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.

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. ]

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?

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.

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?

[bangitybang]

Yes that would be perfect

I will be on my way as soon as I receive them
And I will also bring a campwarming gift

[astralera]

[ coordinates sent! it's some place in the woods an equal distance away from the beach and the city itself. ]

The cookies will be gift enough. There is need to bother yourself.

I shall see you soon.

→ action;

[bangitybang]

[fifteen minutes is all it takes, and then janus is descending through the trees. light as a stray feather riding the breeze. which doesn't rhyme on purpose. their flight is an odd and soundless thing, requiring no wings or humming technology. when janus wants to fly, they fly.

and now they're coming down to earth, landing gently on the needles. they have a bag over one shoulder, a sturdy, utilitarian-looking olive green canvas thing.] Hello, [they call out. there's a sword at their hip. coming bearing arms probably seems a touch aggressive as far as campwarming appearances ago, but the fact of the matter is, the sword is their daemon. their hand is nowhere near it as they step through the trees, looking about.] Hello. My name is Janus. I am looking for a young woman from a world called Hydaelyn.

[astralera]

[ it would be hypocritical of her to find a sheathed sword threatening. not only does she always keep herself armed in some way (currently there is a codex on her hip which doesn't appear all that threatening given that it's a book, not a blade), it is far more common to see someone with a sword in her world than without.

it's the silent arrival that sets her on edge, leaving her mid-cast of a spell before she realizes who it is. Era had expected their arrival, yes. though they hadn't said anything about flight and so had assumed they would arrive on foot. only when Emeraldd rubs itself along the scales of her calf that Era begins to relax once more. ]

I am she. [ a moment's hesitation is all she has before her weapon is shut and placed firmly against her hip once more. ] It is good to meet you, Janus. I am Era Ra of the world Hydaelyn.

[bangitybang]

Era Ra, [janus says, by way of greeting. they don't know much of her customs-- but they're careful not to stare at the horns coming out of the sides of her tiny head as they advance. then they stick out their hand to shake hers, in case she's maybe assimilated that particular salutation as well.] It's a pleasure to meet you. [their eyes skim briefly down, over her legs. the scales.

it's very interesting. they don't know how to ask about it just yet, so they don't.] Did I interrupt you in the middle of something? It felt that way. [maybe it was a gesture, or some subtle break in her attention. janus doesn't know that it'd ben magic she was working with.]

[astralera]

[ Era shakes the proffered hand. While not overly common - at least in her experience - it isn't unheard of in Eorzea, especially among businessmen. She catches the brief glance over her scales and appreciates that their gaze doesn't linger, though it's still enough to make her relieved to be wearing a top that covers most of the scales on her upper body. Just because she is accustomed to it and doesn't take offense to it doesn't mean she isn't still slightly uncomfortable when too much attention is brought to them, even with how proud she is of her Auri heritage.

She shakes her head in answer to Janus' question. ]

I had been awaiting your arrival, though I did not hear you coming.

[bangitybang]

[janus motions up at the sky, which is blue and clear and lovely above them. no sign of apocalypse. you could never tell that countless worlds are ending in fire and pain somewhere else.] I can fly, [they say. they manage to look both a little proud and a touch abashed about it.] It's because I'm connected to a harpy. They're a type of magical being in my world, part bird and part human. Sometimes I can have feathers when I want to, too.

This is a nice glade you've chosen. [janus casts about looking for somewhere to sit. tree stump? ground that looks specified? they aren't picky, and while they're plenty rude at other times, it wouldn't be about anything like this. they're already beginning to shrug their bag down to one shoulder.] Any particular reason?

[astralera]

[ Part-bird and part-human reminds her uncomfortably of Garuda, but she does her best to disassociate the two in her mind. Era is sure that real 'harpies' are not as horrifically insane as the Lady of the Vortex. ]

It sounds convenient. I can only fly with the assistance of a mount. [ Feathers also seem convenient in certain situations - or at least good for insulation if the Ixali of Natalan are any indication ]

It is equidistant from the shoreline and the city.

[ she has a log she spent about ten minutes or so putting the finishing touches on the cushioned leather coverings she placed on the seat-sized grooves she carved into a log. she also has a tiny table beside it; enough for two people to have a cup of tea on if nothing else. her camp is very spartan, lacking even a tent or shelter, but has a fire pit, the aforementioned seating and table, and a nest of moss, straw, and blankets tucked between some tree roots. ]

[bangitybang]

[the first eyes that janus had scanned the camp with had looked only for one thing: the likelihood of threat. no major suspicion, merely old training, pragmatic and without sentiment.

and now--

janus falls silent for a moment. they look at the log, the leather settled over the butt-friendly divots she'd carved in. the diminutive table she set up there, just large enough for— exactly what she wanted.] It's perfect, [they say, after a moment.] And I'm not only referring to your choice of geography, although I like that too. You're good with wood.

[they say this with a straight face. somebody can laugh at both their vernacular someday. janus swings their bag down on the softly-stamped earth and places themself on one of the log seats. out of the bag, they pull out a set of big, boldly colored drawing implements. the set is labeled: liquid chalk, and also, pastel.] This is the campwarming present, [they tell her quite seriously, handing it over.] So that you may produce decoration. It shouldn't harm any of the plants or whatever you want to draw or write on.

[astralera]

[ Era inclines her head in thanks. ] My thanks. I am not a master carpenter, but I have learned enough. My leatherworking skill supplemented the rest.

[ one day she needs to learn all sorts of slang so she can be even more baffled by everything.

for now she will settle on being utterly baffled by what Janus has brought. ] It will write on plants?

[bangitybang]

I think so, [janus says. they push the pack of markers a bit, to settle it firmly in her hand, and then they shift their fingers to open the flap. they take one marker out. it turns out to be the pastel green one, a seafoam shade.] We can give it a try. [they pull the cap off and then turn it around instructively, chugging it at era so that she knows to grasp it.]

Write your friend's name, [the hunter suggests.] Perhaps right here. they point down at the gap of wood on the log between their respective seats.

[and while she's doing that, janus will go ahead and start taking out the oreos. it's a bit wrong-- f.a.t.e.s. doesn't entirely know what she's doing. the cookie package is yellow instead of blue, but the photos on the front and the logo still looks right. in another universe, there'd be some kind of copyright suit.]

[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.]

[astralera]

[ Era catches it easily, reflexes well honed after years of constant fighting. It's still a considerably strange tool - far different from the quills and ink wells she uses. She gives the suggestion some thought, but eventually shakes her head with a bemused smile. Instead, Era wanders over to the tree the bed rests under and begins writing her Chocobo's name P E K I very slowly and carefully (to make sure her handwriting is neat despite the foreign tool) in her native alphabet across the trunk of it. ]

[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.

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 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.]

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.