{suddenly, you lose your way and lose the thread.

[terraria]

WHO: Aspen, various
WHERE: Shadowlands, Stygia, and more
WHEN: December
WHAT: Catch-all log (event + general)
WARNINGS: Refer to Aspen's blanket warnings to be safe. Includes nonsexual descriptions of nudity (nude model thread.)

→ harbor

( in this white-out winter, a slender figure steps through the snow with dogged determination. aspen acts like the wind doesn't really bother him, and in a sense, it doesn't - these winters are not unlike the ones he's witnessed in petir. he's missed them - in a sense that he hasn't seen snow for almost two years. he's been so used to rains that he almost forgot that most places got snow instead of flooding. while most seem to be bundled up and bustling, aspen enjoys the snowflakes dancing in the air and some that stick to his cheeks and lashes. that, however, doesn't mean he doesn't take notice when some people are freezing their tails off.

as he unlocks the side entrance to his still-remodeling shop, he calls - )

If you're cold, you can come in here for a reprieve.

( aspen's expression isn't as cheery as it usually is - even as he rustles and flaps his wings to knock the frost off of his feathers, there's something heavy hanging in the air about him. he pushes his braid out of his coat so it falls over his shoulder like usual, setting down the coat that he'd kept over his clothes. he's traded in pastels for darker blues and blacks, and he heads to the stone counter - opening the side gate so he stands behind the counter and starts taking care of the plants and walls of powders, tonics, and salves he has stashed away. )

What are you doing out here, if I may ask? You're not going to cross the sea, are you? If you get knocked off the ship, who knows if you'll freeze or not at this point - ghk...

( he covers his mouth as he coughs up a few flower petals, his sigh melding with an exhausted wheeze. he shakes his head with disappointment. )

Apologies.

Comments

→ thread starters

[terraria]

→ event

[terraria]

( event post )

→ locked to established cr. (feel free to respond as if aspen sent a txt, or meet in-person)

[terraria]

( something's wrong.

when aspen's head swims while he's fixing up some tonics, he knows something's wrong. it takes a little while later for him to realize why - and the moment he does, he locks up his shop.

with the key back in his pocket and a heavy satchel hanging from his shoulder and secured across his chest, he makes his way to the docks to ask for a ride across. lo and behold, he's cautioned against it alone - and that makes his shoulders tense and his large wings fluff up with agitation. )

What the fuck does th - mm. ( he bites his own lip and breathes in deep, holds it for five seconds, and then exhales. he has to be polite. he has to be cordial. even if terror runs through him and his shadow spikes, making him see red, he has to be careful and conscious of what he does and who to. ) My apologies. This is an unsettling moment for me, and in my panic, I lashed out at you.

Please, give me a moment. I will see if I might be able to find someone to make the voyage with me. If I cannot in the time it takes you to prepare to cast off, I will stand going alone.

( he says he'll see if he can find someone, but really, he has to think very deeply on if he's okay with allowing people to see the inside of his home in the shadowlands. it's a private affair for him - deeply private. aspen has said so much, divulged much of his life, and yet there are things he hasn't uttered still. things he's afraid to speak, because if he talks about it, they'll be true. and he'd rather they not be.

but either way, he needs someone else. he doesn't trust going alone on a two-person voyage. )

[midway]

[ There's plenty of activity around the port this evening, which isn't too much of a surprise. Claude is sure that he's not the only one that's noticed something amiss—even if he hadn't said anything to anyone else. He might have been growing closer to some of the others here, but to admit that something might be in his room is a step too vulnerable.

Nothing is supposed to get in there without permission. That was the saving grace of having their tethers vulnerable and unguarded.

He's bemoaning the effort it takes to cross the water to the Shadowlands when he finds Aspen, who also doesn't look particularly excited about making the trip. ]

Aspen, crossing the storm?

[ He gives him a sympathetic smile. ]

I'm headed to the Shadowlands myself, if you wouldn't mind the company. Apparently it's unwise to make the trip alone.

[terraria]

( aspen's gaze is sharp when he looks at claude, though it softens when he recognizes him. he lets out a gusty sigh, raking his bangs back, before nodding. )

The Ferryman said the same thing to you, I wager. I have to admit, I wasn't comfortable going it alone. I'm unable to swim, and if the passage is as bad as it was when we arrived... ( he rubs his arms, averting his eyes with a sense of fear. it's not untrue - it's a worry - but not the worry aspen really has. ) Perhaps I'll need help.

If you're amendable to my company, I'll come along.

[midway]

[ To be honest, Claude really doesn't want to make the journey at all, company or no. He can't help but wish that he were the sort of person that was content to put his head in the sand; perhaps if he ignored the problem long enough, whatever this unsettling feeling was, the unease and the panic, would simply fade away.

But he'd never opt for ignorance. He has to regain what semblance of stability and control while he has the chance.

He doubts this journey will be any easier than their very first, but he manages a concerned smile nonetheless. ]

Wow, it's harrowing enough even when you know how to swim. I suppose I'll just have to hold onto you securely and hopefully we can anchor one another enough to make the trip.

[ He'll make his way onto the ship since they're in agreement, trying not to seem too tense. ]

Any particular reason you've decided to journey to the Shadowlands?

[terraria]

( his grip turns white-knuckled, jaw tensing. white wings slowly flutter closed at the notion - at least claude can swim. probably everyone here can. stupid aspen, unable to swim, even when aza was trying to help. he'd been dumb, so dumb.

if worst comes to worst he'll have to just - just use claude to float. he'll cling and if the human gets a little waterlogged, too bad. do people know claude is here?

he snaps out of his wide-eyed internal panic to exhale slowly and smear his hand across his face. )

Oh, I - I can feel something wrong. ( he lets out a little, awkward laugh. ) I wish I had my father's scrying magic... I don't know what it is... but in the air, something's not right, and I can't even focus on my studies. I might as well journey there if I can't be productive.

[midway]

[ Claude's expression is pensive as he listens to the explanation, watching Aspen's features closely; how he seems a little frayed and fraught for control. It is, unfortunately, something that he can acutely empathize with himself.

There's something unsettling in his head and under his skin. A sense of wrong so out of place against the merriment of the city that he almost feels mad.

Not that he would ever say it. How foolish to expose a vulnerability like that. ]

I suppose you don't mean the sprites and their curses, do you?

[ He settles on the edge of the ship, the closest to the water, enjoying the breeze until they have to huddle further in to avoid being thrown off. ]

It certainly would be something to escape the city to avoid a few kisses.

[terraria]

Oh, I wish kissing was what I was trying to avoid.

( he laughs good-naturedly, the tension ebbing from his shoulders as he steps in. aspen sits right in the middle, and his hands grip onto the seat. )

I'd kiss a thousand drunk men or women before I would accept with this strange feeling into my chest again. With tongue, even!

No. I can't quite describe it. It's good that you haven't felt it, then.

[midway]

[ He blinks, feeling a sudden pang of guilt like sunlight through dark clouds at Aspen's genuine response. Why had he put up a front, as though he didn't know exactly what Aspen was talking about?

But also: was his reaction believable enough, or was Aspen just doing him a mercy despite knowing that Claude could only be venturing through the Tempest for the exact same reason?

He glances away, looking out across the water. ]

I wouldn't be surprised if it were our Shadows trying to sink their teeth into our good sense.

[ His jaw tenses as the thought, fingers curling into a fist. ]

There's the cold that's hard to chase away too. It's hard to keep your defenses up when you're freezing.

[terraria]

Hmm. Well, come over.

( and should claude look, aspen is beckoning with a light smile on his face. )

My wings are quite warm and soft, so they should help if you'd like to rest against them. I've been told they're like pillows.

( he's practically preening. )

[midway]

[ Despite himself, Claude's mind immediately goes to the goose feather filled pillows, which are indeed very soft and luxurious.

And then he immediately mentally berates himself for such a crude comparison when Aspen is only being generous. ]

I wouldn't normally be so bold, but I truly do hate the cold.

[ Besides, close proximity like this will help keep them more firmly grounded as they cross the water. With that logic in hand, he takes a seat next to Aspen, close enough that their arms press together.

It's nice. ]

I suppose you wouldn't risk flying over the water given the dangers of the storm?

[terraria]

( he always attempts to be courteous in town - aspen's wings are flexed closed and close to his body, usually. they curve just above his head at the tallest, so perhaps it's not so much a surprise that his wings are truly bigger than what one would think. maybe this is where all his height went. he stretches them alongside an arch of his back and then resettles, with his wing carefully curled around claude in turn.

he was not joking about the warmth trapped in between his feathers. there's so much down here that yes, he might as well be wandering around with two mega size pillows. )

That's right. ( he glances at claude sidelong with a grim expression. ) I'm a powerful flier, thanks to the size of my wings - and even I would have trouble navigating the storms over these waters. I'd just be knocked off course and freeze in the water. Flying over Stygia is no problem, but...

[midway]

[ Claude takes a moment to observe the grace and span of Aspen's wings as one closes in around him. He has, of course, never seen anything like Aspen while alive. It had been revelation enough that Rhea could transform into a dragon, and then there was Shez and the other shapeshifters, but there was nothing in both Fodlan or Almyra where the features of humans and other creatures were mixed to create one form.

The only comparison he has is the famous painting of Seiros and the twenty-one crests. He wonders if Aspen would be considered some kind of holy being in Fodlan.

Or hunted. He honestly has no faith in the Church. ]

That makes sense.

[ He tears himself from his musing to reply, relaxing as he feels himself warm for the first time in far too long. ]

It's why I didn't bother making the trip on wyvernback, the storm really isn't anything to be trifled with.

→ modelling (notice board prompt)

[terraria]

( aspen heaves a sigh of relief. something that doesn't require combat is on the notice board, thank his lucky stars. he needs more funds for his shop and himself if the weather will be this unforgiving.

nude modelling might be something people would blush at, but aspen sees no problem with it. the day he appears, he makes sure to cover his back with a relatively dense makeup as to not draw attention to all the scars - and not for the first time, he wishes he wasn't alone. it's so much more difficult to apply makeup there without someone else, near impossible without his shoulder complaining. it's messier than he'd like, but it's covered and blended. it'll be enough.

he situates himself as per instruction. the chill is enough to make some of him a little stiff, but not enough that he's uncomfortable.

it's not until hours later that he realizes he didn't pack a lunch, and on a momentary break, he asks if he could step out to buy himself something. to hia delight, instead, his patron calls for a restless to deliver a meal for him.

now that is nice. he notes that he could definitely do this again as he shifts his pose and drapes his long, loose hair over his chest, letting it pool in his lap. he'll have to personally thank the person doing the delivery on such short notice. )

[windsongs]

[ This would be an easy job. Run food delivery orders around Stygia, earn a bit of coin; really, she can't complain. Her beef with the place notwithstanding, meeting people has always been something she enjoys, even if it's just to give them a meal and (hopefully) leave with a tip. So far, all her deliveries went off without a hitch.

So of course, of course she had to run into a big problem. A large order quite literally, brought to one of the models who signed up to be sketched and painted. Hibiki saw the job but quickly glossed over and forgot about it (she's not standing there naked for anyone, nope. Nope nope nope).

As she walks in and sees Aspen, hair spilled over his shoulders elegantly, naked as the day he was born (probably), Hibiki stands paralyzed in the doorway. The brown paper bag with his food held in one hand, her other rested firmly (very firmly) on the door frame, the small blonde stares into the room.

Right. At. Him.

OH RIGHT SHE FORGOT ABOUT THIS. Shit he's gorgeous and those wings oh don't even get her started and that hair stop! She is exerting every ounce of her willpower to not look below the shoulders, but her eyes still stray downward. Whenever they do, they forcibly drag back up to his face; her own bright red.

Is she going to say anything? ]

...

[ Apparently not. Holy shit it's hot in here help ]

brief but nonsexual nsfw

[terraria]

( he doesn't hear the door open, but he does feel the draft. he shivers, but he stays stone still. in the warm light of the studio, iridescent feathers at the crown of his wings almost glow. it's only when hibiki's presence is known by the patron that aspen is urged to take a moment and eat. he instantly relaxes and stretches his arms up and arches his back, long waves of silver hair falling away from his lap. the studio is big enough he can stretch his wings to their full wingspan and not knock anything over, and he takes advantage of that as he spots hibiki and smiles.

he waves as he walks over. still naked. like this, it's also very clear that aspen isn't human - not because of his wings, either. )

Thank you for coming on such quick notice. This is my fault - I should have brought a lunch with me. You won't mind if I pay the tip, will you?

this is absolutely sending me I can't

[windsongs]

[ She's heard horror stories of instances like this, where delivery drivers are greeted by customers in robes. Or nothing at all in this case. There's so much to focus on, from the variegated glow of his wings, to his graceful form as he stretches; his long, silver-spun hair moving as he arches his back. Fair tresses hang away from his hips, giving a better view of--

N̵i̵c̷e̵.̵

The small blonde takes a very, very sharp breath through her nose as her eyes stop at his lower abdomen before shooting straight up. For the love of whatever gods she knows (there's a lot apparently), Hibiki tries to keep herself laser focused on the bridge of his nose.

She didn't see anything, she swears!! ]

Y-yeah, no problem! Happens all the time. Totally fine. Completely understand. I got you.

[ As Hibiki tries to words, her Shadow laughs gleefully in her head. Oh, this is great. Please Aspen, make her suffer.

C̴o̸m̷e̴ ̴o̷n̵,̴ ̵y̸o̵u̷ ̸k̴n̷o̴w̵ ̵y̷o̸u̷ ̴w̷a̷n̷n̸a̵ ̶l̸o̴o̴k̴.̷ ̵H̷e̶'̸s̷ ̷p̷r̷a̶c̸t̷i̶c̴a̴l̸l̷y̵ ̵t̵e̵l̴l̶i̴n̸g̴ ̷y̴o̴u̶ ̴t̸o̴.̷ ̵A̴n̷d̴ ̶i̵t̷'̴s̶ ̴n̷o̸t̴ ̴l̴i̷k̸e̶ ̴y̶o̶u̶'̴r̵e̴ ̷g̵e̴t̸t̶i̷n̶g̸ ̷a̷n̷y̷t̷h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̵f̷r̴o̶m̴ ̶ t̵h̵a̵t̸ g̴u̴y̵.̶

...Please someone put her out of her misery. ]

[terraria]

Oh, wonderful!

( he beams, but - oh, right, naked. he holds a finger up. )

One second.

( he turns, jogging back to where his clothes and satchel are, his beautiful buttocks bodaciously bouncing as he moves. hate to see you leave, love to see you go, etc. his satchel - on the ground - is full to the brim with little notepads and vials of herbs.

hibiki may not be the only one watching him.

when he returns with some coins for a tip, he's all smiles, face softly flushed pink. )

Here - thank you, again. Aneth has your full payment inside.

[windsongs]

[ WHY DOES HE HAVE TO MOVE LIKE THAT, this man is going to kill her a second time. Focusing incredibly hard on his spine—between the shoulders, Hibiki!!—the small blonde doesn't seem to notice her head as it sloooowly tilts to one side. She's on her best behavior here, really! Just here for a snacc—no, to deliver someone a snack! No! Their lunch!!

She only realizes that she's staring when he turns toward her once more, her eyes shooting up to the ceiling.

D̶o̴n̴'̸t̸ ̶s̴a̶y̵ ̶I̵ ̷n̸e̵v̸e̵r̵ ̷d̴i̸d̸ ̷a̸n̵y̸t̴h̴i̵n̵g̸ ̶f̶o̸r̴ ̶y̶o̵u̶.̸

This is actually the worst thing her Shadow has done to her, forget the whole isolation and almost murdering a fae. No contest. ]

Y-yeah, totally! Don't mention it! [ Don't make eye contact— ]

B̷u̶t̵ ̴a̶r̷e̶n̸'̸t̴ ̴y̴o̸u̶ ̵c̶o̵l̴d̶ ̷l̷i̵k̶e̸ ̶t̶h̶a̵t̸?̴

[ Cue internal screaming. ]

[terraria]

( he blinks. )

Not really.

( he shifts his weight, turning a little to the side and reaching out with his wing to brush lightly against her cheek. it's warm, plush, and so downy soft. )

I'm under quite a lot of light while modeling. It's warm. ... well, my body is warm. Do you mean the - oh!

( when he hears his name called, he pulls back so he can let her step inside. ) Apologies, I'm keeping you.

[windsongs]

[ If there's one thing that breaks her out of the mental keysmashing she's been doing, it's when he touches her cheek with the bend of his wing. It's soft--like a bird's wing, she would imagine. Did he have something like--

Blinking owlishly as she hears a name and sees him dip inside. Hibiki follows out of instinct, passing him as she utters a quiet "Pardon the intrusion", she finally gets a full view of the classroom. It's much larger than what she's used to, so thankfully something else has drawn her full attention (for now). ]

It's fine, you're my last delivery. I was just covering for someone.

[ So this is where they were staging the models... ]

[terraria]

( as aneth happily pays her, aspen is handed a robe. he tilts his head, seemingly not perturbed by his nakedness, but when offered something to dress himself with... well. he obediently cinches the robe around his waist. he doesn't bother trying to fit his shoulders or wings into it somehow, just leaving his upper body bare. though he has the lean muscle of a dancer, he has slight shoulders and a short torso, more leg than sense decency. )

Oh, that's good. You seem... mmm. Would you mind if I bent your ear for a moment while I eat? I wouldn't mind sharing.

Aspen is 120% leg, it is now canon

[windsongs]

[ Bless Aneth, truly. Aspen may not have any qualms about remaining undressed, but Hibiki can't help but breathe a quiet sigh of relief when she sees that he has some clothes on. Emphasis on some. That's not how you're supposed to wear a robe... ]

Hm?

[ Blinking a few times at the request, Hibiki shrugs vaguely. ]

Sure, I don't mind. But don't feel like you need to share, you're the one who paid for it.

[ Technically whoever hired him is, but Details. ]

he is built like a sailor senshi (actual canon)

[terraria]

I shouldn't be eating so much, truth be told.

( a beat - )

Though, I wonder if we can actually gain weight here? If I don't have to, maybe it won't be so bad.

( nevertheless, he sits, cracking open the containers. while there is some meat, it's offset by the rices and mushrooms he's ordered. )

Are you alright?