this might get a little dumb

[iconoclassist]

[Which is to say, Shirin makes strange life decisions. Perhaps it's because Konstantin took it upon himself to try and make her forest safer for travelers, or perhaps it's because his pants seem like they're fucking vacuum sealed onto him, or maybe she just really likes snakes, but Shirin seems to have decided that how you befriend mortals is to follow them around like a bitchy shadow.

But the upshot is, for the duration of his stay in the woods, she's been an ever-present, helpful, and kind of obnoxiously insistent presence. Whatever it is he finds himself doing today, she's probably not that far...it seems like she's most active doing spirit things at night, anyway. Even so, it's been a couple weeks (word was sent that the children had been sent home safely and are doing well!), and it's probably getting ridiculous.

So, what are you being stalked on, Konstantin?]

Comments

[fieldarcanum]

You spirits are people of your word. If he swore he wouldn't to you, then why would he then go back on it? What would change his mind so?

[He does seem to naturally inch closer to her.]

...his children, then?

[iconoclassist]

Children...[...Shirin you had to have felt he had new ones. How fucking out of the loop have you been.] Oh, the ones after Liam went and killed Crow and Bravante. Right...

[She tilts her head a little, considering.] ...I don't even know their names. And I'm not talking to that glorified lightbulb...I'll have to ask Bravante's reincarnation, he has to have gotten around to that by now.

[If it hadn't already been made clear, Konstantin may realize exactly how long Shirin's isolated herself out here...]

[fieldarcanum]

[That.... actually makes him laugh a little bit. Like legitimately so.]

You are absolutely ridiculous in your own ways, Shirin. Do you aim to talk to him in person, then?

[iconoclassist]

I have to. I hate radios. Besides, this is a little too important to just make a call for, isn't it?

[Puffing her cheek out.] And who are you calling ridiculous?

[fieldarcanum]

I am calling you ridiculous, and you will do nothing because you know I am completely correct to do so.

[Also because when he grins like that he's noticed she stares a bit.]

[iconoclassist]

[She does. But then she also flicks him in the nose. Gently! But she is not afraid of you, snek.] Calling me ridiculous in my own forest...the nerve of some of you mortals. Maybe I'll just go back to the other side of the shelter and leave you cold, Konstantin?

[fieldarcanum]

Maybe I will tell you to leave my shelter. Besides, you're wearing wet clothes and I have all the blankets.

[He does. There's like four emergency blankets here and they're all his.]

[iconoclassist]

Should I take them off then? [Let's just. Drop that one in the middle of conversation, and see what he does.]

To not get the sheets wet, I mean. Besides, I'm not leaving if you ask, if the weather's been fucked with I need to keep an eye on the first mortal I've let wander around in here in the last...

[...She actually pauses because she needs to count back.] ...107 years?

[fieldarcanum]

I am amazed you haven't. I thought most spirit clothing was made of mana? If it isn't drape it over the heater and get under a blanket. I can't imagine it's comfortable at all, soaked as you are.

[He... actually is willing to give up one of those blankets, then, it seems.]

[iconoclassist]

[She pauses for a moment, and then does as he's told her. Seems her outer layer is real clothing, but the under layer shimmers and then vanishes and, uh, well she's real pretty. And real naked. And coming over to this blanket nest with a sneck in it.]

...You sure? I could do something else to keep me tided over, for the night. You look like you sort of want to die.

[Also, she can't get cold or frostbite or anything like that, she's a forest spirit living in the north, there's a reason she's always fantastically warm.]

[fieldarcanum]

Either take a blanket or join me in here, Shirin. I offer you the choice freely.

[That is to say, the snek is surprisingly even tempered, though he was amazed she banished that under layer and summoned back nothing, given the faint flush and wider eyes.]

[iconoclassist]

[Well the reaction was what she wanted, and she kind of chuckles, but, well. Into the cocoon she's going. And yeah, she's warm and soft and smells amazing. Good job, snek.]

Ah...I think this is a little unfair to you, isn't it?

[fieldarcanum]

[Given the nature of this cocoon she's pretty much stuck on him. He's not complaining about it at all, though.]

In no few ways. How would you care to fix this, then?

[iconoclassist]

I have a few ideas. Need your consent for a couple of 'em.

[She actually laughs, at that, and grins at him.] One of them's as simple as me giving myself clothes again...although given your heartbeat, that might now be enough?

[fieldarcanum]

Well, if you do, I may have to pull you out of them again. But I feel you may enjoy the novelty! After all, this is the first time you've been held by someone in at least a century, isn't it?

[He laughs in return, but is watching her. Sneks sometimes stare a bit intensely.]

I have to wonder why it would be a mortal...

[iconoclassist]

...You know I fought on your side in the War, right? Or...I guess you wouldn't. If they teach it, it'd be Sadalbari, not Shirin.

[Sighing, some, and kind of leaning her head on his shoulder because they're in a cocoon and doing more would require de-cocooning.]

I was never any good at people. And I wasn't too happy with how I was treated...besides, somewhere quiet suits me just fine. Mortals will die if they wander into these woods, and I can't be everywhere to help them...it was safer to keep everyone away.

So what this is all meant to get at is, you're pretty, and I don't care if you're a mortal or not.