[Open] ☆ 3rd Page ☆ January Catch-All

[noctuagoetia]

Who: Stolas and You!
Which: Open Log
Where: Various locations depending on prompt.
What: Stolas is going to be venturing around town. A general January catch-all for Daddy Hoothoot.
Warnings: Nothing really to put here. Other than Stolas is a demon from Hell, but only warning is possible sea of Dad Jokes.


1-A ☆ World Tree
There was something to be said about how there was never a dull moment in Reverein, even when things seem at their calmest. Each passing month something new would sprout up around town. And I mean sprout. There was talk about this new odd tree that had shown up in the neighboring forest around town. The curious owl had to go see for himself. Sounded like something of note to be added into his grimoire.

Packing his bag, filling it with his already collected research materials, he sets off into the woods. After a bit of wondering, the Goetic Prince found the clearing where the new growth had made its home. It was... certainly an unusual tree bearing a human like face. Stranger yet, when he drew close, magic tingled under his skin. It was... soothing.

Plopping a squat nearby, Stolas began to doodle what he saw in his book.


1-B ☆ Practice Makes Perfect
Around the parameter of the wildlands, there were pockets of warm spring-like weather. Plants and trees blooming out of season, prematurely waking up. Unnatural, even for a place like Reverein. Perhaps later he would wonder off to figure out the cause... Though for now, despite the oddity, Stolas took full advantage of the unseasonal temperatures to do a little arcane training outside.

In the middle of a ring of trees, the giant owl stood. It was hard to miss the display as the goetic demon waved his hands, lighting up the clearing with magic. Flashes of spectral illusions and twinkling lights danced around the demon prince as he was in his own little world. Every so often, the magic would vanish with a flick of the wrist and the prince would march over to a large stone. Placed on top was his grimoire and he would jot down a few notes before resuming his practice.


2-A ☆ Wild Card
Anything else you want to do with Stolas? Feel free to reach out to me at goddessofsugar or AkaUsa#4076

Comments

1-A ☆ World Tree

[your_best_friend]

[Speaking of sprout... You know that ne Buttercup that was facing the tree that Stolas drew? When not paying attention, the flower is now looking at Stolas!]

...Howdy! Drawing the tree? It does look very interesting, doesn't it?

[It talks!]

[Closed to Via] Into the Wasteland

[noctuagoetia]

Oh this was going to be fun~ Spending the whole day with his darling daughter, Octavia. With her newly joining the company Stolas wanted to be make sure that she would be safe. So, on today's agenda was doing a little magic training and exploring this strange phenomena coming from the Wasteland. Not expecting much trouble, the Goetic Prince only brought his research satchel filled his his grimoire and quills. Besides, he was a great and powerful prince of Hell. What could possibly go wrong?

The pair of them made their way to the outer edges of the Wildlands to where one of the strange pockets of spring had sprung. Turning to his fledgling, Stolas beams.

"You ready Via, dear?"

[noctuagoetia]

[At the sudden voice, the owl jumped, pulling his eyes away from his journal. A-a flower?... With a face? Was it connected to the tree?]

O-oh, hello there. Yes I am. I have been taking notes on anything unusual that happens in Reverein. And I think a tree with a face is note worthy. [Stolas chuckled lightly.] A friend of yours?

[You have a face. It has a face. You're a plant... It's a plant.]

[your_best_friend]

[Flowey takes one quick glance at the tree.]

Nope. You say you've been taking notes of al the happenings, huh? Kind of makes me wish I didn't intentionally didn't leave the notes I made in Kansai...

Anyway, what all have you seen? I'm new here and would enjoy having an idea of what I can expect.

[systemofadowny]

"Ready, dad!"

Octavia chirps in enthusiasm. She knows this is as much about training for IMP: DMC as it is about her usual magic training, but she doesn't mind; any time with her dad is a great time! Besides, they were studying something together. Strange crystals in a dangerous part of the dream world. Fortunately, they have their defenses of something happens, not to mention Stolas' portals to zip right on out if something happens.

But Via's not thinking about that. She has her backpack full of studying tools and notebooks full of notes on dreamotion crystals. There's more pages to fill in and other notes to compare these to.

"I packed extra water and ice enchanted scarves to fight off the heat and dehydration."

[noctuagoetia]

"That's my girl, thinking ahead." Stolas chimes back brightly.

Still within the boundaries of the Wildlands, the goetic stops. Reaching up he lets his satchel slip off his shoulder to the ground below before moving to stands in front of her, hands resting behind his back.

"Before we head out into the Wasteland, I want us to do a little warm up. Like stretching muscles before a run. I have yet to see what your new abilities are. Could you possibly give me a little demonstration so I know what we're dealing with?

1-B

[sos_pilot]

Della was exercising in her own way - nothing really built muscle like tree climbing! - when she happened to spot the light show. She whistled, impressed, and then hung upside-down from one sturdy branch with her good leg.

"Getting the hang of things?" She called out, unable to help the lame joke. "So am I!"

B

[adorabrawler]

[ Having lived her entire life in the massive concrete jungle that is Tokyo, being surrounded by trees, trees, and more trees is a new and novel experience to Mizuki. Even in these winter climes and covered in snow... it's quite beautiful, in its own way. With little else to do but explore, Mizuki has been spending her first days within the city doing precisely that. And with no one to stop her? Well, who's going to tell her no if she decides to venture further forth into the forests?

It isn't long before she accidentally stumbles upon a fascinating sight, however; lights and illusions swirl around the small clearing, dancing over logs and bushes before fizzling out along the trunks of trees. Mizuki stops to peek from over a bush, mesmerized, careful not to interrupt the literally magical display coming from... some bird guy? She truly couldn't say.

It isn't until there's a break in his practice session that Mizuki slips out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. ]

Whoa.

[noctuagoetia]

[The giant owl tilted his head to one side. Their notes? Oh! Another book friend? An enthusiastic grin spreads across his beak.]

You must be one of the new arrivals. I have noticed that periodically what ever the powers that be summon new people to this dreamworld. Still have yet to figure out the means or the reasons why.

I wouldn't say I am an expert by any means, but I have been here a while. What would you like to know? I have seen quite a bit.

[noctuagoetia]

Stolas didn't need to look up from his grimoire to know that voice. Turning around he greeted the duck with a warm smile, very thankful that they were both clothed this time. We... we shall never speak of this again.

"I see you're putting in some leg work today yourself." Stolas chuckled to himself. "What are you doing all the way out here?"

[your_best_friend]

Yeah, I've already been... actually, I don't think you can call this a kidnapping, can you? It's really weird for me, being in this dream world, since little old me usually doesn't ever need to sleep.

I like an interesting story. Surprise me.

[systemofadowny]

"Oh. Okay! I'm still figuring out the specifics, but I know I channel dreamotion best through song. I know I can amplify things with it and sometimes, stir emotions in others. Sometimes the singing starts on its own. Most of the time, I decide."

Which is exactly what she's doing right now. It's a fair request; she'd have to demonstrate her abilities anyway, so what's the harm in doing so now? A song comes to mind, and as is the case with her, musical accompaniment fills the air so she can perform at her best.

♫I've been staring at the edge of the water
'Long as I can remember
Never really knowing why

I wish I could be the perfect daughter
But I come back to the water
No matter how hard I try ♫

A sense of doubt and confusion briefly fills the air, both cut down by a sense of determination. A drive to push forward despite the adversities ahead. Appropriate, given the owls' destination.

♫Every turn I take
Every trail I track
Every path I make
Every road leads back
To the place I know where I cannot go
Where I long to be♫

As if to complement the the rising bravery to answer adventure's call, the smell of the sea passes by them on a tailwind that all but encourages the birds to take flight.

♫See the line where the sky meets the sea?
It calls me
And no one knows
How far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I'll know
How far I'll go♫

For a brief moment while Octavia sings, the wind seems it cuts through the hazard air of the wastelands, cleaving a path of their own. The song ends partway through, Octavia looking up at her father expectantly while fiddling with her talons.

"How was that?"

[sos_pilot]

can we speak of the sexy fanfics she found in his book

"Exercising." She answered simply, now moving to pull herself upward. "You're working your magic muscles, I'm working on my... muscle muscles." Now sitting upright on the branch, she flexed one of her arms. "This place is a little duller than I'm used to, so I gotta keep the blood flowing somehow."

Yes, somehow this place was DULLER than her home world...

B

[ectoherbology]

Exploring is vital for survival - but more importantly, her sister wanted to see more of the dream-like place. There was a lot to see, but a lot that Wendy opted to avoid as well, especially anything that looked potentially hazardous.

A giant owl fiddling with magic ought to have been one of those things best avoided, but nonetheless, the young girl stood in the distance and stared, her hand-crafted spear gripped tightly in her hands. Just in case.

World Tree!

[lonelysmiles]

Alastor's magic had relied heavily on rootwork when he was alive. Though he had quite an abundance of raw magical power at his disposal (even if it was somewhat diminished in this world), he hadn't let those skills atrophy, so a new presumably magical tree had immediately caught his interest.

And, well, the longer he'd lingered around the tree -- sketching it and gathering some samples to experiment with -- the more relaxed he'd become. The calm, serene atmosphere had lulled him into settling down in a particularly shady spot and taking a nap.

The sound of someone else arriving had prompted his ears to twitch as his shadow rose from the ground to investigate the sound.

[noctuagoetia]

No, Della no. We especially don't talk about that. We take that to our graves.

"Duller?" Stolas raised a curious brow at her. From his perspective, this place was a pleasant deviation from his usually boring day-to-day. That is to say that Hell didn't have its own excitement. Stolas spent most of his time cooped up in the palace unless he was out performing one of his duties as the Ars Goetia.

"My, I would like to see where you come from if dragons and haunted carnivals is a dull time for you."

[sos_pilot]

"Yeah, but you gotta wait, like, weeks or months for that stuff to kick off here!" Della explained, scooting back to the base of the tree so she could start climbing down. "Back home, we try for new, exciting adventures every single day!"

Once on solid ground, she even began to mime some of her past adventures. "Sailing with ice Vikings! Fighting off tricked Lunarians from the moon! Taking down the king of mermaids!"

[noctuagoetia]

Stolas stood there in the clearing with his eyes transfixed on his daughter. As she began to sing the tiny feathers on his forearms tingled, sensing the air around them ignite with magic. The owl could almost see shifting emotions while the song changed moods and it stirred something in him. His own magic tapped danced under his skin along side his daughter's. To say he was proud papa would be a vast understatement. By the end of the tune, Stolas was vibrating with parental pride.

"That was spectacular Via!" Stolas clapped his talons enthusiastically. "You are truly growing into your own woman. I couldn't be more proud."

Walking over to her he placed his hands on her shoulders, turning her to face the Wasteland.

"Now Via, I want you to practice something else. Close your eyes." The larger owl did the same, taking in the deep breath. "Breathe... Calm your mind... If you focus, you can feel the magic that fuels Reverein. Its pulse beating along your own." Stolas lets a beat pass to let it settle. "But... do you feel it? There is a third strum of mana with a sour tune. That's where we are headed."

[systemofadowny]

Via beamed from her father's praise. She wants to make him proud and the confirmation leaves her teeming with glee. And a little sheepish joy, but that's normal when this happens.

With Stolas' guidance, she closes her eyes, feeling for the magic in the air. The mana within the world itself, the dreamotion that powered a great many thing and...something darker. Something far less pleasant than the others. It's in great quantities in a certain direction, the one the two owls are facing. Octavia nods.

"Nightmare energy. Like dreamotion, but drawing from negative emotions. It's so concentrated...that must be from the crystals."

She places a hand over her chest. "I wonder if that means they're a live in some way..."

[noctuagoetia]

Don't need to sleep? Well isn't that interesting... I suppose not seeing how well.. you're a... flower? Forgive me if my observation is wrong. I am rather fond of plants. Never had one speak to me before.

[An interesting story, huh? Stolas tapped his knuckles against his beak in thought. A lot of things have happened to him since living here, some of which weren't exactly PG-13...]

During my first month when I arrived, we were visited by dragons. They weren't as friendly as they are now. Some of them are still a bit dangerous. However I wasn't one of the residence that were dragon-napped. I did rescue an egg which hatched into the cutest little wyrmling, and I returned her to the dragons. Sadly she's still an orphan, like a lot of the stolen eggs. I visit her from time to time to keep her company.

You should visit their floating island sometime. They have all sorts of fun attractions.

[noctuagoetia]

So enthralled with his training, the Goetic Prince didn't realize that there were a pair of eyes watching him. There were dangerous places in Reverein and the great owl should have had more awareness of his surroundings, but the forest had always been a peaceful place. He had spent long nights observing the starry sky in the more 'treacherous' parts of the Wildlands without incident... if he didn't count running into a most persistent duckling.

Pausing to take down a few notes, the gentle breath reached his ears. Without moving his body, Stolas' head twisted inhumanly around to face the tree-line. Sharp eyes could make out the top of someone's head amongst the underbrush.

"Hello?" The rest of the owl's person turned to match his head. "Is someone there? You can come out. I won't hurt you."

[noctuagoetia]

Stolas really should have more self awareness of his surroundings. The Goetic Prince had grown complacent about the possible dangers that lurked in the Wildlands. Though he himself had never ran into much problems in the forest. It had always been a calm place, spending countless hours wandering at night when he first arrived. Besides, he was a powerful prince of Hell. What could possibly dare to challenge him?

Humming cheerfully to himself as he scribbled more notes in his grimoire, Stolas turned to start up again when he froze. Along the tree-line stood a small child with a... spear? The look in her eyes... how scared should he be?

"H-hello there... Can I... help you?" Awkwardly the owl chuckled. "What are you doing way out here? Are you lost?"

[ectoherbology]

Oh, it speaks! Wendy relaxes, putting her spear back into its harness on her back. "I was scouting further out from the town to understand where I am," she explained, approaching. Stolas was tall, she didn't even make it up to his knee, but he at least didn't have a beak that looked quite like it could puncture through her skull very easily. "I saw it was warmer in spots, and I wanted to understand. I am Wendy, and this is my twin sister, Abigail," she added, gesturing to the ghostly form behind her, who was floating back and forth a bit warily.

[adorabrawler]

[ There's something freaky about watching the inhuman twist of their head, but that's... like... some kind of walking, talking, magic spewing bird, right? Don't birds do that? The head thing, that is, not the magic. ]

Um.

[ Mizuki doesn't emerge immediately; there's an instinctive part of her brain that insists stay hidden! But the voice assures he means no harm, she has to wonder what's got her so hesitant. She can handle herself even if worse comes to worse! And so, she pushes herself up upon her feet proper, revealing herself from behind the bush. ]

Just... passing by? Didn't think it'd be a good idea to interrupt.

Wildcard!

[helluvaboss]

ALRIGHT - now begins operation Do NOT Fuck This Up.

Breaking into a house was way easier than breaking into a palace. Stolas' new place didn't have any stupid guards or servants to nark on him, so Blitzø had free rein in the place in the middle of the night when he got in and started raiding the fridge.

Well, it wasn't the middle of the night, actually... it was actually just a little bit before dawn. And while he'd brought his own tools for his little mission, he was counting on the rest in the fridge making up the difference. Thankfully, Stolas was keeping shit actually stocked, so he shoved aside the platter of rats and took out some milk. These two owls (and Loonie if she wanted of course!!!!) were gonna have a four-course homemade motherfucking BREAKFAST and Blitzø was gonna spoil them rotten. Piles of pancakes, sizzly bacon, fresh rolls he yoinked from a bakery, some deep fried field mice he snagged himself... how he doesn't manage to wake anyone before he's done is anyone's fuckin guess.

But either way. Once the sun's starting to turn the sky just the faintest bit pink, Stolas might end up hearing a distinctly different sound. Purring. Loud, loud purring, and some soft breathing, right near his ear - from none other than Blitzø himself. A far cry from his usual standoffish behavior, now those yellow eyes were staring wide at his new boyfriend waiting for him to wake up.