logs | Hacking Up Posies (CATCH-ALL/OPEN)

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Hacking Up Posies (CATCH-ALL/OPEN)

WHO: Augustine & You! (open prompts below)
WHERE: Throughout most of Stygia (the Harbors, Serene, the Gallows & the Hinterlands)
WHEN: November catch-all & event prompts
WHAT: Just the random goings of a flower-loving dhampir who may or not be suffering from the dreaded hanahaki virus.
WARNINGS: Possible mentions of violence, blood, and self-harm in the form of blood sorcery magic.

[ I'll be adding more prompts throughout the week featuring the event stuff in question. If you would like to plot with me, feel free to drop me a DM or hit me up on

devillady. I'm always more than happy to make a starter or two. So don't be shy. Also, you're welcome to make your own starters as well. ]

PLOTTING 🌹 EVENT🌹 WILDCARD

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[Who would’ve guessed running a floral boutique would be such hard work?

Augustine couldn’t help but pale once he saw how many orders he still had to do. At first, business was a bit slow with barely a trickle of people per day. Eventually news about Anthanasia’s Hortus began to spread through word of mouth. The traffic increased incrementally day by day until Augustine found himself surrounded by overzealous lovers, young and old, hoping for a bouquet to express their fondness of each other. It was a little surprising, to say the least. While he had high hopes for his little boutique he didn’t quite expect all this.

Another thing he didn’t expect is this nagging cough that developed suddenly. A harsh cough escapes him as he tries to find his second wind. He’s been busy digging flower plots for a new batch of hellebores he plans to grow during the winter months. While he would love to grow a batch of hydrangeas, he knows they won’t survive the cold.

He coughs once more, this time nearly dropping the shovel in his hands. While he has a tendency to look rather sickly even on a good day, he certainly looks more worn than usual. The man looks dead on his feet with dark purple bags under his eyes and somewhat hollowed cheeks. Dhampir or not, Augustine looks like he’s in need of rest.

He should’ve thought about that before opening the shop, huh?]

[This kind of work is honestly beneath him but Augustine has little choice.

He joined the Adventurer’s Guild of his own violation even if Cedrik somewhat goaded him into it. The noticeboard is both a blessing and a curse at times often putting inexperienced adventurers into great peril. However, the pay is always good. While he doesn’t consider himself an adventurer per se, Augustine can at least hold his own in a fight.

The moment he saw this missive from Serene, he didn’t hesitate to sign-up.

Serene is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful locations in Stygia despite that odd sensation of being watched whenever he visits there. A sinister magic lingers here among these endless green fields and great tall trees. It’s something like a smog almost, like a thin mist that clogs the senses. He couldn’t help but cough harshly once the tickling sensation in the back of his throat worsens with every step. It may not have been the best idea to venture into the woods in search of the menace haunting these woods but he needs the money.]

What is all this?

[Augustine mumbles once he comes across the entrance of a peculiar cavern nearby. He followed the array of rubble this far into the woods hoping to find the perpetrator in question but instead, he found a cave. The dhampir tries in vain to peer into the darkness but alas he can’t see anything from here. Just the thought of venturing into that unknown darkness alone worries him, especially since he’s not in the best of shape.

While attempting to devise a plan to lure whatever is in there out, Augustine suddenly hears footsteps coming down from the path behind him.]

Who’s there?

[If it's a beast, he'll slay it. However, if it's a person---]

Edited 2022-11-06 21:24 (UTC)

[Venturing into the unknowns of the Hinterlands was daunting enough but being accosted by a dozen or so little fire sprites is a bit much. He’s completely surrounded by these little embers who’ve taken up swords against him. While he tries his best to quell their worries, the little fire elementals seem less than pleased with their new visitor.]

Darkling! Darkling!

[The little sparks cry as they swipe at Augustine’s boot with their fiery swords.]

Begone, evil one! Begone! We know your kind well–!

[An annoyed huff escapes him as he tries to step over the angry sprites. The bounty he seeks is just beyond this mound in the form of a dozen or so broken shards. However, it’s being fiercely protected by the angriest little fire sprites he has ever seen. The little ones gather around Augustine as he inches closer towards the crater, still poking and prodding him as he tries his best to ignore them.

However, that completely goes out the window when the second one of those annoying little knights suddenly tries to burn his wings.]

ENOUGH!

[He pivots on his heel quickly and STOMPS down on the little knight causing the others to gasp in horror. It seems diplomacy might not be an option here.]

( if none of the prompts here work for you, feel free to make your own! )

[ He hadn't planned on stopping in—Dimitri never had much interest in flowers beyond what could be scavenged, eaten, or brewed.

But circumstances have him very suddenly taking up a botanical interest. Even now, he bites back a short cough, a small flower. The petals demand attention, but he can't even begin to identify them, much less find a cure. And so here he is, standing outside of a floral boutique as identified from a network post, wondering if he isn't wasting his time.

Then—a noise. And another. The sound of a hoarse cough draws him to the garden rather than inside the boutique, and the person there... he doesn't seem quite so human. Even then, it's clear he's seen better days. Tabling his other questions for a moment, Dimitri opens with a cautious question, rapping his knuckles on the wall of the store to announce his presence. ]

Sir—are you all right?

[ Cedrik didn't mean to goad Augustine into joining the guild...but since he did, it's only fair that he be the one to step up and help the dhampir on his requests. Plus, this one's for Serene again, and Cedrik's already proven he can navigate the forest well.

Of course, Augustine has to actually ask him first. Instead it's just like their last adventure together in Serene, with Cedrik finding the other by chance. Hopefully the rest of this visit will go better than the last. ]

We're apt to make a habit of this. [ Finding the hollowed cairn was easy for him--honestly he's a little surprised Augustine beat him here. He holds up his hands reassuringly as he approaches. ] Send word next time, eh? Then I'll be able to meet you properly.

[It takes him a few breaths to regain his composure and a little longer before he could reach the front door. His little shop is closed today due to his sudden illness but he was expecting company. That’s why when the door creaks open, Augustine is already in mid rant.]

I had expected you sooner, Hibiki. Honestly, those flower beds won’t dig themselves—

[He trails off suddenly once he realizes that’s not Hibiki rather but some worrisome looking chap with a somewhat sour expression. He stares at them for a brief moment before letting out a hesitant chuckle. For some reason, he doubts this guy is interested in flowers.]

Now before you attempt to rob me–[He states quickly as he places his hands up in mock surrender.] I will have you know I just opened this shop and I BARELY make a profit.

So menace someone else.

[Serene seems to be their usual stomping grounds of late. Maybe it's because they're both drawn to the unusual magics that keep these woods hale and whole. Augustine honestly didn't expect to return to Serene so soon but Fate loves toying with him.]

Cedrik. [Try as he might not to stare, he still can't help but look upa little. Those tall rabbit-like ears are truly something to behold.]

I feared Puck would be making another grand appearance.

[He grumbles as he regards what happened the last time they ran into the boy.]

Yes, I shall remember to do so next time. [He chuckles before glancing towards the cave's entrance once more.] It seems our quarry has led us here.

'Puck', was that the boy's name...?

[ Cedrik muses aloud, not really expecting an answer as he strides up to stand alongside Augustine, arms folded across his chest as he assesses the cave's entrance. He can't see any better than Augustine, but those tall ears can hear...not that there's anything making a lot of noise at the moment.

Still, he lowers his voice some when he next speaks, not wanting it to carry and give their presence away. ]

A gargoyle, do you think?

According to the locals.

[He mutters as he spares Cedrik another glance. Two heads are better than one for a quest of this magnitude but if gargoyles here are anything like the monsters in his world, they're going to need a small army to kill it.]

Perhaps. [Augustine whispers before daring to inch closer towards the mouth of the cave.] However, we won't know unless we see it for ourselves.

[He just about to enter the cave before glancing over his shoulder at Cedrik.]

Scared?

[ The gargoyles Cedrik knows are certainly a threat, but he's put down enough of them to know how to fight them. The trouble is that it's highly unlikely that this 'gargoyle' is anything like what he knows...if it's one at all. Not that he'll be intimidated. And as if sensing his thoughts, Augustine asks if he's scared.

His brow lifts--and he almost laughs. ]

Do not worry. This time I'll be the one protecting you.

[ He reaches over and clasps the dhampir's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze and pat before striding forward into the cave. The sunlight glints off the steel of his greatsword before falling into shadow, his silhouette pausing to glance back, waiting for Augustine to follow before going deeper. ]

[Augustine can't help but smirk a little at the reply. It's been a long time since he had a "friend" of some sorts. Most of the people in his life are mere acquaintances despite seeing them often enough to suggest otherwise. Friends don't come easily, especially when you're some sort of immortal vampire. Nevertheless, Augustine doesn't hesitate viewing Cedrik as a friend even if he still doesn't everything about the Viera.]

We shall see if this holds true.

[He states before following into the cavern behind him. It's pretty dark in here, blindingly so. Even though he's quite used to living in darkness, Augustine cannot help but feel a bit leery. As the darkness worsens, he finds himself relying less on his sight and more on his hearing. Similar to a bat, his hearing is a bit better than his sight. No one can trust their eyes within the dark, the same for him.

However, he would balk if anyone ever referred to him as a bat.]

Do you hear that? [His voice drops to a whisper once he hears something like stone mashing together. It's rather faint but distinct enough to be noticeable.] It has a rhythm to it.

[That means whatever is causing that sound isn't just ambient noise.]

Edited 2022-11-09 03:46 (UTC)

[ The careful concern on his face disappears with a sudden sputter as he steps back, as though struck. ]

Rob?

[ does he look like that much of a hooligan??? ]

No, please—be at ease! I'm not here to steal from you.

[ This... is embarrassing. His counsel has warned him here and again about how unapproachable he appears with his resting bitch/sad face, and it's true he'd look awkward with a bouquet of flowers in his arms, but this is new. He gives off strong kicked puppy vibes as he explains himself, reproachful. ]

Apologies, I just heard some noise and thought I'd see what it was...

[A little! Then again, criminals don't have a certain look to them. That much is apparent since the Hierarchy are the biggest crooks of all here. However, that's just Augustine's less than humble opinion.]

You're not? [He lets out an uneasy sigh. Sorry but he's been a little wound up lately.] My mistake, then.

It's been rather daunting lately.

[That's an understatement if anything. While opening a brand new business is rather exhilarating, it also comes with a myriad of issues. Despite being quite long-lived, Augustine didn't foresee half of the issues he's facing now. Then again, he brought all of this upon himself. Nevertheless, he can't help but feel a bit guilty for mistaking a potential client for a burglar. Especially when they're giving him those hurt puppy-dog eyes.]

No need to apologize! If anything, it should be me.

[He lets out a chuckle as he glances at the bouquet they're carrying.]

Oh, where did you get those?

[ He can't blame anyone for jumping at shadows lately. With so many people being imprisoned and the constant effects of the moons, he's been on-edge ever since he'd planted his feet on Stygian soil.

It has to be worse for someone with a fledgling business to protect, so he understands, even if he's going to be self conscious about it for a week.

It's fine. ]

Ah, these—

[ When he shifts the blooms forward, it's clear that "bouquet" is putting it generously. It's an anemic bundle of steadily wilting plants with no aesthetic coordination, and the stems are bruised where they've been picked. They're mostly small, woodland flowers—forget-me-nots, milkweed, small daisies and the like. Nothing extravagant. ]

They are from Serene, mostly. I was wondering if I could ask for your help identifying them. ...I admit I do not patron boutiques like this often otherwise.

[ So he's aware he looks out of place. The fact that he can't recognize these basic flowers is testament enough to that. ]

[He cannot help but look a bit alarmed at the state of these flowers. They look awful for a lack of a better word. While he does possess a love for wild flowers, these look more like weeds than anything else. It's a little disheartening since he's a gardener at heart.]

Goodness, what did you do to them? [He scolds before giving this blond-haired fellow another glance.] You gripped them too tightly! These are flowers not a bundle of sticks.

[A sigh escapes him as he holds out his hands to retrieve the poor wilted flowers. These poor little things won't survive the day this rate.]

Come inside. We'll talk more.

[Follow his lead, Sir Burglar. Inside of the shop are an endless array of exquisite flowers ranging from darkly colored roses, cheerful tulips, and even a couple of purple and blue hydrangeas scattered around the shop. Those are his favorite summer flowers.]

I see you have a fondness for milkweeds and forget-me-nots. That's an interesting mix since one speaks of your undying respect of someone and the other voices your need for dignity and freedom.

I do...

[ With one hand stretched out to keep in contact with the wall, Cedrik pauses and lifts his head, long ears picking up the steady sound.

Crack...crack...crack...

The sound changes, a briefly louder noise followed by a clattering echo. And underneath all that Cedrik swears he can hear someone draw in a sharp breath. He turns sharply to Augustine, barely able to make out his features in the light but hopefully he'll see the same realization Cedrik's come to.

One hand reaches for the hilt of his sword, readying to draw it the moment he needs to. ]

We're close.

[ A few more steps and there's a bend in the cavern walls, behind which Cedrik can finally see light--but it's unnatural, a pale blue-green that sways as the cracking noise picks up again, faster than before. ]

[Augustine follows Cedrik's lead as they wander deeper into the cavern. Even he has to use the cavern's walls to help guide them as they sink deeper within this darkness. It's too easy to lose your footing in caves like these, especially ones that sink deeper into the earth. His biggest fear is that they'll stray too far from the light and find themselves trapped in here for days.

However, that goes completely out the window the second he hears that sharp intake. Someone is in here with them and he suspects it's the gargoyle itself. He could barely make out Cedrik within his darkness but he could feel their eyes upon him. If they're about to do battle here, they need to ensure that they don't accidentally harm each other.]

Let's be swift about it.

[He suggests once they spot an eerie light within the distance. Their quarry must be in possession of some sort of magic to produce such a light. While it's difficult to tell what it could be, Augustine cannot help but be on edge.

The second they crossed into the threshold, they are welcomed with the sight of this overgrown monster dressed in gray rags smashing stone statures of random men and women with abandon. There's all sorts of paint and drawings sketched upon the cavern walls along with an alarming number of easels scattered about.]

Edited 2022-11-09 19:56 (UTC)

[ It's not at all what Cedrik was expecting... Strewn among the rubble are emptied cans of paint and frayed brushes. The creature hasn't so much as paused its work, let alone turn to confront the pair of Restless who found it. Instead it's methodically smashing one stone against a freshly painted sculpture, watching the cracks that form, following them with its long fingers as he reduces what was once an eerily realistic statue down to rubble. ]

...

[ Cedrik takes his hand off his weapon, naked confused on his face as he steps further into the room. ]

What is all this...?

[ At the sound the creature stops, whipping around as it finally realizes it isn't alone. With all the indignity it can muster it gestures at the mess around it and bellows: ]

ART! Can't you see?! I must create ART!

This isn't art.

[The dhampir nearly snarls once he gets a better look at the rumble before them. One of those stone chucks look like it has something akin to bones wedged within them. While he might not know much about sculpting, he doubts that forming an entire skeletal frame is necessary. That could only mean one thing---]

What we're witnessing is a mass murder!

[He wastes no time summoning forth his magic this time around. Diplomacy is out the question for him and always will be in regards of such matters. In just mere seconds, a dozen or so floating red shards appear all around the gargoyle. The creature hisses at them as the shards quickly morphs into large blood-red swords.]

Begone!

[With just the snap of his fingers, those massive red blades dart right towards the gargoyle in hopes of piercing its stone-like flesh. Unfortunately, it's not going to be that easy. Every blade Augustine summoned phases right through the gargoyle one by one. They get wedged within the walls of the cave and one such blade nearly stabbed Cedrik in the process as it ricochets from the cavern floor.]

Wait, what?!

[ The poor flowers do look terrible; he's always lacked a delicate hand, and even with some half-hearted care he's managed to lose some petals along the way here. He'd rather be saddled with a pack of lumber or a bundle of sticks than have to keep things so precious and frail. ]

My apologies...

[ But this month has forced a sudden interest in botany, and he follows along without complaint, suddenly surrounded by beautiful flowers in lovely rows, ranging from elegant to playful. Dimitri, to his discredit, does not recognize a single one of these besides the roses.

He cants his head curiously as he takes the name of the blooms in, a little surprised. Milkweeds. Forget-me-nots... ]

You can tell just from looking? Do flowers hold a sort of... meaning?

Indeed, they do.

[He answers after he placed the flowers in nearby empty vase. The vase in question is actually a tall ornate glass he found in a thrift shop nearby. It’s some sort of fancy chalice, one that was probably made for ceremonial practices since it’s far too large for casual usage. He quickly pours cold water into the vase before adding a powdery-like mixture from a small glass vial on his counter. ]

The language of flowers is as complex as the words we speak. Every rose, tulip, and even daffodil harbor a message upon their delicate petals. A message that can be easily decoded with practice.

[He turns towards the man briefly as he places the vase upon a nearby shelf by the window. There’s not much in the means of sunlight in the Netherworld but old habits die hard. He used to decorate his family’s estate with flowers daily since he was the only one who could withstand sunlight outside of their thralls. It was a chore he willingly partook since he loved having hints of green throughout that gloomy manor.]

Why do you ask? Did you receive these flowers from another?

[ Cedrik is reaching the same conclusion as Augustine, the raw horror of it driving him to react in much the same way. He reaches for his sword again and draws it, taking a step forward to demand answers--but the dhampir's magic is faster.

Augustine was not aiming at him, but a brief flash of warning told him to move all the same--he jumps back, a heart's beat before the ricocheting blade slices through the air where he once stood. ]

...

[ He turns back to give Augustine a brief look. That wasn't his fault, of course, but Cedrik thinks he's allowed to be a little annoyed.

Weapon still drawn he aims it at the creature to confirm what they'd just seen. He jabs the blade forward into the thing's side--there's no reaction, no resistance. It's as if it isn't there...but how is it interacting with the stone? ]

Damn. [ Cedrik sheathes his sword, frown deepening. ] Do you know of any magic that could do this, Augustine...?

[Augustine lets out a slight cough as he averts his gaze from Cedrik. It's not like he was initially trying to skewer the poor rabbit. No, that was definitely a mistake that could've ended on a really bad note. That little blunder aside, Augustine cannot help but growl in frustration as the gargoyle continues with its massacre.

The beast picks up another stature and slams it onto the cavern floor with all its might. It seems completely disinterested in dealing with the two of them and more focused on its "art". As the beast continues with its violent antics, Augustine finds him struggling to answer Cedrik's inquiry.]

I don't know. [He mutters quietly as he circles around the gargoyle.] This could be an illusion of some sort but I'm uncertain.

[It's uncommon for such an ability to be able to interact with corporeal forms like this. Very, usual. This is why Augustine cannot help but stare in confusion as the creature smashes away at its latest victim. It's almost like this entire encounter is a simulation of some sort---]

He's not real. [The dhampir mutters as he leans close to get a better look at the gargoyle.] It's some form...of spirit, perhaps?

[ The glass vase is more marvelous than his puny bouquet deserves, but the flowers probably appreciate the fresh drink of water and nutrients. Dimitri regards them more carefully than before, as though to decipher this secret meaning of flowers that this other man apparently knows so well.

He's broken out of his wondering by the questions, biting back a tiny grimace. ]

Ah—no, not quite.

[ Actually, he's been coughing them up. But it felt a little uncouth to bring mouth-flowers to someone to inspect, so he sought out some fresh ones instead. ]

I was just hoping to... understand them a little better, I suppose. [ Which is basically the truth. ] There's some sort of flowery blight lately, and these ones had me curious.

[ The plague had, if nothing else, introduced him to plenty of new botanical species. ]

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Page 1 of 3

Hacking Up Posies (CATCH-ALL/OPEN)

Hellebore Petals (Open)

Artistic Rapture - Noticeboard Quest (Open)

Searching for the Broken Flame - Noticeboard Quest (Open)

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