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[kingincognito]

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INVENTORY · His canon clothing. · His canon sword, The Burning Thorn. · His half of The Founder's Grasp, a pair of bracelets of which Clive possesses the twin.     NOTE: Ydalir has enchanted this bracelet, allowing Joshua to assume the form of a small,     cockatiel-sized Phoenix. · His copy of the Journal of Moss. · A photographed family portrait of his own family, in fine (but not royal) clothing and     appearing happy. · A stock of medicine for his coughing, supplied by Pure Vanilla Cookie. · An ear cuff, custom made by Sesa and gifted to him by Dion.     NOTE: Ydalir has enchanted this ear cuff, allowing Joshua to create a small ball of light     similar to Dion's that fires three quick laser blasts before disappearing. · A small stolas, requested from home. Her name is Willowisp, and she coos a lot and     accepts snacks.     NOTE: Pure Vanilla Cookie has now linked her as Joshua's familiar.

Comments

first night

[aneikonic]

[ Yeah, sorry, after the trauma they just got done with before arriving here, having Two Rooms is simply not going to happen. It doesn't matter if they're right next to each other or not. Clive waits until Joshua finds a room he likes, then follows right in after him. Sword out of the scabbard and placed against the wall, and his butt plopped into the couch.

Well, it's better than hardwood floor, but not by much. He's pretty sure a spring retaliated by jamming him right in one cheek. ]

I saw a map down in the common room. I'll make a copy of it in the morn and we can begin to figure out the lay of the land. In the meantime, I hear there's an Archive if we can get to it, which should help us begin to get information if we can't question everyone.

[ Ugh, he shifts to get off the spring, there.

No, the man doesn't know the meaning of Rest. ]

[kingincognito]

[ Neither of them know the meaning of rest if it's being applied to themselves, really. It's hardly surprising that Clive is taking up residence in his room, despite having a room right next door, and frankly Joshua is keen to let him have this one. They can both keep an eye out for each other this way, and if anything happens, they'll both be there to see it.

His rapier is propped against the bedside table for now, but otherwise he hasn't stripped down at all. Those wraiths out there have him on edge. As they speak, he's looking out his window at the wall of white, unable to see very far at all save for the soft glow of distant lanterns in windows. ]

It would be a lot easier to get the lay of the land if it weren't for this snow...

[ Or get to this supposed Archive, for that matter. He all but guarantees it isn't here in the inn.

Turning from the window, he looks back at Clive. ]

If we cannot make it to the Archive, I can at least look back through the journal that I found on my desk. It has already been written in, so it may hold some clues.

[ He doesn't know yet that it's a network of connected journals. He will find out soon enough. ]

[mooninthewater]

On their own, Seaborn are not especially smart. Not the ones without their own wills. Especially the young ones. They simply follow the will of We Many, and their problem-solving skills is... nonexistent.

Which means when one of them ends up in the inn by the rooms, it stands and wiggles at the top of the stairs, making small, sad chirps as the lobby looms below. It wants to go down, but something seems to be keeping it at bay. How did it even get in to begin with? Maybe through a window or maybe just hid in someone's bag? Who knows, really. Regardless, it doesn't think to go out the same way it came in because it has trouble thinking at all.

It only knows wiggle. Help. :(

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua had been on his way down to the clinic, but it's hard to miss a... small, sad, blobby thing sitting at the top of the stairs, right in the way. He watches it for just a moment, tilting his head. Strange...

But the more he watches, the more he realizes that it seems like it's scared of the stairs. Of heights, perhaps? Poor thing. He has no idea what it is, but he truly does feel for it. ]

Hello there. Are you trying to get down?

after the town meeting

[aneikonic]

[ Well, since he figures the coeurl is out of the snare, once they return to their room, Clive will sigh a little and turn to face Joshua. He silent - with only his left hand - undoes his vest and shirt, then pulls them up and off, so he can turn his right side towards Joshua.

The petrification is, indeed, all the way up to his shoulder. It stops there and he can rotate it back and forth, but the movement from there is incredibly limited.

He can raise it, which he does, so Joshua can see it better. ]

[kingincognito]

[ The coeurl is most definitely out of the snare, and though Joshua hasn't said anything on the way back to their room, he knows that Clive knows. It hadn't exactly been subtle when he'd flashed his arm for all to see.

But seeing it now, the stone having creeped up nearly to the joint... His frown softens, and he steps closer, putting his fingers on it. ]

Oh, Clive...

[ Why did it progress so quickly? What did he do? Did he miss something, was Ifrit needed? The question is clear on his face, though silent.

A flame alights on the back of his hand, and the golden glow of flame forms in his palm, spreading throughout Clive's body. He doesn't think it will do anything to heal the Curse, but it may at least soothe the ache of muscles that have been carrying the burden of stone for so long. ]

and after the dragon blessings

[aneikonic]

[ As it turns out, suddenly having horns and a tail is a recipe for disaster, especially when they're as large as they are and you're only used to them in a larger form.

Mostly it means slamming them into everything, and trying to figure out how to get clothes on around them.

Which is why Clive is sitting on the couch, tail awkwardly draped over the edge, a shirt on one horn where he leaves it, disgruntled. ]

Ifrit never had to deal with clothing.

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua feels for Clive, he truly does. Ifrit's horns have always been rather big, proportionally, and he knows it isn't easy to manage with something like that. The shirt hanging sadly off of one horn earns a look of sympathy. His own is, ah. In tatters, in the back, thanks to the wings that sort of grew beneath it and tore the fabric like tissue paper. ]

Neither did the Phoenix. I suppose we're both in a bit of a bind.

[ He sheds the torn shirt - thankfully already torn on the back, so it's easy to tear it the rest of the way with his newfound strength. And then looks at it, a bit sad, a bit thoughtful. ]

Buttoning shirts for you, I think. And for me... perhaps something that ties in the back.

[ This would be a lot easier for him if it weren't currently winter outside. ]

time is weird handshrug after the bar

[aneikonic]

[ Clive returns a little later than normal that night, and not merely because he's picking Kiera's brain about Luca or other things. He had to pick up some things. When he enters their room, tail curling behind him to pass the door automatically now, the first thing he does is hand his brother a small ring. It's made of bone, polished to a glossy luster. ]

Put this on.

[kingincognito]

[ Honestly, Joshua fully expects Clive to stay the night elsewhere tonight, based on what he had seen at the bar. So, Clive walking in later does surprise him, at least a little bit.

Not as much as the ring does, though. He looks at it for a moment, taking it from Clive but very much raising his eyebrows.

And still putting it on his finger, because he trusts Clive implicitly, but. ]

What is this?

[aneikonic]

[ Sorry, brother, are you busy cause Clive is pulling you away from whatever you're currently doing to hand a citrine over, his expression thoughtful. ]

Ydalir has a method in which Luca can silence his Phoenix on command, but needs energy for the stone. I know your feelings on this "Phoenix" and was wondering if you would do the honor of adding some of your energy to the stone.

[ The "and promptly get his own in return with Wills aid" is there in his voice. ]

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua is only reading, thankfully! But being handed the citrine makes him pause, inspecting the stone as Clive explains.

And then a smile splits his face as he registers what his brother is saying. Oh, Clive. That's so sweet of you. ]

Of course, brother. It would be my honor.

[ Hmm. How to best go about this. If Clive is all right with him using his aether, he could really do anything he pleases. But he knows precisely what needs to be done. ]

How much did Ydalir ask for?

[ He says it as he clutches the stone to his chest, the Phoenix's flame lighting on the back of his hand. ]

A week? after Dion wakes up

[bajamutblast]

[Despite promising to take things easy, Dion... arguably has not done so. There's much to be done, starting with facing Clive like a man and asking for his permission, and then picking his brain for ideas. It's easy enough in theory, but it takes quite a bit of will on Dion's part to be ready to do so.

After that, it's a matter of gathering what he needs. He spends hours at the river, carefully gathering shells whilst dodging snakes and seaborne alike. After that, visit is paid to Sesa, with Dion walking away from the encounter with a dizzy head and a fresh ear cuff in hand.

Finally, he heads to make his final purchases with the locals, handing over his payment for a wealth of items from home, and an enchantment that he hopes will be enough. He's thought long and hard on what to offer up, and can only settle for protection.. He isn't Joshua's shield, but he will be his lance if he must. Even from a distance.


And then... he waits.

Really, he should go straight to Joshua and get it out of the way. Greagor only knows that Clive is probably waiting impatiently. But he wants to be sure he has the words right.

Instead, with each day that passes, Dion heads to the clinic. He makes sure that all of his wounds are looked at, and that he continues to recover well. He won't add any additional stress to Joshua by making him worry.

And maybe he wants the excuse to look at the man. It's for inspiration, okay?

One day, though, the waiting grows to be too much. It's on that day that he finds himself moving without thinking. He holds the potted flower within his hand, while the sachet of similar seeds sits within the dirt. The cuff is tucked away in a pocket for the time being. When he's good and ready, he'll present Joshua with it.

For now, though, he simply knocks on the door and waits.]

[kingincognito]

[ To be honest, the fact that Dion has been willingly dropping by the clinic each day to submit himself to examination has made Joshua's entire week. He had been so against it before, so it's nice to see the change in heart. He's been worried about his friend, and not just his recovery from the snake bites, but the previous injuries as well. But all seems to be healing nicely, and it lightens Joshua's heart to know it.

But even healers need a break, and so one day finds Joshua sitting in his room at the inn, flipping through the pages of a book, still studying hard on the local plant life. Clive is out for the day - perhaps with Luca? likely at the bar regardless - and so he is alone in the room, not even Torgal to keep him company. But that suits him fine for the purpose of studying, so he doesn't mind it so much.

The knock to his door brings his head up from the pages, though. Marking his place, he crosses the room to the door, opening it just a crack to see who it is. And when he sees that it's Dion come to visit, his face lights up, and the door opens further. ]

Hello, Dion. To what do I--

[ But then, he notices the potted flower, and freezes, eyes widening. He... He knows that flower. He hasn't seen it in years, but he would know it anywhere. A treasure flower... ]

... Dion, I... Where did you...

Sometime during Portal Times

[arbitrage]

[If Joshua's been paying much attention to the rest of the Grove outside of his own studies, it will not have been hard to spot Aventurine making the rounds here and there attending to his own assigned duties.

He is, after all, kind of flashy and ostentatious.

It's during one of Joshua's tea breaks that the peacock himself elects to approach, armed with a small bag and a cheerful, sunny smile.]

Hello there, friend! I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important, since it seems as if you're all quite busy out here. I was wondering, however, if you'd be opposed to lending me a moment or two. I'll do my best not to overstay my welcome, of course.

[kingincognito]

[ Flashy and ostentatious indeed! Though Joshua hasn't spoken to him directly, he certainly knows of him. He's a hard man to miss, after all.

But being approached directly is a little unexpected. Still, at least it's while he's not doing anything of consequence. Tea can be had while talking, and he won't turn down a new face. He regards Aventurine with a smile, gently tapping his spoon against the rim of his cup. ]

Nothing that can't wait, I suppose. What can I do for you?

[ His expression and his tone are kind, of course. There's no need to be otherwise. Yet. ]

🥚

[nitrotempered]

Eat this, tell me which one is the best - [ Bakugo was making his way through the grove, and when he comes upon Joshua. There is no hesitation in his movements; he closes the distance quickly and shoves two plates into his face. ] or else.

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua had been on his way back from the clinic for the day, but being accosted by someone shoving two plates of eggs in his face is not how he expected to be spending the beginning of his free time. He blinks, pulling back on reflex and... also... taking the plates on reflex? Uh. ]

I... beg your pardon?

[ Is he being threatened?? With food??? ]

After the Great Luca Revival

[unheiring]

[There are two reasons for Luca's visit to the clinic today. The first is likely the more obvious. Despite his hopes, the black marks from the three bites he had suffered had failed to fade. Wearing the mark of the Forest was far from comforting in a general sense. Making matters worse was the way the streaking, creeping color pulled at the strands of Luca's memory. The sooner he could rid himself of them, the better.

Unfortunately, there aren't many answers to be found, much to his chagrin. Nevertheless, the trip isn't yet a wasted one. He waits until Joshua appears to have a free moment, then carefully clears his throat.]

I was wondering if you might have a moment to talk. Nothing particularly serious, if you find you have more pressing matters. I can wait.

[kingincognito]

[ With the snakes being such a menace this month, Joshua has understandably been busy. This far into the month, though, his reason for being busy is considerably more positive - thanks to Clive's anger serving as a distraction for the snakes guarding the patch out in the forest, he'd been able to gather a great amount of the flowers needed for medicine, and every single one of those flowers had been brought back to the clinic for processing.

Luckily for Luca, he doesn't have to wait long for Joshua to have a free moment. The clearing of his throat gets Joshua's attention, and he turns with a smile. ]

Luca. I have been meaning to check in on you. [ He just wanted to give Clive some time with him first. ] Of course, I have nothing pressing going on at the moment. What can I do for you?

After Fam Meet

[unheiring]

[Luca heads back to The Watchtower after his discussion with Kiera back at Arcadia. He has just enough time to tidy up a bit, and make sure the stew he had prepped the night before is over the hearth. By the time Joshua arrives, it should be plenty warm, and a bowl of it sits at the ready.

No carrots, of course.

Luca watches the door nervously. He shifts back and forth a few times, nervous for the conversation to come. He knows Joshua won't condemn him but... even still, he can't help himself.]

[kingincognito]

[ By the time all is said and done, Joshua is glad to return to the Grove. Neo Eden is interesting, but at the end of the day the Grove is far closer to his definition of familiar. After spending some time speaking to Dion, he retrieves Willowisp from her perch and lets her hop onto his shoulder again, and away he goes.

Pushing open the door to the bar, the scent of the stew hits him like a warm hug on a cold day, and he can't help but sigh. It's such a comforting smell these days. Even if the edges are tinged with loss, the good memories persist. ]

My apologies for the delay. I hope I didn't keep you waiting for too long?

Some time after various disappearances...

[sticksandbonesmods]

... A box is found at the Sun Church. It radiates a holiness, but not Beiwe's warmth despite the dropoff location. When Joshua investigates, he'll find a moon shard, silver incense sticks, candles and candelabras all carved with moons and stars, bottles of floral oils, and silver or blue amulets.

... This isn't for you, probably! But it was where the finder felt safest to bring it.

[kingincognito]

For a moment, Joshua might think that it's something left behind by one of the people that has been working to restore the church. But upon closer inspection, it... certainly is not. He can feel that holiness from it, different than what he's felt from Beiwe, and the overall motif makes it abundantly clear who this is for.

This is Beiwe's church, but Beiwe is intrinsically intertwined with her wife, is she not?

"Lady Ourania..."

[ezellotry]

[ It's hard to miss things when they happen in the Grove. When people disappear, it's especially daunting. Being an empath simply makes it worse for Ezell, since he can feel everyone's grief.

But poor Joshua... he's had to rough these past two months especially, right? He knew little of Dion and Clive, aside from their brief interactions, so he isn't sure he can help Joshua at all. But... that doesn't mean he doesn't want to try.

Joshua might deem him a bit silly looking, since he's currently a rabbitaur under the effects of the mushrooms, but he's got a basket of baked goods tucked under his arms as he finds his way to the boy's usual haunt.

Knock knock! ]

Joshua? Are you in?

[kingincognito]

[ For all that Joshua had established a more or less open door policy with his friends, something about the knock on the door surprises him this time. Has he been alone in this house for too long? It's quite possible.

Torgal lifts his head even before the knock comes, though, which alerts Joshua to someone's presence. He can hear it too, the ears atop his head perking and twisting towards the door, but he hadn't been paying enough attention to his surroundings to spot it as quickly. Torgal, on the other hand, has been protective of him ever since Dion's death.

He rises to get the door, though when he does open it, Torgal is quick to shove his head in the crack between door and frame, sniffing vigorously. Joshua, on the other hand, widens his eyes. ]

Oh. Ezell.

[ Like Ezell, he has also changed: a werefox, though during the day his face is much more human and the only sign of it is the ears atop his head and the tail at his back. But those ears perk from their vaguely limp state, and he turns to gently urge Torgal back. ]

Torgal, it's all right. --yes, he's a friend of mine.

[ The frost wolf huffs, but steps back enough that Joshua can now open the door fully. ]

My apologies, he's been a bit... protective, lately. Please, come in.

[ And mind the mess. With Clive and Dion's absences, books have found their way to most surfaces that aren't chairs. At least the floor is clear. ]