closed 🪶 i'm in the end, just what you made me.

[garudas]

Who: Benedikta Harman & others.
Status: Closed.
Where: Around.
What: Catch-all log for November.
Warnings: FFXVI spoilers. Definitely lots of foul language.

[If you would like a closed starter, please feel free to poke me over at my plotting post and we can plot something! 💚]

Comments

❄️ for jill.

[garudas]

[Benedikta already has plenty to be both worried and angry about that she doesn't need one more thing piled on top of her plate. After the disappearance of Barnabas, she had been feeling restless and agitated, unable to sit as still as she would like—which is not at all. She isn't sure what to do with herself, or what the hell she is doing out wandering the streets of Nogard some few days later. Looking for work? For something to pull her mind back from those wandering thoughts? Her fingers itch for her sword in her hand, her claws wishing to sink into something—anything—and coming up short only ever makes it worse.

Until, of course, something lands right into her lap.

Quite literally in the worst way possible.

Here she was, minding her own fucking business for once, when she'd gotten a face full of ash from her pipe when something winged and large had tumbled from the sky to drop only a foot away from her.]

What the—fuck!?

[A giant how-many-headed goose!? It's moving too fast for her to count, and the people screaming and pushing past her makes it difficult for her to get a good look. "It's back! Run!" they are saying, and Benedikta simply stares at this thing...

... And it stares back.

......

Before it gives a mighty honk, and an even mightier snap at her with one of its large bills, charging at Benedikta before she can so much as grapple with her sword. She doesn't know if she should fight it or run, and so she just shields herself before trying to wrestle it off, one head picking at her hair while the another pulls on her blade, and another pecks at her cloak.]

Get... off!

[She tries to reach for her sword, but another head bites her hand, and when she blasts it with her wind, that does nothing but make it angrier.

Benedikta would call for help if she had even a little bit less pride, but as it stands... someone might have to step in and help??? A person, or a cat, or...]

🐉 for dion.

[garudas]

[At least Eltrut is relatively tame in comparison to Nogard, is it not? At least, that is what Benedikta has found when she is not loitering around at a table in the Minstrel and Cask waiting for a bar fight to break out. And maybe she had been hoping for one when she finally did perch herself at one, but by the time she downs the last drops of her pint, she's only left feeling disappointed that absolutely nothing of interest has happened since she sat down.

She might have liked to sink her claws into a man just for the hell of it. They were itching still, even after her encounter with that fucking goose that Shiva, of all people, came to her rescue with. And a cat. Annoying as it was, that had been an interesting day. But it still didn't scratch the itch in the place between her wings, her anger and veiled panic all but wrapping themselves together into a tight coil in her shoulder blades.

Benedikta is still taking the loss of her king and the news of returning through the rifts terribly, she knows, and it is the rest of the world that would face her ire.

She leaves the Minstrel and Cask with a click of her tongue, shoving the door open with an unceremonious kick, and what happens next is entirely unexpected:

A mouthful of feathers and small plumes flying right into her face, and eight(?) large heads honking viciously at her, some stretching to peck and pluck at the feathers that line the collar of her new shirt! She thought she beat this thing!? Not even a couple of days ago!? So why—!?]

You have come back for more, have you?

[She is prepared this time—or so she thought, because the goose reaches down and unsheathes her sword and carries it in his mouth, waddling away before she can reach out and grab it. And it will be just as Dion is coming around the corner that it will come barrelling his way, blade in bill and waving about as each head honks, with a screeching Benedikta bringing up the rear—]

[tilfrosset]

["Another quiet day..." is what Jill would say if there was ever an actual quiet day in this place, but today has been quite exciting. A cat, a man comes up and pleads to her, needs a home and wouldn't Jill please take a chance on one? It's a mouser! It'll hunt bugs! Nothing gets by this furry baby! Her name is Bluetooth!

(What a strange moniker. As far as she can tell, all the cat's teeth are white.)

The man almost dumps the bundle of grey fur in Jill's arms before she can argue against it, but once she takes a look into those sweet eyes, she's gone. She already has trouble saying no to a person in need, but an animal who is practically defenseless in her mind? Regardless of whatever hyping up the cat sanctuary workers are professionals at, none of that is needed because Jill has already decided to take in the little thing, hoping that Torgal won't see it as a snack instead of a potential sibling.

But before any introductions happen, Jill needs to gather some supplies because she's pretty sure there's nothing at her apartment fit for a cat to eat especially when she used up the last of the milk in her morning tea (cats can't drink milk? Not in Valisthea. There was always a saucer for a stray and no one complained.) So with that in mind and feline in arm, she's making her way through the Nogard streets towards the markets when suddenly a commotion off in the distance yanks at her attention.

Jill isn't the only one who is concerned about the yelling and screaming. Bluetooth suddenly leaps from her arms with a deep growl that belies the gentle gaze from earlier and with ears pointing to the side, the cat lands on its feet with ease and skitters off towards the noise. Jill is in hot pursuit, calling out to the feline, only to stop dead in her tracks at the sight around her. People are running towards her which means they are running away from something and that something is... a gaggle of geese?

No. It is one goose. One single goose with multiple heads whirling around on as many necks as she can count--six? seven?--they're all moving too fast for her to get a solid tally. But that isn't the important part. What is important is that they are attacking someone, a very familiar face, and well, between Bluetooth nipping and hissing at the goose's butt and Jill's soft heart, she really can't turn around and ignore that the woman is in a clear struggle for her life.

Besides, Jill owes her one, much to her chagrin.]

Benedikta!

🐦 for joshua.

[garudas]

[Why Benedikta is on Eltrut through the "festivities" is anyone's guess. It's certainly not the crowds, which she loathes, and she has no desire to help the turtle. And though being at the campfire's side reminds her of simpler times, of nights when she would watch her men drink themselves merry, times that she yearned to return to every now and then if only because the things she felt were easier, she isn't so interested in the stories being told around these particular fires. No matter how captivating, no matter how gruesome.

Still, there is something that drew Benedikta here, or else she wouldn't be in the first place, perched someplace among the shadows of the trees.

Perhaps it had been a nagging need to take her mind elsewhere when her claws no longer worked at distracting her. Maybe it was the Intelligencer trained and hammered into her bones—where there are stories, there is information, and she did have a knack for gathering and retaining it.

Yet, despite it all, she gives herself a wide berth, a relative distance, choosing to remain hidden when that strange feeling of emptiness washes over her again. It had been coming and going since that day she could no longer feel his presence... when she learned the truth of this world... and her eyes are listless as she watches the green wind dance between her fingertips.

Only until there is that sharp pang in the back of her neck—that telltale sign of another Dominant nearby, and she folds her fingers over her magicks to put it out. She glances around, spotting Joshua just as he passes the tree she sits in.

He'll hear her voice call from above, though it lacks the usual sarcasm or disinterest she typically bears. Truly, it lacks... anything.]

You are enjoying the flames, I take it, Phoenix?

[dragoonoflight]

[ Dion's day was going pretty well as far as his days go and he's run a few errands, picked up some more tea because despite being on the seas this long he was still getting queasy now and again. Unfortunate, that.

What he's not expecting when he turns the corner is to be startled by a goose coming at him with a knife.

He doesn't drop the bag in hand but he does jump backwards, landing and taking stock of the situation.

It's coming right for him!

He didn't even known the geese here could wield swords. He unsheaths his halberd and turns his attention. ]

Back, beast! I'm warning you! [ He actually has yet to notice Benedikta, it was more alarming to have a goose trying to kill him. ]

[phoenixdominant]

[Much like Garuda he takes solace in the darkness. Joshua finds the glow of a campfire to hold a special sort of comfort just as much as it staves away the cold chill in the air. The way fires glow in the darkness reminds him of harder memories now blurry in the back of his mind and of comfort that for a long time that's all he knew. How strange that Joshua still feels drawn to such things.

Her presence nearby has him looking up from the fire. He glances up in her direction as her voice carries like a sharp knife. Joshua merely sits back slightly. And in his palm, a small flame dances and plays.]

I am, actually. [Joshua starts with a soft reply.] There's something that feels like home in the flames.

[...]

Would you care to join me?

[The question is genuine. There have been some questions lingering in Joshua's mind about Garuda lately. Ever since that night, they found how their priming abilities have changed. ... However embarrassing.]

[garudas]

[While she says nothing, there is a light thump in the grass after several long moments of a silence so heavy that it may sound as if she'd simply left. But her boots trample over the dried leaves, and there is a wind that brushes the fire. She isn't even sure why she is accepting his invitation—it's not as if she has any interest in actually befriending the Phoenix considering who it is she knows he associates with, but...

If she is being honest, she hasn't found a reason to loathe his company yet.

And 'tis true—they have much to talk about now that the throes of battle and bloodshed are done. Perhaps a good distraction will serve her since the rest of this place has done a piss poor job of it.]

Not many would dare invite the damned harpy to sit by the fire.

[They all frown and snap their teeth at her instead. As if she gives a shit, she just snaps right back, but Joshua is the only one who hasn't.

From behind him, he'll hear her lighting her pipe and inhaling softly.]

You've yet to bore me with your surprises.

[And here she is, slumping on the upturned log next to him, though unlike him, Benedikta faces her back to the flames.]

[garudas]

[Attempting to fight off a goose with wind is a fruitless endeavor. Somehow, when it beats against its enormous wings, that only gives it the advantage, lifting it off the round far enough that another head can grab at her hair until there are two bills tugging and pulling on it.

But now something else seems to have joined the fray, and she's not sure whether she's grateful for the feline that sinks its teeth into the goose's tail because the eight honks that echo through the streets and even louder in her ears are insufferable and distracting.

And that is not even the worst part.

No.

The worst part is that Benedikta recognizes that voice, and it is one of the very last voices she would want to hear ever, and most of all, at a time like this. When she is being pecked and nipped.

The head that had gone for the hand by her blade takes interest in the handle of it instead, and it clamps down and tries to free it from its sheath. Meanwhile, the rest are all whirling around at Jill and the cat.]

Don't just STAND there!

[Alright, she can let go of some of her pride to "ask" for some help before those heads decide that Jill's hair looks much tastier than her own and they try to drag her along with them.]

[garudas]

[That poor halberd is no threat to this ungainly beast. One of its heads simply stares at it while another stares at Dion, its wings flapping uncontrollably, before a third head tries to snap at him and grab it for itself. Who would have thought that a dual-wielding goose would be the most eventful thing on Eltrut today...

Made that much worse by Benedikta Harman coming in behind them, looking as vengeful as ever, if not a little bit weary. If her shouts don't give her away, that blast of aether-filled wind certainly will, but all it does is shove the goose further at Dion.

And when she notices him—]

Put your weapon away before it takes it too, Bahamut!

[dragoonoflight]

[ The goose is pushed closer to him and one of the heads takes the opportunity, grasping onto the staff of his halberd and giving a good yank. Dion is taken off guard between her shout and the goose itself and so he fails the opportunity to pull it back.

Now the goose is indeed running around dual wielding. ]

Blast it all. [ Dion mutters and moves in persuit. ]

Halt! Beast!

🏴‍☠️ for zoro.

[garudas]

[Ah, good. A near perfect distraction. Finally, something that isn't an eight-headed goose that Benedikta can wrap her claws around. Even better that it takes her as far away from Nogard and Eltrut as possible—those leviathans were beginning to feel cramped, and she needed the space to spread her wings a little. Figuratively and literally. With all that pent-up tension sitting square between her shoulders, it's no wonder that she was feeling restless.

Which is why she's here, perched on the deck of the ship, seated with her legs dangling precariously over the rails with her pipe between her fingers. She can see the silhouette of the island ahead up against the darkened gray skies, and while some may think it eerie, even terrifying that a storm looms so close, Benedikta is fond of this weather. The overcast clouds, the way that the brisk moisture clings to her face, the light buzz of static in the air with the promise of a storm...

It reminds her of home. Of the decks of the Einherjar in all her glory, though this particular ship holds no candle to her.

And all would be perfect if it weren't for that noise in the distance.

Clicking her tongue, she tosses her head back, lights her pipe, and gives it a puff.]

I swear I will rip out their throats if they do not shut it by the time we arrive.

[Said to no one in particular, or to whomever might be standing or passing by.]

[garudas]

[Well, Dion won't have to run very far because the goose is indeed turning back around to go after Benedikta, now with both the sword and the halberd in its grasp, and at this point, she's afraid to ask if it has more hidden under those enormous wings.

She reaches a hand out in an attempt to grab her sword, but the head with the lance swings it around, forcing her to take several steps back to dodge it.]

I am not sure what I did to deserve this...!

[In case he was wondering.]

But—augh! Fuck! [She retreats when one beak bites her hand.] Any ideas, your Highness?

[dragoonoflight]

[ He wasn't actually thinking that Benedikta did anything in fact, but there is a goose on the loose, and much like her attempt to grab her sword, his attempt at grabbing his lance back is equally fruitless because the goose seemingly tries to stab him. A leap back out of the way avoids him getting nicked.

Fantastic. ]

I see no other alternative. [ He raises a hand, summoning a ball of light and sends it towards the goose instead. Unless it is magic-resistant, they might be in trouble. ]

[triple]

( it feels almost like cheating, being on another ship. zoro's parked by the rails somewhere along the deck, looking all the more like he's made himself at home — swords braced against his chest and his arms loosely curled around them, dozing. the lack of laughter and shouting and the scent of good food in the air almost feels jarring, like he can't quite manage to allow himself to fall completely asleep.

yet, for as odd as it all feels, he couldn't bring himself to just stay and do nothing. somehow that feels even worse; makes him feel antsy to sit around while there's some kind of bounty to be collected. plus, this one sounds like something he should keep around since chopper isn't here.

so, he's at least relaxing for a little bit, but then that distant howling begins and it's really fucking annoying. his brows pinching is the only indication he's not sleeping as peacefully as anyone might think. he hears the complaint come and he slowly blinks his eye open and stares at nothing for a passing moment then stands, tucking his swords in at his side as he looks toward the island. )

I think they feel the same way.

( is there excitement gleaming in his eye? yes. )

[tilfrosset]

[Somehow, Jill is wholly unsurprised that Benedikta is still very demanding and rude in the midst of being attacked. Simply saying the words "help me" is probably beyond her, yet Jill is still making a beeline towards the goose because she isn't going to wait for that two-word phrase to fall out of Benedikta's mouth.

The goose isn't seeming patient enough for that either as Jill eyes one of the heads aiming for the sword so she slaps it away with as much power behind her hand as she can muster up without actively hurting the animal. It doesn't seem to do much but anger the bird enough to have one of its many heads peck Jill in the side of her head.]

Let go of her!

[The cat isn't being ignored as another head cranes the long neck it's attached to and gives a great big honk directly in Bluetooth's ear which earns a loud growl and a sharp tooth snap in response.]

⚡ bite-sized consequences

[ramuhs]

[When Cid used the Ring of Returning after the "power test" against Dongfang, he had hoped that he would bring the injured god with him so he could heal up in private. Unfortunately, his...current size rendered the attempt useless, so he ends up popping into his apartment on his own.

Sighing with some dismay, he looks around and once more tries to shift out. But it's as if he doesn't even have enough power or energy to do that, instead still stuck in this form. It's not something he's ever heard of...granted, he's fairly certain there have never been instances like this until arriving here, with Joshua being the first and now him the second. Not to mention Dongfang sharing that energy, which adds another wrinkle to this puzzle.

Honestly he would have thought being drained of energy would have automatically shifted him out like it usually does, and yet he's still like this instead. A different kind of side effect? Well, not much he can do but wait and try again later after he's regained some of his strength. He does feel weary, but—]

Bollocks—Ash! Oy! I'm not some toy or prey, dammit!

[His cat has set her eyes on him, and whether she recognizes him or not, she's trying to pounce at him, jumping from here to there on the numerous ledges he's installed since "adopting" her. He's able to fly and even blink away with his teleports, but he couldn't zap her even if he wanted to.

Finally he reaches the window, somehow managing to push it open it and then closing it so she can't escape. Sighing, he stares at his cat with an unamused expression, the way she's just sitting calmly with her tail curled around her before she gets up and goes to her tower a clear indication that she knew all along.]

Chased out by my own damn cat.

[Muttering under his breath, he floats over to the next window over, to see if Mid is in, but the windows are dark. Not surprised, she likely went out. His next instinct is to look up to the green birdhouse a few floors above before slowly ascending up. Perching himself on top of the roof, he stares through the window, catching the shadow of the occupant inside.]

I'll never hear the end of this.

[Another mutter and a sigh before he extends his beard (this is still weird) and taps his staff against the glass.

Tap tap. Tap tap.]

[garudas]

[It had certainly been an eventful... first week of the month. Her King leaving was the start of the downward spiral, and then after that, it involved several goose attacks and unexpected meetings that turned into even more unexpected conversations. And everything involving Cidolfus in the middle of it all—hearing about his plans to show off his prowess with a man he didn't know, and then finding him in the gallows and nearly reawakening Garuda...

Needless to say, Benedikta is tired.

Tired enough that, in spite of her restlessness, she's decided that a day in to rest would do her some good. She's spent every waking moment away from here and her shoulders feel heavy, her wings weary.

She is in the kitchen brewing a pot of tea when she hears a tap tap against the window and at first, she ignores it, clicking her tongue thinking that it must just be a bird looking for food—she does need to refill that bird house a little bit, but she would need to fetch new seed first.

...

But then there's another tap tap seconds later, and Benedikta whirls around.

Fine. Maybe she can spare something for the poor things so that they can rest and then be on their way. So, she grabs a bag of bread from the counter and wanders over to the window to pull the curtains open...

...

Only to find...

What the fuck even is that?

Cid will just be met with an arched brow and a confused stare from the other side of the window.]

[ramuhs]

[He was about to tap the window again when the curtains suddenly draw back, and now it's his turn to stare at Benedikta strangely.

Why is she holding bread...?

There's will be a second as silence passes through them before he just waves his staff with his beard.]

[garudas]

[What sort of bird is this and why is it looking at her like that...?

But she swears she recognizes that staff after a few more moments of them staring at one another through the pane of glass...

...

.....

She squints, and that's when the recognition finally sets in and she swings open the window so fast that the breeze from it could knock him from the birdhouse if he isn't careful.]

Cidolfus?

[ramuhs]

Hut-to—!

[A small sound of surprise as he is indeed almost knocked over, his little body teetering back in the wind as he flails a bit. But then he manages to right himself and clears his throat.]

So, funny story.

[And by his voice, yes it is indeed Cidolfus.]

[garudas]

[Oh for the love of—

Nope.]

Absolutely not.

[Before he can give her that "funny story", Benedikta simply slams the window shut and walks away. Her tea is waiting. Bye, Cidolfus.]

[ramuhs]

—Wait!

[He instantly flies forward when she slams the window, tapping again at the glass.]

Benedikta!

[garudas]

[Did he forget what she had said on the phone the other day? Because why does she have a sneaking suspicion that this is related to that? Well, it doesn't matter—she doesn't want to deal with whatever this is. Not now, not ever.

So, she will grumble and curse under her breath at the tapping on the glass before she is inhaling slowly... and pouring her tea.]

[ramuhs]

[No he did not forget— So he just sighs as he watches her for a few seconds before floating back to the birdhouse, returning to sit on the roof with his back to her.

Well.

This is a problem.

Should he try and find Clive or Jill? Joshua? Check the workshop for Mid? But ugh, flying... It was already tiresome doing this much.

Well for now, he'll just continue to sit, eyes closed as he just tries to regain his energy. Perhaps if he waits long enough he'll be able to shift out again, so if he rests out here for a bit and then return to his apartment...

But just as he's thinking that, he feels the change in the air, the cool winds blowing past, forcing him to look up. And then—

Drip.

Drop.

Drip.]

....

[As if to mock him further, rain starts to fall. It's just a light drizzle, but really? It again makes him sigh, head lowering as he stares down at the street below to watch everyone quickly scatter to find cover. Honestly—the rain feels rather good. After using all that energy, feeling the cool water against his skin was refreshing. Not to mention he never minded the rain—enjoyed it.


So whenever Benedikta happens to look out again, she'll see his tiny figure still sitting on the top of the birdhouse, shoulders hunched and head down, water droplets dripping from the end of his beard. It's a sorry sight to be sure—even if he's relaxing quite well.]

[garudas]

[Tea now secured, Benedikta's gaze slowly moves back to the window to see if he's gone, and... when did it start raining?

From where she stands in the kitchen, she cannot see the bird house or him, but she does wander to the window, her feathers still incredibly ruffled that he thought to show up anyway despite her warnings not to. Even after everything that happened in the past week... no, because of it, she only felt angrier that he would still go through with it. After the gallows, after their long talk in that room...

As far as she is concerned, he deserves whatever he got.

It is a little surprising that he would have such a small form, too... and she thinks back to not even a fortnight ago when she witnessed the Phoenix transform into a chicken. So she would be lying if she said she wasn't somewhat curious, given her own circumstances with a certain loud bird that rattles her ribcage every now and then still, her aether not quite having come down from the day she found Cid.

...

And again, she finds him as she tugs the curtains back to look up at the gray skies. She would love this weather a lot more if it wasn't for the tiny Eikon perched on her birdhouse looking as dejected as a kicked puppy in the rain.

Ugh. No. She will not humour such a thing. Nor will she encourage his heroing any longer.

...

But he looks so pathetic out there like that.

....

Close the fucking blinds, Benedikta. He will leave eventually.]

...... For fucks sake.

[Cid will hear a sudden, sharp click from behind him, and the window swinging open.]