o1 ⚔ i got no secrets i got no friends

[bangitybang]

Characters: Janus Lefevre & you
Summary: Closed and open threads for Janus, which I'm starting now ALTHOUGH I PRObably can't tag back til next week. An erstwhile murderer goes about their business in a post-apocalyptic world, such as picking people up at the bar and eating cookies. It's fine.
Date(s): August & September 2017
Warnings/Notes: Possibly some sexual stuff, non-graphic references to violence



open { bar;

[in the past few years, janus has learned a thing or two about being a person, doing regular person things, like for example the time-honored tradition of kind of sort of maybe picking someone up at a bar. making friends. contributing through some mystical means to the defense of a refugee city outflung in the reaches beyond the multiversal apocalypse. you know, the usual.

janus is at the citadel tonight. though defense systems and mysterious laboratories may take up much of the building, the lounge still has its cheesy music and dance floor and opulent indoor forest. it's a little weird, but then again, so is janus— a shadw under 6', muscular, dressed all in black, without enough facial expressions, quiet as a shadow until they abruptly appear at one's elbow.]

Allow me to buy you a drink. [a beat. they remember that things in xistentia are in general free-- the booze at this bar, especially.] Or make you one. I'm very exact with measurements. Goldilocks' ideal partner, once she's legal.

[look. a few years ago, they were a lot less smooth than this.]

open { misc! weird stalking;

[it's not that janus is following anyone specifically, they just have a habit of watching people wherever they're at. it's surveillance. it's tactical.

so maybe that ends up being you, going for a cup of coffee in the morning or helping to move produce to a grocery store one afternoon, building a shed for the new crop or teaching or preparing defenses. whatever you're doing, it's the weight of an indiscreet stare that pulls your attention. the young man looks both a million miles away and weirdly intense, like a hawk focusing a teeny tiny field mouse from a mile away.

but if you but look at them, janus stiffens and then looks apologetic, looking away and then back again, unsure if the formality of an apology would make the offense worse or better. murder is a lot easier than this, u no u no]

closed to team oreo (rafa, arthur, era) { teeeeam oreoooo;

Hello, this is Janus

[you remember. the stilted young man from the internet, who boasted a truly incredible ability.]

I have come into possession of Oreo cookies or a reasonable facsimile thereof
Please let me know when you are available and where to meet you, as I would like to share this bounty
:D

[:D]

Comments

OREOS

[astralera]

The cookies of chocolate filled with icing?

I am available at any time, and am able to meet at any place.

daemon: janad

[bangitybang]

Yes those are the ones

I appreciate how game you sound

Do you have a home residence? Mine is extremely tiny, but you can come over here as well

[janus doesn't know how super tiny era is herself, you see.]

[astralera]

Is it correct to assume that game in this context means enthusiastic? [ twelve bless context for helping her decipher weird earth vernacular. ]

I have been camping in the forest since my arrival. I can set it up to be presentable for company if you would like.

[bangitybang]

[it is spectacularly odd for janus to be the one with the weird vernacular, but there's a first time for everything.]

If it wouldn't trouble you too much, I'd be happy to see your camp
Later I will host you in my home

[astralera]

[ time to clean up her tiny clearing then! ]

I can have things ready within twenty minutes. Shall I have my daemon send yours the coordinates?

bar;

[hasitsthorns]

[ One might think Rose is a masochist for coming to the Citadel for how much she complains about the shoddy DJing. In reality, she's more a sadist than anything. And she just really wants a semi-decent drink and is apparently willing to suffer through the terrible mixing to get it. The poor blond cringes when the music shifts from Africa by Toto to Def Leppard though.

She's contemplating leaving, actually, when suddenly there's someone in her personal bubble. It's not the first time someone's offered to buy her a drink (and hopefully, it won't be the last) but- A single eyebrow raises and smile tugs at the corner of her lips at that admittedly smooth recovery. Okay. This person has got some game, consider her intrigued. ]

And what about me? Do you think I'm just right?

[ It's likely hard to believe that this was the woman crying over her inability to hold hands just a little over a year ago. ]

[bangitybang]

I would've picked something superlative.

[maybe less sat words next time. janus gives themself an a- for that. but maybe she likes multisyllabic mouthfuls. they move over the top of the bar, and its like watching the flow of dark water. they're very graceful, moving with a boneless agility that's kept them alive for nearly two and a half decades now.

they give her a good-natured grimace at their own expense, self-deprecating. and then a lopsided smile.] You should order your drink. We could both use one, I think. [they open their long hands. in the ambient light of the bar, and the terrible music, the murdery calluses on their hands are. less visible.]

[hasitsthorns]

[ Luckily for Janus, Rose is absolutely a fan of multi-syllabic mouthfuls. She doesn't consider herself anything to magnificent or remarkable but- It's a nice sentiment, nonetheless. It shows in the way her smile only grows. The blond watches him move over the bar fluidly with interest.

For a brief second, the fighter in her is assessing their capabilities. Then the next, she's only a woman and considering more fun applications of such flexibility. ]

I agree. What's your speed? [ They're right. Rose doesn't notice their hands, but that could be because she's more keen to try and keep eye contact. Not analytical, but. Intrigued. ] I'm more of a Long Island lady myself. It's like five drinks in one!

[bangitybang]

[they are definitely, coincidentally, on the same page about all that. janus smiles at her as winsomely as they find possible, which is pretty winsomely for a young hunter whose been rather socially impaired most of their life.] Long Island Ice Tea it is, [they say. they had actually gotten an eyeful of the bar's contents earlier, being the type to study and prepare excessively for everything, up to and including getting a girl drunk. it's not creepy, it's just

diligent. and!! it means they're saved the awkward fumble of having to stop and look. they get glasses and liquors out, moving easily.]

I'll take one too. I always thought these taste like ice tea, though I read it's actually just named for the color. [a splash of triple sec.] It reminds me of summer, and she's my favorite season. [floridaaaa. they have incredible heat tolerance, really.]

weird stalking!!! lmk if this doesn't work c:

[memoryguardian]

[ While Janus is spying on an individual (and likely inevitably making them slightly uncomfortable), the tiniest fairy finds a perch on their shoulder. Little palms are placed flatly against the fabric of their shirt, the miniature creature leaning forward on her knees as if to peer at whatever Janus is.

Only seconds after, a bunny rabbit comes hop hopping up to Janus' side. ] Oi, Sheila, [ it suddenly speaks, in a voice much lower and masculine than probably anticipated. ] Leave the poor thing alone, would ya'? Looks like they got work they're doing. Don't need any fairies all up in their personal space.

[ The fairy turns to say (read: peep) something in retaliation but it's neatly distracted by a nearby fluttering of wings at hummingbird speed. In a colorful blur, Toothiana suddenly appears, ] There you both are! Now, just what are you- [ The rabbit's ears shoot up, nose twitches. The mini-fairy looks sheepishly at her larger version, giving a tiny chirp. ]

Oh, Janus, I'm sorry! I hope they weren't interrupting anything?

screaming til i disappear from the world

[bangitybang]

[they were interrupting... janus gargoyling creepily at the edge of a treeline while clutching a fast-cooling cup of coffee. it had felt productive to them, mostly because they were still getting to know the people of this town, their patterns and customs, how capable they were of protecting themselves or harming each other.

the whole creature of darkness, hunter in the shadows, all dressed in black with no facial expressions routine is somewhat foiled by the interruption of fairies and buns. janus blinks downward, owlishly. bun first, fairy second.

tooth, third, when she suddenly surges into their space, her wings stirring through janus' hair and clothes.] Nothing important, [they tell her.] Indulging some old habits. I think I just wanted something familiar that wasn't too familiar. [;;;] I'm ready for some dental feedback, that's a better use of my time.

c':

[memoryguardian]

I'm sorry still. Asterd just loves to hop off wherever he very well pleases [ she pointedly ignores the Oi! of protest from the rabbit ] and my girls, well! I think they've just taken a liking to you, if I'm not mistaken.

[ At the claim, the fairy on Janus' shoulder hides its (now pink) face in her hands. How embarrassing! Never mind that they are an extension of Tooth so, in a way, she's saying she's taken a liking to Janus too already.

She's touching down next to them, wings folding behind her neatly. ] But if it's dental feedback you want, then I'm definitely your gal! Let me see those teeth.

[bangitybang]

[despite an exceptionally positive high school experience, janus isn't accustomed to being well liked. it's part of their nature, to be suspicious of anything that influences their mood or their heart outside of the mission. they question things. they always have and always will.

but it's nice, to have small bird girls with good intentions all about them, and to be able to recognize that perhaps keeping their guard up isn't so necessary this time. thus, the first look that tooth gets of janus' teeth is the flash of a grin, embarrassed but pleased all the same. janus spares the disgruntled rabbit daemon only a moment's look, before setting their attention back on toothiana.

this is not the strangest experience they've had in their weird myth lifetime.]

Ahhhhh, [they say, opening their mouth. they are very meticulous about brushing— probably more than they 'should' be, but fortunately their connection to jay manages to offset most of the damage to their enamel.]

daemon: wildd

[tangleofgarlands]

oh!
hullo.
I'm not very busy at the moment. What about meeting at a pub? That way we don't have to worry about the beer.

[bangitybang]

That's a good idea
I have not been to the pubs, but I have seen the nightmarish little nightclub at the Citadel
Would you prefer the nightmare, or have you identified a pub?

[by now, no doubt there are multiple actual pubs around, free from f.a.te.s.' horrifying concept of djing.]

[tangleofgarlands]

I think nightmares might get in the way of biscuits and storytelling. My flatmate found a pub a while back; I'd have to double-check the address but it was nice.

[bangitybang]

Who is your flatmate? I don't have one of those
I will meet you at the pub once you find the address, cookies and all

team oreo-o-o

[mordacita]

[ Oh, this is interesting. He definitely hadn't expected it to come up so soon. ]

so then my friend
you mean to settle our bet???

very well. i can come to you after dark
tonight, if that suits. or if you would like, you can come to my farm?

[bangitybang]

I'm prepared for my victory
And the weather has turned, so I believe odds are in my favor.

[melty frosting helps no one.]

I would be delighted to come to your farm
I did not know you had one.
You will tell me what you grow there?

[mordacita]

if i am to be quite fair, i must admit it is more my husband's farm than mine
he grows vegetables, fruit
things for humans to eat. i am not good at it, but i am learning

come and see us :) kyd will send directions to you

[ Kyd sends that message, then blinks as it realises that's a command. A map point is sent to Janus quickly afterwards. ]

we have a fire i can light
after the experiment. to keep us warm.

→ action;

[bangitybang]

[janus loves growing things. more than they love killing things, to be honest. and they don't really love killing things, it's just-- necessary. and require skill, which they rather enjoy having, admittedly. they send rafa a confirmation, and it's not too much time at all before they're at the farm on a lovely evening. looking at the tidy rows of produce as they pass them by, pausing to reach out and touch the low-hanging frond of a tree. it doesn't bear any fruit, and it takes janus just a moment, sniffing, running their fingers over the bark, to determine that it's for the insect-repellant properties.

a few more long steps, and they blend out of the dark. black clothes and a sword strapped over their back, which will probably seem a little unnecessarily aggressive for an oreo date until they explain the nature of said weapon. it's fine.

knock knock. (a little self-consciously, in the interim, they move their head to the left of the door's peephole and ruffle their fingers through their hair. they've had eight years of practicing looking kissable, but it still doesn't feel like the work is done.)]

closed to clary fray;

[bangitybang]

[it's a nice gym, not as much the terrifying spartan murder preparation zone that the clan back home had been. there is standard gym equipment, workout machines, stationary cycles and treadmills, dumbells, weights, those kinds of things, clean. no sign of overgrown vegetation or dirt anymore. there even looks like people running the place. there's an open and closed sign up front that someone must flip around every few days, and janus has committed to paying for their membership with hunted game.

it's nice, but the only truly unexpected part is the sight of a red-haired woman swinging a sword in the sparring ring alone. the weapon in her hand is wooden, clearly made for practice rather than real combat. but she moves well, her feet skimming the floor the way dragonflies can crest on just the tension on the surface of a still pond. she has good balance. she's fought before, janus thinks. hard to know if it was for sport or with death on the line.]

Hello, [they call out.]

[creatio]

( Sometimes she misses Isabelle so much it's like a physical ache. The feeling comes at odd times, crests over her like a wave. Training is one of them. She'd gotten used to having the older girl at her side, correcting her form or complimenting her on her progress. It had made training less like a chore and more something that belonged in her blood and her bones. Here though, she has no choice but to go it alone. She doesn't want to bother Alec more than she does, and things with Jace continue to see-saw along the awkward scale. So Clary makes do, using wooden swords instead of seraph blades, opting most of the time to be runeless to work on herself without that power.

It's why she doesn't sense the other person approaching, and her sword dips in the air in surprise as she turns, red hair wild and falling into her face. )

Oh. ( Clary's smile is easy to arrive though, lowering the wooden weapon to her side. ) Hi, sorry. I didn't see you there.

[bangitybang]

[in a sense, you could say that janus knows nothing about fairytales. there's magic in their world— like angel-blooded girls or wicked monsters that thieve babies from their beds-- but they look at that world, and its girls, and its monsters with a disenchanted eye. what wards you can spell with a lock of a girl's hair, if she'll give it to you; how to kill a monster. they kill the romance in the fairytales.

but in another, truer sense, you could say that janus knows everything about fairytales, romance included. they know as well as-- or better than most people, the danger inherent to little girls, be their influence as subtle as the faraway whirlwind motion of red hair or as direct as a stabbing. you'll want to respect the way these stories can end.

and she seems nice.]

I was trying to be discreet, [janus answers, smiling. they come forward, stepping up to the edge of the sparring area floor.] I don't recognize the style you're fighting in, but your balance is excellent. I'd guess the edged weapon you'd normally use is curved, not straight?

[creatio]

( She looks surprised at that, her eyebrows arching a little towards her fiery hair. )

How did you know that?

( Her Seraph Blade isn't much use to her here, so it stays in her apartment gathering dust. Clary tries not to feel guilty about that, because it's not something she can help. But she's new to this whole Shadowhunter thing, to shrug it off so soon feels like it's cheating. )

You're right though. I'm definitely used to something different. But you work with what you've got, right?