[OPEN] Love Shack

[soul_mods]

Characters: OPEN
Location: Nocturne Bazaar
Rating: Gen… Maybe. Don't do anything you wouldn't tell your mother about!
Time: April 3rd, April 4th
Description: The "attraction" was quite the hit last time. Who will you find yourself shacked up with now?

The island the Bazaar sits on is certainly big, but who thought they'd be able to fit an entire river on top of it? The line for the ride is just as large as you'd think it'd be, and it's been split in two with a tall screen to prevent people in both sides from seeing the other.

The staffers operating the line don't seem to care about making it grow; they're literally pulling people unlucky enough to wander too close and shoving them in a line before they can protest. You could try to get away, but the rest of the crowd's pushing impatiently forward and before long, you're up.

You might as well just get it over with. Hopefully the company's nice.


((ooc; this log takes place over both the first day and the second day. please use the subject line indicator [ NAME | DATE | OPEN/CLOSED ] and keep in mind that during the second day, characters will likely be under the effects of growing madness!))

Comments

/covers eyes, shoves at

[lezard_valeth]

[It was one thing to be kicked out of a carnival attraction for causing a violent disturbance... but it was another thing entirely to be shooed away for being extremely unsettling. And here he'd thought he was sitting in rapt attention, listening to that shoddy fortune-teller try to scry his past, present, and potential future.

It was the grin, wasn't it?

But Lezard had had enough of the carnival. Having seen what he wished to see, he was prepared for the trek back to the gondolas, to return to Death City and retire for the evening. But that was when hands grasped his cloak, causing his eyes to narrow and his hand to raise instinctively; for a split second trying to conjure a swell of magic power and cast a bout of punishment for the fool who dared--

--And he was unceremoniously shoved into the line, colliding with his partner for... whatever attraction this was.]

XD Well, this is going to be more than awkward...

[vintage_magic]

Aaah! [Even without the difficulty of high heels, Lily teetered off balance when someone collided with her from behind and off to the right. Throwing an arm back, she grabbed at whatever was there to keep herself from falling over into a small (but terrifying, considering her current attire!) puddle on the ground near the boarding area for the boats. That something turned out to be the hood of Lezard’s cloak. Her fingers closed franticly over the fabric and she used it to pull herself back towards safety.]

[Not yet turning to see who had bumped into her…] Dag nab it! Watch where you’re going!

[lezard_valeth]

[Everything happened quickly- colliding with another figure, watching her stumble, a hand snatching out for his hood, tugging on the clasp that pressed against his throat, driving out an embarrassing gagging sound from him... and he needed to breathe! His arms snatched out and took hold of her, pulling her upright. 'Dag nab it'-? Oh no--

Lezard brought a hand to his mouth to stifle a cough as his airways were freed of that painful pressure.]

It would appear that the overseers of this wretched carnival are 'playing for keeps', as they say.

[Ugh, he sounded a tad bit hoarse. He stifled another cough.]

[vintage_magic]

[Lily sighed in relief after being pulled back upright. If she hadn’t been so worried about not toppling over, the witch might have recognized the familiar vibrations of the fabric bunched in her hand. But it wasn’t until she heard that voice for a second time that evening that she realized whose hand was on her waist. Letting out a groan that rivaled the ones when Aidan suggested she practice her scrying, she loosened her grip on the hood and turned to Lezard with a suspicious frown.]

You again! Are you following me? [She would have preferred fruitlessly staring at a black mirror in a dimly lit room to seeing this annoying sorcerer again so soon.]

[Lily was beginning to agree with his assessment of the carnival as ‘wretched’ though and completely ignored the cheerful employee who urged them to step into the boat.]

[lezard_valeth]

Oh, no... I like to think 'tis destiny that guides me to you, although I would prefer destiny not manhandle me to do so next time, ha ha ha!

...Ah, yes, well... what on earth are we in line for, anyway?

[And he'd find out when he was grabbed again, and Lezard could not bite back a brief protest in Old Norse before he realized that his usual demeanor had momentarily slipped. A brief mistake, and little more - he silenced and lost in his struggle, finding himself perched atop a silly-looking swan-shaped contraption.]

[vintage_magic]

[Lily was not amused at the idea.] Destiny must have a strange sense of humor. And not a very good one.

[As for his question, it was answered when another carnival employee picked her up.] Wait a cotton-pickin’ minute! I’m not going through the Tunnel of Love with that man! [Despite her protests and trying to squirm out of his grasp, the worker just laughed and told her to enjoy the ride as he hoisted her onto the swan, next to Lezard.]

[Lily glared at the carnival employee and straightened her mussed dress, tugging the strap that threatened to slip off her shoulder back into place. She grumbled...] It’s a ride intended for couples. [...which she might have enjoyed if she were actually with someone she liked.]

[lezard_valeth]

[Tunnel of Love? My, how obscene that sounded! Lezard would be laughing were he not just slightly perplexed with how on earth this whole thing was supposed to work, and he hated not knowing.

But Lily was plopped down next to him, and Lezard's hand shot to some sort of handlebar when the vessel began moving, heading toward a pair of curtains that the swan's head would part. ...Also obscene. The sorcerer had to snicker, especially considering the intention of the ride.]

Because a swan is the most romantic of creatures, what with the infernal noises they make when they are through attempting to bite you for so much as looking at them.

[He shrugged. Really, swans were wretched. But, he was curious for what this Tunnel of Love had in store.]

[vintage_magic]

I take it you know from experience? [There was a faint trace of amusement in her voice as she had a mental image of the sorcerer being attacked by a flock of angry swans, the birds pecking at his fingers and nipping at his cloak.] I think they’re supposed to mate for life…

[Lily had pretty good night vision but even she could hardly see anything once they sailed through the curtains. And she wasn’t entirely comfortable at the thought of being trapped in a tiny boat in a dark tunnel with Lezard. She wondered…]

[Turning a palm face up, she pictured power flowing through her and out of her hand as she mumbled a brief incantation.] What is dark be filled with light; remove these spirits from my sight.

[…and nothing happened. No orangey red glow as she hoped. Darn.]

[lezard_valeth]

[Lezard said nothing, which probably said everything.]

Hmm... is complete and utter darkness intended to be romantic as well?

[He turned his head when he heard something. In the dark, he could faintly make out a lifted palm before the figure next to him. He recognized an incantation when he heard one, and rest his chin in a hand. As expected, nothing happened.]

[But before he could open his mouth, very pink lights flickered on, revealing painted set pieces along the walls of the tunnels. There were cupids, starry skies, and sweeping, overly-romantic music playing over speakers nestled away behind the sets. Oh look, a pair of swans shaped in such a way their necks and heads formed a heart.]

...Is this truly what love has become in this day and age?

[Wait. That tone was unusual. Was Lezard dropping the sarcasm for a serious question?]

[vintage_magic]

[Lily blinked when the lights flickered on, revealing the scenes that decorated the tunnel walls. At least, it wasn’t dark anymore. But it looked like the creative director of a greeting card company had gone to town in here.]

[Huh? Was he actually asking seriously? She glanced over at Lezard and didn’t see any of the usual sarcasm she would have expected in his face, which was tinted a rather ridiculous shade of pink from the lights. But then she supposed they didn’t have things like frilly Valentine’s Day cards in pseudo Scandinavia.]

Not hardly. It’s the stereotypical things people associate with romance but I doubt it’s what anyone thinks love is really about. It’s much more complicated than that… [Especially for a witch like her. If it were that simple, maybe she wouldn’t have broken up with Max… There was a sigh as they floated past a collection of large glittery pink hearts edged in lace doilies.]

[lezard_valeth]

Hmm. [There was still plenty of the future he knew nothing of... but to sit in a strange carnival attraction such as this, passing it off as a 'tunnel of love' seemed awfully strange to him. Lezard wasn't entirely worried over the treatment of a complicated, yet base human emotion, but there was only so much sarcasm could quell. Sitting up straight, he ignored the music and the sights, turning instead to his companion.]

So that, at least, refuses to change. What good would love be were it so simple?

[He couldn't help but think of Lenneth... ah, but to pine for the dead was no good, was it?]

...To what end is the word defined for you?

[vintage_magic]

Then, I guess you should know how difficult it can be for those of us with magic, who aren’t normal. [Or maybe not… It had sounded like magic was more accepted where he came from and not thought of as freakish or fiction by the majority of people. Yet, his words made it seem like he had his own issues with relationships.]

[But did she really want to talk about love with this man? A sorcerer who she normally couldn’t hold a conversation with without it degenerating into sarcastic remarks and bickering. He’d probably mock her for her folly, just like Aidan had. Even she was starting to think the situation with Max was hopeless.]

[Lily turned away, a small slump to her shoulders as she peered over the edge of the boat and into the water.] You’re probably asking the wrong woman. I don’t do well with love and have a history of driving away all the people who care about me.

[lezard_valeth]

Suppose you were not the wrong one as you so claim, and your gift was not outright wasted on those who seek to turn their backs on you. ...What then, my dear?

[With a devil-may-care shrug, he gestured a hand to the silly cartboard cut-outs and the little puppets dancing hand in hand all around them, followed by a comical smmmmack of a kiss. Lezard could hardly pay attention to the idiocy of the tunnel at this point.]

I, for instance, covet love. While it was not my magic that prevented-- ...

[He fell silent, rubbed his chin in thought, before that mischievous grin formed again.]

--Ah, yes, it was my magic that angered her so... ha! Well, I suppose you would be correct, then.

[vintage_magic]

[Lily stared at the dancing puppets, feigning interest in the scenery. She didn’t really want to talk about this. It just reminded her of how out of reach her wishes were, for someone who would accept and love her naturally, free of enchantments or ulterior motives.]

Anger? [She turned back, raising an eyebrow at that grin. Lezard’s talent for annoying her made Lily wonder if he had used his magic to play tricks on the lady he had fancied. Or…] You didn’t try to cast a love spell on her, did you? It’s not right to enchant someone into loving you!

[She might have sounded a bit too indignant about the idea. Ever since Max Carmichael first walked into her shop, she herself had been very tempted to cast such a spell, to try to control him. But that would have been highly inappropriate.]

[Hesitantly, she added…] He couldn’t accept my magic, that I was a witch, even after seeing me exorcise demons… And I wouldn’t deny that part of myself for him.

[lezard_valeth]

As entertaining as that idea was, a love spell would never work on a goddess... [He shrugged carelessly.] And all spells of the sort only lead to an unstoppable obsession, ever onward as a growing madness. No, she was merely angry with me, for the older, near-forgotten magics were reserved for the gods themselves.

[So there was a man, but he seemed none too keen on coupling with a witch.]

Nor should you. They say two ought reach a compromise. Of course... I would ask nothing of you~

[And he leaned forward in rapt attention.]

Save for stories, anyway. Do regale me with tales of your exorcism of Hel's pitiable beasts.

[vintage_magic]

[Lily gawked and it took a few seconds before she managed speech again.] A goddess? Literally? [Lezard had given her the impression of being presumptuous but attempting to woo a deity? The man must have had an ego the size of Texas! And it was true that the stronger love spells only produced mindless obsession; she gave them a wide berth although she had created a simple love charm at a customer’s request, just something to give the other person a nudge.] What kind of magic? Trying to replicate ancient spells without the proper knowledge and training is dangerous.

[And Lily leaned away. She didn’t trust him that much and this new information didn’t really help his case.]

There’s not much to tell. A spirit kidnapping children and dragging them into the bay with her. And a demon that had been sealed in a closet at an art school getting loose. It’s not my normal line of work and I reckon you know more about dealing with demons.

[And there were small incidents like Sitri sending mares to harass her—fortunately, it had only taken walking around the room with an amulet and a bit of chanting to send them away—but she certainly wasn’t going to tell him about having to kick uninvited spirits out of her bed!]

[lezard_valeth]

The Goddess of Fate. A Valkyrie, specifically. [He noted with a chuckle.]

Ah, teleportation magic, for starters. Most of my stronger spells are also outright forbidden from use by humanity as well. The gods had felt that we as humans are not ready to wield and be responsible with said magics, but I myself am living proof that it can be done: My studies of the old arts, my careful practice has left he able to cast whatever it is I wish without the threat of my very soul being torn asunder, or my mind to shatter to pieces. Though most would jest the latter has all ready happened.

[A cheeky grin.]

...Demon extermination is not a new line of work for me, indeed, but all in the supernatural sway of things are bound to have interesting stories.

[He paused for a beat.]

A spirit kidnapping children... that rings something of a bell. Had I not seen something to that effect on that Mission Board in the school...?

[vintage_magic]

[She blinked.] A valkyrie? As in those women on horseback?

Teleportation? But that’s impossible! [Or at least, she had never known of anyone being able to perform such a feat outside of fiction. She eyed him with suspicion, thinking of her father…] You didn’t make a bargain with a demon or something, did you? [That was an almost certain path to spiritual ruin. No wonder Brunnhilde had been upset with him…]

[Lily didn’t find the sorcerer’s claims very reassuring and leaned as far away as she could, considering the small amount of space in the boat.]

I wouldn’t know. As I’ve told you, hunting demons isn’t my profession. [And she wasn’t in the habit of climbing all those stairs without good reason. Still, a small frown formed at the thought of another spirit stealing children.]

[lezard_valeth]

[He laughed at the thought of making a bargain with a demon, leaning back in his seat upon the silly floating swan of wood.]

Is it truly that preposterous that a mere human could acquire the magic crafted for the gods?

[Hmm, and he ought to look into the Mission Board. His curiosity demanded it.]

[vintage_magic]

[Irritated by that laugh, Lily crossed her arms and looked at him severely.] Yes. In case you forgot, magic isn’t normal where I came from and I was considered a freak. All the townspeople shunned me growing up. They tried to exorcise me when I was a teenager. Even my own mother was scared of me!

[She wondered how much longer this stupid ride would last as the swan drifted past a wedding tableau. As soon as it ended, she intended to get away from this shady sorcerer and return to her apartment so she could change out of this dress. Wait a minute… Gai had said he wasn’t the one who signed her up when she talked to him after the pageant. And if Lezard had found out her last name from the people at that school… It finally clicked into place.]

[Accusingly…] You were the one who signed me up for that pageant.

[lezard_valeth]

[When his laughter settled down, he hitched his shoulders in a shrug.]

But you're here now, aren't you? Your townspeople are gone, as is your dear mother. Why let such thoughts plague you when they've no direct concern to you as you stand right now? Do you think, perhaps, it would be high time to let such thoughts go?

[The swan took a final turn as the tone changed. Ah yes, something Lezard would not recognize as 'porn sax'. But he wasn't focused on that... no, the cat was out of the bag now. Would he continue to play dumb?]

I figured such beauty should be seen by all of this City of Death!

[Of course he wouldn't play dumb.]

And you looked positively radiant under the spotlights in your ensemble~

[vintage_magic]

I can’t just forget, not after what happened when—[No, it wouldn’t be prudent to spill her secrets to this magical nuisance.] After being run out of town. [It might have been nice if she could simply forget all the alienating incidents of her youth but her near perfect memory prevented that. Despite all the years, it still hurt.] For years, I wandered the world, looking for a safe place to call home. Even in a city like San Francisco, I still couldn’t openly admit my powers to normal people. I’d be considered crazy. [And in Death City? She didn’t intend to admit she was a witch to anyone if she could help it!]

And I don’t appreciate being forced into things by patronizing magical men. [She huffed, folding her arms across her chest and muttering…] You’re almost as bad as Aidan.

[lezard_valeth]

Ah, then we are quite alike then, aren't we? I have been dubbed 'mad' on frequent occasions. [A shrug.]

Regardless, taking our foes into consideration, I cannot be surprised you keep the truth of what you are something of a secret. And yet... we hold a Witch here in Death City who has allegedly agreed to grant us aid, and there are few BREW has brought upon us that were once witches in their own right back home. If anything, my dear, I would say you bear a great deal of importance in this war because of that in which you feel ashamed of.

[He paused, and simply smiled.]

'Almost'? Damn.

[vintage_magic]

I doubt we’re that alike. [Folks might have considered her strange but Lezard with his talk of teleportation spells and wooing goddesses would have been clear round the bend into insanity!]

[She shook her head.] More self-preservation than shame. Tens of thousands were killed as witches in the past in my world. Burned, hanged, drowned. Some were just victims of personal vendettas but many were natural witches. Countless others were tortured, driven from their homes. [That was why this war didn’t completely sit well with her. Exorcising demons was one thing but accusing people of witchcraft was a much uglier prospect.]

The woman with the lion? We’ve met. [Her expression said she wished they hadn’t.]

Aidan Rhodes is an annoyance of a male witch who fancies himself in charge of all the witches in San Francisco. He’s always trying to force me into things like investigating murders without explanations. [Lily glanced over at him. Maybe, it was mean but she was irritated…] And he is much more attractive than you.

[lezard_valeth]

Self-preservation or not, you would do well to gather allies that know of your true character. My heart would simply ache at the very thought of Shibusen turning their hunt on you... you have my loyalty.

[Then she'd gone for a sting. Mean? Yes. But there was one flaw in this plan...]

Ah, so you consider me attractive. My my~ It has always been said in the social circles of Flenceburg that I was quite the looker.

'If only he remained with the school,' they lament...!

[The man was dense.]