🐝 closed

[takeroot]

WHO: Constantin and buds
WHAT: event/April starters
WHERE: around
WHEN: April
WARNINGS: gross plant stuff, tba

NOTES: hmu for a starter, plotting comment over that way

still in the comments baby

Comments

judgey

[takeroot]

[About ten minutes after hearing that something called a train would take them to someplace with pretty landscapes, Constantin made sure to message the Judge no less than about five times about Camping Activities and Camping Supplies and Reminder: You Said We Could Go Camping!! Just because it's something he's very excited about and he wants it on record that he's this excited, mind, not because he thinks they'd forget, or anything like that. No, this is pure, unbridled enthusiasm for sitting in a tent for at least one day and one night...

In any case, he makes a bunch of Camping Purchases including at least a few things that don't make it onto the Judge's (actually knowledgeable) list, and so most of his luggage that comes on this train is, indeed, camping stuff. It's fine! He's not made the terrible mistake of unpacking the tent only to find that tents never go back into their original packaging the same way, so: he's good. He has a canteen! Very exciting! He even has granola bars, which he will inevitably think are disgusting, but for now: they seem very interesting!!

Anyway, several excitable messages later, when the train arrives, and he is loitering around waiting for the Judge to come and get this camping effort going with him. He has also purchased some sunglasses, which look very cool on him, if he does say so himself. So cool.

When the Judge arrives, Constantin holds up something that was not on the camping list, which he immediately flicks on to whir and blow minimal air. Neat isn't it!!!!]

There you are! And look at this! I sensed it might be of some use out here in the wilderness.

[It's a fruit fan for kids. Anyway, hi bud... who's excited...]

[violentum]

[ The Judge's list they give Constantin is, by their estimation, more than the essentials. But, given Constantin has never gone camping and certainly has not lived in the wilderness for the last twelve or so years as they have, they included a few extra things for comfort.

They're still determined to cook over a fire, because they know how to do that, and trying to figure out a gel propane stove or something similar when they've just relearned to use a modern range and oven is... not appealing.

Instead, they gave Constantin a list of options to pick from for a (small) menu, whatever he felt he might enjoy eating that wouldn't disagree with him. Those ingredients they have in a small insulated bag with an ice pack.

Reading Constantin's excited messages earn fond replies; mostly, they let him chatter away, only replying to let him know they're still paying attention.

They lift a hand in their muted, customary sort of greeting when they spot him, before turning their attention to the fan. It's... cute, they suppose. Useless, but cute. The Judge clears their throat to cover a chuckle, and just shake their head slightly. ]

[takeroot]

[Useless but cute arguably describes Constantin as well, so thanks for that moral support. No, he's emotional support— just like this fan. He flicks it off once he's satisfied that his point has been made, that it's very nice, and considers it a moment before he tucks it into an inside pocket of his coat.]

Shall we go at once? Are we ready to set off on our grand adventure? I hear they have plentiful flowers here, and I would love to see every single one of them.

[He's going to vibrate right out of his skin if he has to wait for much longer. Please, it's time to divvy up carrying these myriad supplies and go!!]

[violentum]

[ A quiet huff of amusement, and the Judge nods. Yes, they can go. They gesture first to suggest as much, and begin walking. They glance over Constantin, and then:

Do you want me to carry something? They're pretty sure that's more stuff than they put on the list. ]

[takeroot]

Oh— that would help, yes. I may have procured a few extra items in my excitement to get going...

[He's got Stuff. Please, take whatever Stuff is convenient, he'll do his best to keep the rest of it from spilling. There are probably snacks somewhere in this pile just in case, don't worry about those, he'll still eat fire-roasted dinner!!]

Whatever suits you! I will manage the rest!

[But he might get Tired and Whine about it, so pros, cons.]

[violentum]

[ 'Whatever suits them' turns out to be... most of this haul Constantin has. They don't mind carrying the bulk of the load. Once sorted and shouldered, the Judge returns to their phone, and they point the direction to walk.

A few moments later, they send Constantin a map of the trail they're taking. It's not completely off the beaten path. They're comfortable exploring, but best not to throw someone new to the whole thing in the deep end, so to speak.

Just nice, light camping! And, finally with everything straightened out, the Judge returns to their conversation. I'm glad you're excited. It's cute.

Constantin had seemed to appreciate the compliment before, and it is cute. ]

[takeroot]

[Most of the haul... Constantin is, ah, not going to complain about this, as it turns out. He will shoulder his comparatively smaller burden, fruit fan included, and follow them down the trail. And oh, a map, that's fun... ordinarily he would not be so interested in zooming in and out on this map, but this is an Exploration and so he's very into it. How many landmarks can he make for himself, a grand idea—]

Oh— [ahaha... yes, well, maybe!! maybe so!!] I couldn't help it if I tried! But I would not be half so excited if I didn't have such an amenable guide.

[Bonding activity... bonus points.]

So— thank you for coming with me. Imagine if I were to traverse this wilderness all on my own? I would never be seen again, a mystery lost to time...

[Or he'd call someone an hour after getting stupid lost, but like, the romance of being a local cryptid? Very high.]

nyskie

[takeroot]

[So, Constantin sprouting vines from places he shouldn't isn't news, necessarily. Nyskie has seen him at his... floralest, as it were, and if it weren't for the adverse personality effects these new vines seem to come with, this would just be another day with Constantin (tm). Like, yeah, there are some green things that have wriggled out from under one of his eyes, and the way several of them push out of his skin definitely looks a lot worse than he seems to be acting, but!

Plants! Plants, indeed, seem to be the only thing he cares about after just a day of this odd, extra sprouting; he's been just as relentlessly into it, as he tends to be, but his attitude towards any and all other people has dipped into vague nonconcern; other people are, like, there? That's true? But he would much rather look at his plant parts in any moderately reflective surface he can find, and soon dismisses any and all suggestions to wander around and do fun things like, uh, trespass. Their Roommate Usual (tm).

It's just not as appealing as his eyeball vines, see. He genuinely, above all else, wants to sit around and stare at his plant reflection, and the most conversation one might eke out of him is about plants; will he perhaps bloom? Wouldn't that be something?

All things considered, it's mostly just obnoxious, and one would be perfectly within their rights to just leave him to it, mooning over his horrible skin growths while coldly dismissing everything else. He's just! Not! Interested! Maybe later, he will improve...?

Or not, because his affect remains distant at best until he up and vacates the premises abruptly, and it's around one in the morning that, inexplicably, he sends Nyskie a message.

It's a selfie. Constantin, in said selfie, does not look at all aware of his surroundings, or even of his selfie-taking, but it is indeed... a selfie. In the background, the lake, and more prominently, the Siren spectre floating in the middle of it.

So like, pro: finally a real ghost pic. Con: everything else currently happening.]

[gliblie]

[Okay. It isn’t as though Nyskie needs to constantly be up in Constantin’s business. They’re not joined at the hip; she can do her own thing, and she frequently does! However—however! On this particular day, Constantin does not properly appreciate any of the Very Important Pictures she sends him during her investigations of the town. And when she goes to find him in order to give him a hard time, all he wants to do is mope around and stare at the sprouts coming out of his face.

At first she feels kind of snubbed. But, when even her most relentless pestering and poking fails to elicit much of a reaction from him, her sour mood turns to worry. The plants are pretty par for the course, but this? This isn’t like Connie at all.

It seems pretty obvious that he’s caught whatever has been afflicting the local gems, but she has no idea what to do about it. For a while she resigns herself to sitting around with him and being bored out of her mind while he gazes into the mirror. Eventually, though, she gets stir crazy enough that she hazards a short walk around the neighbourhood just for a change of scenery. It’ll be fine to leave him, right? He’s just sitting there, and she’s not going to be gone for all that long.

Except that when she comes back, he has totally vanished. She was gone for like twenty minutes! How could this have happened?! Connie!

So it’s back out into the street she goes, searching for her wayward roommate. Nyskie cares not for the lateness of the hour as she dashes around the neighbourhood, yelling his name at the top of her lungs on every street corner. The thing is that even if he heard her, she isn’t sure that he would answer, but it still doesn’t stop her from doing it.

Wow, this sucks! It very genuinely sucks, which is why, when she gets Constantin’s sweet ghost selfie, Nyskie springs into the air and flies at an absolutely breakneck speed out to the nearest lake, hoping that it’s the right one.]

Connie!

[takeroot]

[Constantin's journey to the lake is unremarkable, mostly due to the fact that he's hardly aware of any of it. He's aware of the woman above the water, and how very badly he would like to reach her, no matter how long he has to wade out there or how far... He's almost aware of sending the selfie, which means it will be a fun thing to laugh about later.

Maybe. Probably.

He's not aware of Nyskie shouting for him as she gets closer; he can hear the sound, yes, and some deep part of him recognizes his own name, but it's so strongly pushed down by the rest of him that wants to reach the center of the lake so very badly that, well— there's nothing.

It is the right lake, by some miracle; he's nearly hip deep in it when Nyskie bursts onto the scene, and maybe it's the proximity that reaches him more directly this time, because he does turn... Still, there's nothing in his expression to indicate he's aware of her overt concern. He points, instead, at the siren in the lake, wading a wee bit further out...

Does it help that he gestures for Nyskie to come with? Now, it is time to hang out? No this doesn't help at all.]

[gliblie]

[It’s hard for her to see far in the gloom as she streaks toward the lake, but she does see him, poised in the shallows, already on his way to join the others below the water’s still surface. She glances in the direction of his gesture, and her stomach flips wildly as she catches sight of the siren too.

Or maybe it’s just from the sudden change in altitude as she arcs like a comet down into the water, plunging into the lake at Constantin’s side with enough haste to send water exploding skyward into the night air. She lunges out of the water to wrap her arms around his middle, grabbing tightly as she casts a wild glance back towards the spectre of the siren floating above the lake’s surface.]

Connie, where do you think you’re going? Stop!

[takeroot]

[Well, here is the thing about grabbing him at a lunge: being a bit of a zombie at the moment does not make him more robust, in fact it probably makes him less, and so, ah—

There he goes, tipping over gracelessly and taking her with him. The shock of suddenly being underwater doesn't wake him up; he thrashes around a bit before he can get himself to sitting, boggling at her without comprehending why she is! trying! to stop him! What the fuck, Nyskie! The lake ghost lady needs his presence!!

However, he does manage to speak his frustrations, if brief:] Rude! I am going there—

[—And he... twists, not even trying to break out of her hold, now attempting to, ah, walk on his knees further into the water... here he goes... hobblin'.]

[gliblie]

[Nyskie’s vital train of questioning is abruptly interrupted by an unplanned second dunk in the lake, which somehow does not convince her to relinquish her grasp on Constantin, despite his thrashing. She gasps raggedly when they do resurface, and sends an accusatory look right back at him.]

No! You’re not!!

[Nyskie does actually regain her feet, and takes advantage of Constantin’s relative buoyancy in the water to attempt to haul his leggy body back towards shore, somehow still finding the breath to complain as she does. Oh, she’s being rude? She’ll show him rude.]

What, some shadowy ghost bint crooks her finger your way and you forget all about me? I don’t think so! She can find someone else to lure into her watery clutches!!

neria

[takeroot]

[Really, when people start going missing, Constantin is more than happy to stay indoors and not go anywhere or risk anything. That is the best idea, is it not? Just stay in one place and don't talk to strangers, especially not any that are also strange aliens— but.

When it's children that go missing... his heartstrings are pulled far too hard for him to sit back with his fingers in his ears and pretend it isn't happening. So off he goes to offer his help in investigating the last-seen-here sites of various gem children, his verve for investigating hampered not at all by his underlying fear of being himself kidnapped. Not when there are children at stake!

Even when the mood starts to drop from general worry to hopeless despair among the locals, and the first survivor is found and shipped off to the hospital with less than ideal prospects, Constantin is determined to get something out of this venture. For the sake of the children, who are no doubt frightened and cold and alone somewhere, and what kind of person would simply abandon a child because the investigation is hard and he's tired and it's upsetting—

The other thing that hampers him is that he doesn't know the first thing about investigating. He's decided to just... look at things closely? Is that anything? He doesn't know what questions to ask or what he's even looking for, so it's after he's stared long and hard at a muddy shape half-pressed into the ground that he offers to... whoever will listen:]

Is this some manner of footprint? What sort of a thing could leave this, do you think?

[spellpower]

[ Neria's reaction to children going missing is similar to Constantin's, though with the added guilt of a past mistake that can never be forgotten. And it's not like every child saved does anything to alleviate that guilt, but that's one more parent she can return a child to safely instead of hearing wail in despair. So she heads out despite the warnings and looks for clues that might reveal what's going on. Maybe these people are being taken to a secret lair hidden by magic? Surely there will be some signs of that.

Stopping beside the man, she tilts her head at the shape before getting down on her haunches to look. ]

It looks like it, though it's awfully disturbed. We should look for a clearer one. Come on.

[ She hops back up, ready to take over this footprint investigation. ]

[takeroot]

[Oh, good, she seems to know what she's doing in all this. Constantin is relieved, a feeling he shows by kind of swaying as he takes a step back to let her squat down and stare at the print(?) more closely. He's running on fumes, but yes, let's find more prints...]

Yes, alright. You lead the way, I will— take pictures.

[Which is something he dimly thought of just now, but he'll do it, tugging his phone out of his pocket to stoop down briefly and snap a picture of the smeared print on the ground. There, this is the thing they're looking for, he's helping.

He gestures as he straightens back up, nodding for her to go on; he is more than happy to give over leadership of this search.]

Let us be off before... [more tragedy.] Well, before.

[spellpower]

All right.

[ It's not a bad idea to have pictures to refer back to. Technology's all kinds of useful. ]

There should be more close by if it is a print. Whatever it is can't have too wide a gait.

[ She moves carefully since the ground here is still muddy and her boots want to stick in it. ]

Here. This looks clearer.

[ She gets down beside the next one and now it becomes clear that it's a footprint. Like one a bipedal creature would have. ]

[takeroot]

You can tell that from half a smudge?

[He shuffles after her, phone still in hand. He doesn't know anything about wide gaits or how creatures actually function -- assuming this is, indeed, a creature.

The possibility that it's one of their fellows in the midst of an off-schedule transformation has occurred to him, in the worst-case-scenario kind of way. Imagine, if they were harboring a child kidnapper...

But he comes up beside her to crouch down and take another picture - or two, just in case. If these are just some big deer tracks he's going to flip his gourd.]

Well, I have no idea what this could be.

[spellpower]

Sure.

[ What, like it's hard? ]

What else could do it but something moving? See how the mud is pushed up higher in the back? That comes from forward movement and lifting your foot in mud.

[ She demonstrates by pushing her boot down in the mud before taking a step forward. Her foot slides back a little, mud gathering on the back of her boot before she lifts her foot away. ]

I can't tell what it is either. It's a completely new world; it could be any type of animal I'm unfamiliar with.

[ A pause before she admits: ]

I'm not exactly a hunter either. The things I track aren't creatures you'd want to eat. But I suppose with people being kidnapped it might not be an animal anyway, but some sort of being with intelligence. [ But then again, darkspawn. ] Or that's part of a hivemind.

france

[takeroot]

[For someone as excited about plants as Constantin is, hmm, all the time, nothing beats the Flower Fair and the vertical gardens. Yes, the wilderness is very pretty and he's itching to go get lost-but-not-too-lost in it, but for that he would like a buddy. There's no meaning in it if it's just him sitting on a log somewhere among the trees! That's just sitting on a log! So: the fair first, and he will either acquire a new pal or strongarm one of his old pals into going exploring with him.

After, of course, he expires all of the flower-related things to do and see here. Somebody back on Yaranak has already given him the delightful gift of a leather strap bracelet with a single bee-shaped wooden charm on it, so fun, and now he's exercising his recently-acquired talent of making flower crowns to, ah...

Well, to try. He's okay at it. He could be better, but the flowers are just as pretty, so the learning curve is fine... probably.

What matters is that he's having a lovely time, and when the making of the crowns becomes a little more, eh, frustrating than rewarding, he loops the ones he's managed to finish over his arm and sets to wandering with a handful of other flowers in tow. What better way to spend the afternoon than looking for beautiful people to hand flowers to, which is precisely what he does when he crosses paths with a good-looking stranger. Wow, like recognizes like, haha... anyway: he holds out a flower with a flourish and a meaningful tip of his head.]

Here— for you, to go with your pretty eyes.

[lame... please take the flower!!]

i'm ready.

[amant]

[ Like does find like, which is good as France is worthless when not trying to seduce a perfectly good stranger. He's done well to keep himself occupied, especially once the shock of riding a magic space train has worn thin. Quaint storefronts easily caught his eye. A variety of foods beckoned him to sample away. Then there was a matter of the locals, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. All in all, he's enjoying himself.

Respectfully.

He is particularly fond of flowers though, especially when they are given with such subtle compliments. Very subtle. ]

I must be distracted. I didn't realize we were making eyes at one another across the way.

[ It might sound like the kind of dismissive teasing an uninterested suitor throws out to let someone down lightly but it's not. He's just very old and very used to people fawning over him, leaving him to be nothing but a spoiled brat. Perhaps the sunny smile he offers Constantin will make up for it.

The flower is taken with a laugh and quiet thanks, right before he weaves it into his long hair. An eyebrow raises mischievously. ]

How does it look, now that there's a closer comparison?

[ Wow, he really does flirt like it's necessary for his survival doesn't he? He will take the opportunity to give his new buddy a look. Handsome in that frail kind of way. He can dig it. His eyes drop to the loop of crowns. ]

Oh! I used to enjoy making those so much when I was little. I'm probably horribly out of practice though.

oh my god there's 2 of them.jpg

[takeroot]

[Constantin doesn't make eyes so much as abruptly glance, easily distracted by the next thing as he often is. But this place's whole thing is flowers, and so that common thread and the acceptance - and even buy in! wow! - of his very suave flower line has hooked him in. He will not, in fact, wander away to hand out more flowers, instead canting his head to watch that first flower get woven into his fun new pal's hair.

Hmm, yes, very pretty. Love that. You know what would be better? More flowers.]

Stunning— quite marvelous. Very lucky that I had precisely the most flattering bloom at precisely the right moment!

[How convenient!! And ah, glancing down at his crown loop-]

I am about as proficient as a child at making these, myself. Shall we try our hand at it together?

a nightmare.

[amant]

[ A wondering eye settles on the shiniest baubles. That's what France would like to say, but he's unrepentant in how much he enjoys the attention so there's a bit of bias there. Some would fidget under scrutiny. France, the dandiest bastard of them all, thrives. Luckily for Constantin his follow-up is much smoother than his opening line.

France might even smirk at his companion's enthusiasm. Perhaps he will indulge in getting better acquainted to his fellow gembonded after all. No need to be shy. ]

How fortuitous. Do you believe in fate?

[ This is clearly just banter and not the overly attached kind to be concerned over. Gosh, Susan. It's half the fun. At the mention of his expertise, France barely stops himself from snorting. ]

I wasn't going to say anything but perhaps I could help you with your technique?

[ For flower crowns, clearly... Clearly he's got a bit of free time in his calendar, being new and all. ]

Consider it a thanks for your generous gift. What was your name again?

[ Besides Dances with Cheekbones because those are fantastically distracting??? ]

[takeroot]

[The fateful meeting... of Constantin and a guy who can maybe teach him to make flower crowns more successfully. The literal goddess of spring hadn't managed to get very far with him in this particular area, so he is broadly unskilled, but—]

I am a quick study in almost all things— sometimes.

[So, like, not flower crowns, actually, is implied. He will however take the help, and in exchange he holds out one of his less than stellar crowns to seal the deal. It's still looped around his arm, so perhaps he is offering his arm, instead...?

Either? Both? It's both. Come, he knows where the Good Flowers are.]

My name is Constantin, and I am in your capable hands. Let us away to the nearest grove, before the best of them are claimed...!

[amant]

[ Don't question the fates, Constantin. You were destined to make beautiful flower crowns to catch the fancy of all your whims. Consider this France becoming your cosmic wingman. A chrysanthemum connoisseur.

He offers a sympathetic tut, casting the man a look. There, there. They can't all be winners. In the very least France is confident enough that even if Constantin weren't offering his arm, he'd probably second guess himself until he was.

Of course France takes the arm. He wants to be led to the Good Flowers, damn it. ]

Please, if I fail I fail the both of us. [ And he's not down to fail. ] You can call me Francis. [ Sometimes it was just easier to bypass offering his real name with the looks it got and the inevitable Explanation of Nations. France wants to enjoy himself in a simple way. By God if he has to swat people away from the good blooms he will, and surely look very impressive to Constantin. Duh. ]

Are you French with a name like that, my friend? I'd say so. [ Let him adopt the cute guy walking arm in arm with him okay. ]