Event Twenty-Three.

[awashmods]

Hickety pickety, my black hen, She lays eggs for gentlemen; Sometimes nine, sometimes ten, Hickety pickety, my black hen.

t's a beautiful day today. The sun is shining, the Town is peaceful...and there's a new fluffy (or scaly or slimy or who knows what) friend living in your home, staring at you. One moment they're gone, then next they're there, staring at you with bright, inquisitive eyes. At first, everything seems fine -- they're friendly, and cute, even, and very helpful. But... well, as per all things in the Town? It can't ever be that easy. Take care to watch out for what these Cute Animal Companions are going to do, because it's not going to be pretty. Welcome to Awash's Twenty-third event log, everyone! Further information on this event can be found here at the OOC post. You are welcome to make your own logs and posts for this event! If there are any questions, please ask them here. Thank you!

Comments

[neronian]

[ Nero follows along, taking in the sight and silently enjoying the opportunity for a visit inside Lupin's house, all impromptu. She will be a good guest and not stab anyone. Hopefully.

Her eyes flit all over Lupin's decorations, brimming with curiosity, and entranced by some of the shiny rocks as well as the original map of Chroma in his possession. She should really get back to looking for that photo but...well. ]

You've amassed quite the collection during your stay.

[heartsteals]

Well, I've been here for a long time, and there's only so much to do during the day. A man's got to entertain himself somehow. I've always had an eye for treasures, and that hasn't gone away, even out here. Although I have had to lower my standards.

[ he doesn't seem too self-conscious about his room, and does nothing to stop her from looking around - but, seeing as he sees this scenery every day, he's focusing on finding that picture. A photograph of that size in a golden frame can't be that hard to find, right?

He gets on his hands and knees to reach under the bed, and he does retrieve something, but... it looks like a small stack of gold-embossed papers, not the portrait. There's a small, fox-teeth-shaped imprint on the corner of the pile. Lupin sighs. How did the fox even find these to steal them... ]

[neronian]

It is truly a pity, indeed. But at least you have not lost your eye for beauty entirely.

[ She takes a few steps toward Lupin's desk, taking in the boat models and the sketches. Instead of brushing the scattered baubles aside, Nero carefully places them aside, one by one, so as to not disturb the gentleman's workspace too much. What a Renaissance man. ]

[heartsteals]

[ he does it all, it's true... ]

Hah. Not even being in a gray world like this could take that from me. There's plenty of beauty here if you know where to look.

[ he scoots the pile of lovelorn teenage poetry back under his bed, then stands up. Places to hide a photograph of that size... ]

... That little rascal.

[ Lupin has no idea how the fox would know about this, but he suddenly knows just where one might store a stolen painting. He wanders over to a bare portion of the wall, and, without much adieu, simply removes a part of the wood paneling - it looks like it was originally broken, but Lupin turned it into some sort of secret compartment. And, lo and behold, when he puts his hands into the slot in the wall, he pulls out a framed picture just like what she'd described, no worse for wear. ]

Here it is.

[neronian]

[ A secret compartment!! That is so cool. She loves it already, and...honestly, she should have something like that too, now that she thinks about it. She's been too lax with her possessions, hasn't she? That's why that fox could sneak in!!

Nero's eyes widen in surprise, and she instinctively exclaims: ]

Praetor!

[ ...Before she catches herself, glancing away awkwardly, and reaches out to take the framed photo from his hands. ]

Er...I mean, you have my gratitude.

[ Lupin has her gratitude, she means. His fox friend has her ire. ]

[heartsteals]

And you have my apologies. I've got no interest in separating precious personal items from their owners, believe me.

[ unless there are extenuating circumstances, which could happen! In this case, however, there was simply a fox who got a little too big for his britches.

Praetor, though... He raises an eyebrow. ]

A friend of yours?

[neronian]

[ Nero holds the framed photo a little closer to her, a faint flush creeping up on her face at the question. But only a faint one (she hopes). No. It's fine! It's not something she should be ashamed about! What would that say about said Praetor if she concealed her existence? No, she is Nero Claudius! She is an emperor, and she will not back down from something as simple as this! ]

...Something more than that.

[ Hmph!! ]

[heartsteals]

[ Lupin's brow only raises higher as she battles with what to say and finally replies - with an unexpected answer, to boot. That explains why she was so desperate about finding it (and ready to cut him down for it, too.) There's a pause, and then he laughs gently. ]

Is that so? No need to be shy, Saber - although I will say that it's quite charming coming from a lady like you. She's a very lucky girl, then.

[ relationships between two women - a little odd to someone from his time period, but Lupin happily embraces others who don't fit into society's rules. ]

[neronian]

[ She holds the photo close to her, looking down at it once more. A face she hasn't seen in...how long has it been? Time is wonky when you're a Servant. ]

Hmph. Of course she is! I am the finest instrument the gods have crafted, and she the player. She should consider herself blessed that it was I who answered her call that day.

[ And then forged a contract between Master and Servant. ]

Do you have someone like that, Lupin?

[ Asking partially out of curiosity, and partially to change the subject!! ]

[heartsteals]

[ Oh, so not only are they together, but this girl was the sorcerer who summoned her? Fascinating. That sounds like a legendary love story all in itself, frankly - which means Lupin likes it. Dramatic and romantic - his two favorite qualities for just about anything.

Her question distracts him before he can question her on it further, though. ]

I do, actually. Right here in this very town. Care to take a guess?

[ he's somewhat surprised she doesn't know, but not too much - he and Cairngorm are fairly private about it, in the end, even if they're not actively keeping it a secret. ]

[neronian]

Hm...

[ Still holding the photo frame close, she gently places a finger to her lower lip in thought, tilting her head slightly. It shouldn't surprise her so that Lupin's already spoken for, but to have someone in this town is something she didn't expect. But love can bloom anywhere, even on a battlefield, so they say. ]

Is it Maya?

[ Attempt number one. ]

[heartsteals]

[ For some reason, Lupin wasn't expecting her name to pop up; he blinks, then chuckles, shaking his head. ]

She's a wonderful woman, but no, not her. We're great friends, though! So good guess.

[ he'd totally date her if he didn't have Cairngorm, and also if she showed any reaction to his flirting, like, at all. Alas. ]

Now that I think about it, I'm not sure you've met, so I may as well just tell you. The one my heart belongs to is Cairngorm.

[ as ever, Lupin has no shame about being this hammy out loud. In fact, he sounds rather proud. He's really in love with this rock, man. ]

[neronian]

[ Hammy or not, Nero doesn't mind in the slightest. It's a wonderful thing that people can love each other, and judging by how happy and cheesy Lupin is, she has no intention of raining on his parade. ]

Named after a stone? Hm, I suppose I of all people cannot speak.

[ It's hardly any weirder than going by "Saber". ]

It is true that I have yet to meet them. They must be quite something to win your heart though.

[ Or so she assumes, based on her modern-world knowledge of a certain literary gentleman thief's exploits. ]

I WAS ON VACATION feel free to drop this if it's too old

[heartsteals]

Not just named after a stone, but made of it, as well. They're like a living crystal statue - and just as beautiful, too, mark my words. You can't miss them if you see them.

[ his voice further swells with pride as he talks about them. ]

They're a prickly one, but they've got a good heart under it all, even if they try to pretend otherwise. We were friends for a long while before I decided to sweep them off their feet.