing he's gonna admit that easy.]

[partybabysitter]

Jarlaxle,

The words were specific to a mutual friend of ours. In which the birds complimented his virility, among other parts of him. Will you make me pen these words, to cement your guilt? Or will you confess, as I have requested? While I do not speak Elvish, I can thus assume the words the other spoke was of a similar nature.

Patiently, though growing less so,
Xenk Yendar

[acheat]

[The reply takes a bit. Not because he's really thinking about what to say, or because he's at all alarmed here.

No, it's gonna take a hot minute for him to stop laughing so hard. Please hold.]

I believe the correct terminology is 'type' when it comes to the matter of the shellphone. Penning is an entirely different action.

If I'm to say anything, whether it be an admission of guilt or a declaration of my innocence, it shall not be over text. It's far too impersonal and nuance will be lost.

[Also never admit to anything in writing ever.]

Should you be so inclined, we may meet to discuss these matters further.

[partybabysitter]

[ Caught using wordplay!! How scandalous. ]

Forgive me, I spoke in metaphor. A misuse of language that should not have occurred. I am nonetheless amenable to a meeting, if this is what it will take.

However, unless you remain in Elah, it will take several days for me to travel to you. Should you remain in Elah, your guilt is all but assured. What say you?

- Xenk Yendar

[acheat]

I'd ask if you're really willing to make a several day long journey to meet me all for the sake of a few dirty words.

[Is he still on Elah? Is he in Nogard? He's definitely implying the latter, but it might just depend on the answers he gets here.]

I'll admit, I am a touch concerned however. Were I to confess to a crime like this one, what would you do to me?

Private to Astarion

[acheat]

[There's a text here]

Do you consider yourself an aesthete? I've this fascinating form of rope art that I just had the pleasure of observing, and I would love nothing more than to share it with you.

It's very enlightening.

[subigito]

I'm all pointy ears. Tell me more, darling.

[acheat]

It's an ancient kind of artistic bondage, for lack of a better word. Patterns are made with rope across the body of the receiver, with the caster tying intricate knots to secure them, making for an ornate sort of restraint. Consider it a sort of sensual form of artistry, with a focus on both binding and appearance.

It's a very striking look, I will say. My mind has been set alight with all manner of inspiration.

[subigito]

Sounds like fun. And you'd have the benefit of getting to look at me to your heart's content.

And I can't exactly leave you alone with those thoughts, can I? Where would you like to do this?

[acheat]

An impossible task, but I will just have to accept that I'll never get to look at you for long enough to sate me.

You are, as always, an obliging saint. Perhaps somewhere more known to you, if of course you would feel comfortable enough to invite me over.

Bounty the second; text ; id: cursedwords

[cursedwords]

Sounds like my kind of party, I'm, in.

[ Please, ghosts aren't going to scare him. ]

I wanna fight the guy that gives you unlimited candy!

[ For...reasons. ]

[acheat]

A brave soul you are indeed. I've heard the rumors that you get unlimited treats upon vanquishing him, I'm keen to see if they're true myself!

[What's he gonna do with an infinite candy bucket other than eat candy? Does he need more of a reason than that?]

Meet me then at the docks, that seems like a well enough place to start. I don't suppose you might happen to have any radiant weaponry? Knowledge in exorcism? Even if the answer is no it matters little, we'll think of something.

[cursedwords]

[ He's going to stuff himself full of candy with his best friend which is the best life decision he can make. ]

I'm used to dealing with spiritual curses, have cursed energy and can exorcise them.

[ He might be pretty useful. Or not. Hard to say if this ghost will behave in expected ways. ]

I'll meet you in I don't know, fifteen minutes. I just have to grab something.

[ He's purchased something that could help in this occasion. Maybe. ]

[acheat]

Well, that's quite handy isn't it? Then we should have no trouble at all handling a single specter.

[Jarlaxle's gonna be optimistic! He's almost entirely positive he's handled far worse than a ghostly walking pinata.]

I'll see you shortly then!

[And upon the docks he'd be! Not looking like he's carrying anything particularly different of course, but who knows what he's got ready to roll. After all he still has at least ten items left in that bag of holding.]

[cursedwords]

[ Toge does have everything he needs on hand but he also shows up, sneaking up behind Jarlaxle because, frankly, he's a bit of a brat. ]

Saaaaaalllmmooooonn~

[ He waves his hands in a spooky way, he's also thrown a blanket over him that has two eye holes.

Yes. That's what he purchased.

Worth it. ]

bounty the second

[theleadingman]

Thrill seekers, you say? You have my interest. I do so enjoy a bit of spice— this sounds far more interesting than another evening spent at the tavern, and that's even before considering the potential reward.

I take it this is regarding a certain "Headless Pumpkin?" I'd say it sounds ludicrous, but I've seen stranger things, I suppose. The real trick will be talking the petitioners into paying with dubloons rather than sweets.

- Balthier

[acheat]

The payment is the joy of dealing with the creature! But if some coin would sweeten the pot more than a pot of sweets, candy is terrifically popular and you're about to come into possession of a never ending bucket of it. You could always sell the contents.

[He thinks he's funny.]

[theleadingman]

That sounds suspiciously like work, but the thrill of the hunt will offset that a bit, I suppose.

[Selling candy? That almost sounds like earning money honestly!]

If you'd care for my gun at your side, I'm sufficiently interested. Where shall I meet you?

wildcard, the day after the masquerade

[subigito]

[ Apologizing to Jarlaxle may be one of the single hardest things he's had to convince himself to do in a long time. What he had done had been completely out of line. Not just refusing to stop drinking from him when he'd asked--that, at least, he could blame on the hunger, as amplified by the moon--but the fact that he'd tried to lie and manipulate him by guilting him.

Astarion hates flowers, but he's got a bouquet in his hand (lucky him that they were still on Eltrut where it was easier to buy them). Purple hyacinths, white lilies-of-the-valley, pink roses. The greenery in the bouquet are all leaves that could be used in healing potions.

He knocks on the door of wherever Jarlaxle has stayed for the night, trying to look nonchalant and not clutch the poor flowers so hard that they wilt themselves. ]

[acheat]

[An inn, the same one they'd had their first night together in, no less. He'd not picked it for any specific reason, though the memories had been pleasant nevertheless. Chances were good he'd not paid much attention until he'd realized just what place he chose.

By the time sunrise had come, he'd attended to the bite, the appropriate salves applied and a bandage wound neatly around his neck. A bit sore yes, but otherwise perfectly bearable. In truth, Jarlaxle had expected a text first, maybe just a text period, something that would allow for a bit of a shield between the two of them. After all, directly coming to speak with him after what had happened the night before? Incredibly difficult, he was sure.

So the knock at the door took him off guard, and he hesitated for a moment, checking the shellphone first before he'd actually get up to answer it. Nothing, and he doubted Kimmuriel would bother knocking. Really only two other people it could reasonably be, couldn't it?

The exacts were confirmed when he did so, and while he tried to settle his expression into something neutral, the sight of flowers, of all things, revealed the genuine level of surprise to actually see Astarion here in person. Briefly, a small mess of emotions flitted across the drow's face, concern and scrutiny among them as he looked the other man over. The one that lingered longest however was decidedly far softer than any of them, sentimental, before it neatly slipped behind that calm, neutral mask.]

... Thank you, for coming. [For he knew how hard that undoubtedly was.] And not empty handed besides, though you didn't need to.

[Not that he was refusing the bouquet, a small smile ruining the look of detachment he'd tried and failed to maintain.]

How do you feel? With the moon no longer overhead.

[subigito]

[ Well, it was already going better than his worst case scenario, where Jarlaxle might just throw him out. Given that Jarlaxle had asked him to speak with him, he figured the chances were fairly low, but a low chance was still a chance.

Jarlaxle is one of the few people he knows better than to think he can read correctly. A better rogue than he is in every sense of the word, and likely the only person in this world who could out play him. But still, he catches those glimpses of his expressions, at first unsure if that look of scrutiny was positive or not. At least until that sentimentality slips through.

But if Jarlaxle didn't want to show it, if he didn't want to seem sentimental, maybe it didn't matter. He had every right to be mad at him, to be detached and put distance between them. Astarion won't give more weight to something Jarlaxle doesn't want to show than something he does. Even lies ultimately had their reasons for existing. ]

It didn't seem right not to.

[ Not to come, not to bring something. He offers the flowers to him (please get them out of his hands he really will ruin them) and hesitates before answering the question, since he's still out here in the hall. ]

May I come in? [ and then, he quickly tacks on: ] Not that I physically require an invitation, to be clear. [ Not like he had, when the moon had been full and red and forcing him to confront his vampirism in a way he hasn't had to in months. Also, it's daytime, so that should be another sign. ] Just for the sake of propriety.

[acheat]

[He'd relieve him of the flowers, even took a moment while he had them in his hands to adjust a few of them just so, his motions careful and delicate. For all that he was doing to keep from showing too much on his face, he certainly didn't seem to mind showing the appreciation he had for the gift.

Jarlaxle stepped aside as Astarion asked to enter, gesturing in for him.]

Of course.

[Yes the fact that he stood here in the daylight was proof enough that the moon no longer impacted him physically, at least. The grimness in the mood didn't sit well with him, but it was expected, really. Even he couldn't quite bring himself to inject the usual amount of levity into it all. The flowers were gently laid upon a nearby table, him making a note to find a proper vase for them later.]

It's not simply for proprieties sake that I thank you, I should add. It would have been easier to send a simple message over the shellphone.

I appreciate the fact that you would come speak to me face to face instead.

[subigito]

The shellphones are far too impersonal for something like this.

[ He steps in and closes the door behind them as Jarlaxle places the flowers on the table. He's not a big fan of the shellphones in general, preferring letters to them and in person interaction more than that.

But also, this is especially important. ]

I feel much better now that the moon has gone back to normal. I can only imagine that destroying that tombstone on the ghost ship helped too.

[ Honestly every single word in that sentence is still wild, but is it any wilder than Act II of Baldur's Gate? No. ]

But under the influence of the moon or not, it doesn't excuse my actions. [ He takes a breath here. It's clear he's practiced this, and even still, it is not easy for him. ] I apologize for my behavior.

spirited - can't believe I'm the first to touch this prompt

[strung]

[ Alucard doesn't dare to think he knows Jarlaxle well enough to call his behavior "off", but he's more frenetic than he has been in the past. The two of them are friends right now in the way that the two captains of two opposing sport teams are friends - Alucard respects the man and will go shopping with him any day, but he will absolutely take an opportunity to get on top between them when it comes to a team moment. In this arena? Jarlaxle is winning. Jarlaxle stomped him in a non-magic Capture the Flag competition, though Alucard would love to think it was something a little more flirtatious than just beating his ass athletically...

Right now? He's participating in the story, listening, though he's masked behind scales of blue rimmed in silver - a dragon laced over a man with a handsome smirk for Jarlaxle's tales. ]

You absolutely have the seeming of a liar...

[ He'll challenge, from somewhere in the back of this audience. The crowd parts and allows the dragon-masked man to sidle on down the line towards the drow. He's dressed well, a waistcoat beneath a long jacket. He's put on some effort to look good tonight, but Jarlaxle will doubtlessly be able to note the outfit has the subtle sort of cuts that will allow for mobility once he's gotten close enough to volunteer. There must have been some sort of anticipation of problems. ]

But I'd still love some guts, whether it's for this moment or anything else tonight. What do you think is going to make the night worthwile?