(no subject)

[refire]

Who: Alphen and you 
Which: open log 
What: Alphen's taking dogs out for a walk. 
Warnings: possible mentions of depression and death. 


1. the streets of reverein  

No, Wait! Come back! Black Fang! White Shadow! Gray Claw!

[Alphen's running for his life while chasing after three puppies. The dogs run away from him and hide behind the next bystander they see. ]

Sorry to bother you with this but have you seen a dog around here?

[He looks a little apologetic. It's been a crazy day. ]  

1.b 

That's weird. I could swear this thing was talking and walking before. 

[He's holding up something that looks like a dog that's made out of plush. That used to belong to Law so Alphen decided to take care of it for the time being.  ]

Now it's not really saying anything. Listen I know it's just a plush but it used to walk and talk before. Do you know about enchantment magic?

[Enchantment magic isn't something that he's particularly skilled at. ] 

2. around the smithy 

Maybe I should get back to work.

[Alphen might seem a little off somehow. He doesn't look like his usual self anymore. His eyes look different and his hand has a drastically changed in appearance as well. He looks more like a monster that way. Seems as if he's been trying to hide these changes under bandages.


Either way it does look suspicious. The nightmare influence is strong and affecting him to this extent. It's gotten to the point where it's noticeable.]

There's a lot of things I still have to check up on. The smithy should be open right about now too. It's been a while. I want to see how things are doing there. 

3. [Wild card]

[feel free to wild card as always.] 
 

Comments

smithy

[luciing]

[ Somnus is here. He's always here, because he is a phantom and requires no sleep, giving him ample time to work on any various projects, collections, or crafts.

It's immediately apparent that Alphen is far worse for wear than any other time he's seen him. ...And that includes the time Alphen had passed out from working on a road. And that time he had been devastated after Shionne's departure. The man has a penchant for both overworking and overestimating himself. Neither trait makes him currently suitable to handle the equipment of a smithy.

And then, more importantly, there is the matter of how warped his hand appears, even encased by bandages. So as soon as Alphen enters the shop, Somnus lifts his hand, calling for him to stop. ]

Hold.

[refire]

Oh hey, long time no see. How are things with you?

[Alphen's just so casual about everything that he doesn't even see anything wrong with himself. ]

I just wanted to see what's going on. Feels like I haven't been down here for a bit. Are you well??

[Maybe he should get himself checked before he starts asking how Somnus is doing.]

[luciing]

[ Instead of answering, Somnus merely frowns. He doesn't move, preventing Alphen from going any further into the shop. ]

Look at yourself. You are in no state to work.

[ He'll have none of that nightmare energy in his workshop, thanks. ]

[refire]

Believe me I know that better than anyone. I just don't know what else I have to do now. I've already tried looking for other options.

[ Looks like Alphen's gonna have to take more time off from work then. It's a shame. He likes this place so he hopes he gets better soon. ]

Spent all that time searching for ways to stop this so it's not as if I haven't been doing nothing. I could use your help though.

1a

[judicialassistant]

!!

[ Susato nearly trips and drops her bag she is carrying when a rambunctious ball of fluff suddenly curls around her legs. Just one, though. She looks down in surprise, and there is the sound of the bag crinkling when she adjusts for the shifted weight.

She looks up a moment later. ]

Alphen! Sorry, it's just this one here that nearly ran me over. Is he yours?

[refire]

Thanks, Susato. Technically they're not mine. Law's the one who used to take care of these little guys but he's not around here anymore.

[So now he's been screaming over dogs for the past few hours. It's going wonderfully. ]

I have no idea how he managed this. I think White Shadow likes you.

[judicialassistant]

[ 'Not around'?

It won't take her long to figure out what that means, but in that initial moment, she's rather distracted by White Shadow. Susato stares longingly, but makes no attempt to bend down or pet the dog with her arms full. ]

He probably smells the food. Here, could you assist me...?

[ She'll attempt to offer the bag to Alphen. She's got this, okay!! There are so many animals at the Harvest, and also Eustace's pups love her. ]

2

[menancia]

['Look suspicious' is, perhaps, a gentle way of putting it. It's entirely by chance that Dohalim crosses paths with Alphen while he's out and about; he had missed his friend leaving their shared residence earlier that day, and happens upon him near the smithy on his way to the conservatory for the afternoon.

He pauses before saying anything to start, a frown tugging at his lips as his gaze falls to Alphen's hand.]

... Alphen.

[He had thought something had been amiss, that Alphen wasn't quite himself as of late, but Dohalim has been so occupied with his own business that he hadn't realized just how far this had gone.]

Looking in on the smithy?

[His tone is light, careful. There is more he wants to say, but he'll give it a moment.]

[refire]

Oh, hey Dohalim. Yeah I thought about saying hi. I don't think I'm ready to go back to work yet though.

[It's a shame. He likes that place a lot so he hopes that he can return soon.]

Might need more time. We've been busy.

[menancia]

I see.

[It's hardly an unreasonable thought or plan of action— work, he has come to understand, is not just about practicality, but it is good for the soul to make oneself useful. Alphen, he knows, is good at what he does, but these changes he seems to be undergoing...]

I've no doubt your collaborators would be quite glad to see you, even if it was only to say hello. However—

[How to approach this?]

Alphen, may I ask— how have you been feeling?

1.b

[kikuichi]

[Norimune blinks when a young man asked him a question. And holding up an absolutely adorable little dog... toy?]

Enchantment? Why, no, I don't.

[None of his stories include such powers, thus he carry none.]

But can I take a look at the little one? I promise to be careful.

[refire]

If you promise me you'll be careful with it I'll let you take a look.

[He just wants to be kind to the little plush dog. ]

His name is Boreas.

[ Alphen's introducing him with a gesture. ]

[kikuichi]

[He slowly reach out to touch the plush dog, his exposed fingers gently touching the fur. Fluff?]

What a wonderful name. Is he the only one of his kind?

[His touches are careful and deliberate, feeling the little plush dog's body. Checking to see if there's anything off. If nothing else, it's soft and pleasant to his fingers.]

smithy

[chefalier]

[He's been meaning to visit Alphen for a long time now, especially since he's rather proud of his work as a blacksmith. While Sanji has no expertise in creating weapons, he knows when someone is passionate about their craft and that's something he can appreciate.

As such, he's also brought over his own seafood curry for Alphen to try, but upon seeing the state that his friend is in, Sanji immediately frowns. Well, that's probably not great.]

Oi, Alphen.

[It's not difficult to notice the chance in his appearance and while he understands the need to push oneself, Sanji is also Pretty Worried about him.] ...Have you eaten anything at all?

[refire]

Hey, Sanji.

[Alphen has always enjoyed Sanji's company. Today's no exception. He's just a little more drained than usual.]

Not really, I haven't had much time to sit down and think about it. Maybe we should eat something together.

[It might be nice to eat with a familiar face. ]

[chefalier]

Well, lucky for you, I have extra food with me. Seafood curry.

[Guess he won't admit that he cooked something for Alphen in the first place. Don't mind Sanji being a little tsundere grumpy, because that's how he is towards guys, but he truly does care about Alphen and his health.]

Got a good place to sit?

1!

[monoceroscaeli]

[He was already having a good day, and it's only going to be made better when a bunch of puppies suddenly run up to him and hide out behind his legs. Surprised, he takes a look at all of them before his face breaks out into a wide smile.]

My goodness! Where did all of you come from?

[And then he scoops them all up in his arms, holding them while they lick his face and squirm. When Alphen comes running, he turns around, looking pretty happy, as he's got a bunch of puppies in his arms.]

You mean these ones?

[refire]

These dogs belong to my friend. I'm just looking over them.

[Alphen nods. Childe doesn't seem to mind the dogs at least so that's good. The puppies start sniffing Childe for food or anything that might be edible. ]

Suddenly they became very excited and I couldn't keep up with it. They have so much energy.

[monoceroscaeli]

[Sorry doggos, he doesn't have any food for you. But you'll get more attention, rubbing his face against the head of one that climbs up a little bit to sniff him.]

Haha, as it is with all youngsters, wouldn't you say? They just want to have fun.

[He'll set them down now that Alphen is here, now that there's no worry that they were just going to run around like a bunch of strays.]

Looks like you need to find a place for them to run so they tire themselves out, lest they lose you again.

1

[stillarhino]

[Although he hadn't walked dogs in the past, Eustace and Tifa's corgis had always made it easy. Their training was enough that Beat didn't have to keep them on a leash most of the time, only needing to watch over them during their near daily strolls.

All seemed to be going well until Caodc's ears begin to perk up and he stands at attention. Idris and Briallen who are also in tow halt a few steps behind the older dog, and begin barking at the oncoming ball of fur running towards them. Before Beat could even react, the young pup had ducked past the older dogs to hid behind. Idris immediately goes over to sniff at it around the same time Alphen pulls up by them a few moments later.]

Think you gonna have to be a li'l more specific, yo.

[A laugh escapes Beat as he motions at his surroundings. Ther are four of them around him now, after all.]

[refire]

I'm looking for a trio of dogs. They're wolves and they usually go together.

[It's a pack of baby wolves. Alphen folds his arms curiously and shakes his head.]

Is that specific enough for you or do you need more information?

[stillarhino]

Trio? Ain't seen others but there's this little guy here.

[It's at that moment in time when Idris lets out a back at the wolf pup that was hiding behind the boy. Surprised by the noise, it takes a step back, revealing itself as it yips back at the somewhat larger dog.]

Izzit one a' the ones you lookin' for?

2 PRETEND I WASN'T LIKE A WHOLE ASS WEEK LATE

[skyglider]

[Link has been a bit distracted over the last few days. The recent anniversary of the Calamity has left him even more quiet and withdrawn than usual, busying himself with a variety of tasks that really didn't need doing right this minute, but felt easier to accomplish than anything else. It can't continue that way, though.

This is, of course, when he runs into Alphen. Looking like that.]

Work?

[Incredulity is practically dripping from his voice. Really, dude? Really? You look like half-chewed monster food.]

HANDS U STARBUCKS

[refire]

I just want to check in with my boss. Looks like I can't come back after all.

[ He feels guilty and helpless but he doesn't want to worry about anymore than he needs to at the moment. ]

If you need something at the smithy you can always ask Somnus.

bless u friend

[skyglider]

[Link shakes his head; he's not had much use for the smithy, in all honesty, and he doesn't see that changing much. But he does know what the work means to Alphen.]

What will you do now?

[There's concern in his expression. It does certainly seem as though Alphen shouldn't be working at a time like this, but for people like them...well, sitting still isn't always an option.]