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Avery:
Avery was not one for loud noises, and liked the quieter and more intimate spots of the city. The Beast was obsessing over a sketchpad as they drew the tree line of the park, the evening sun not seeming to inhibit them in the slightest. It was almost a challenge, to get the shadows right as they lengthened.
They were dressed in a long sleeved, fuzzy sweater and shorts. A few bottles of paint next to them, still closed. Their hair was a bit of a mess but it seemed an intentional statement. Under the Mask, their dark feathers flowed in the gentle breeze, and the subtle smell of a campfire wafts from their spot under a tree. Their ears were open however. They were confident they would hear anyone far before they got close.
Asbolus:
Keen-eared as they were Avery would hear soft footsteps on the path approaching their chosen perch for the evening, the cadence of the steps a familiar one to the Courser. As was his wont Asbolus was dressed neatly if plainly in dark jeans, long-sleeved shirt and a jacket that was more to maintain appearances than for keeping off the cold, Silent Arrow that he was. He smiled softly as he spotted the artist at work, giving a respectful nod once they eventually looked his way.
Avery:
Avery noticed immediately and froze for a second to listen, confirming it was their friend. As they rounded the bend, Avery was already keeping a half eye on them, motioning that it was ok to come closer once they guessed Asbolus could actually see them...which was pretty early for most people.
All the while they continued working, picking out the smallest details to truely bring to light. While more mundane artists may allow the trees to be the background object of their pieces, each borough of pine was the centerpiece of Avery's own task.
Asbolus:
Asbolus kept to a slow, steady pace as he approached the bench, sliding effortlessly into the open space beside Avery with a grace that only those who had put enough distance between themselves and their humanity could manage. He looked over the sketchbook briefly, noting the keen detail on display, then turned his attention to the Lost themselves. "Had a feeling I'd find you out here. How have things been for you as of late?"
Avery:
Avery keeps drawing, slowly adding more details of the world around them. Despite being occupied by such a task, Avery seemed to be paying attention to every detail of Asbolus as well. They answer carefully, even though they knew Asbolus wouldn't hurt them.
"I've been ok? I like this spot. I just like the forests? They're normal and quiet, and not confusing." Avery glances up at the tree above them. "There's only so much you can do to a tree before no one would call it a tree anymore."
Avery's eyes flick to Asbolus, to his mouth, to his clothes, and then back to the drawing. "How was your curry?"
Asbolus:
"Indeed." He looked towards the tree as well, taking in the details of it in his own way. "The parks here are rather good for that, getting away from the noise for a bit."
He smirked a touch at the question. "Quite good. Tripped over a new-to-me cafe in the southern part of the city that I'll certainly be adding to my usual rotation in the future."
Avery:
"I don't like the noise, but you know that. Its the worst." She finishes up her sketching, she could paint it from memory later, or he could just come out tomorrow. But it felt right to sketch it here.
"Was the cafe loud? Or was it ok? Is it safe?"
Asbolus:
"Certainly safe, although likely a bit loud for your tastes. Open kitchen, a lot of back and forth between the staff, that sort of thing. The food was very good, though, so getting takeaway might be worthwhile for you."
Avery:
Avery nods, and points at his phone on the ground nearby. He gives an excited glance "I could mobile order! I don't have to talk and I get food! And I can do takeaway." Avery smiles as if this was the best invention to have ever been discovered. For them, maybe it was.
"Wait...I need to be calm again." Avery takes a breath, letting the excitement die down. They wince as they try to curb the speed of their thoughts. "Sorry."
Asbolus:
"It's alright. Sometimes the mind moves faster than is comfortable for most; something I have to deal with as well at times."
Avery:
Avery nods, taking deep breaths, focusing on the world around themselves. "I'm calm. I need to be slow sometimes and thats....hard?"
The Raven's feathers ruffle, and they put down their sketchbook. "And I don't like waiting. Or being slow. It feels wrong and I don't like that it feels wrong."
Asbolus:
"Indeed." He nodded, his tone implying he knew all too well. "Once you past a certain threshold it can be...difficult to keep things within other's expectations."
"That is one way we differ, but we've discussed that already." He replied with a small smile. "Waiting was a large part of my modus operandi, so I have no trouble there."
Avery:
Avery looks at their hands, and suddenly there were two talon like daggers in them. Just as fast they disappear, as if into thin air. Asbolus would know they rested beneath the cloak of Avery's mein.
"I'm not in other's expectations, and I don't remember when I was. I hate him for this. I don't want to be like this and it makes me angry."
Avery looks at their paints, and sets themself the task to put their things away. They can't be angry on a task, then the task wouldn't be done.
"But I am here. I am safe. I am...with friends. So I don't have to be angry." Avery nods, reassuring themself as much as telling their mentor. "Winter is angry too, but its angry enough to wait. Summer is angry enough to act. Both are scary if they want to be."
Asbolus:
"Something we can all say, I'd imagine. The changes wrought upon us all were horrendous in their own ways, but we do what we can with what we've been given, and putting it to good use spit in Their eyes as I see it."
The coming and going of the blades was noted but not commented on, nodding quietly as Avery spoke. "Anger can run cold as much as it does hot; I was always that way myself, even before taking up Winter's mantle. And you are indeed safe with friends."
Avery:
Avery rocks back and forth on the bench to be able to move a bit. "I hate that I was his eyes. I would spit on myself if he would feel it."
Avery turns to be facing Asbolus, legs now curled up on the bench. "I'm glad you are my friend. I like having friends that...I can trust."
Asbolus:
"Very welcome. You've been a fine friend for me as well."
Avery:
Avery gives a happy smile. "Yay. Thank you for teaching me."
Avery looks out at the park, thankful that the darkness is making it harder to see. "We are getting close to a year....it feels weird. I-sometimes I worry that this is all a trick...but I have my drawings to tell me its not."
Asbolus:
"Very welcome. You've taught me a good bit in return as well." He replied with a smile, nodding as Avery continued. "I felt the same way as well for a while, concerned that She might reach Her hand out once again and bring me back. You're very much here, though, and we're all thankful for it."
Avery:
The Beast nods, curling her knees to her chest. "I like being here. I like the Freehold, they're nice...mostly. And I don't want to go back...so I'll help keep anyone from going back."
Avery stares down at the ground. "I'm trying to meet more people but its hard. People are loud."
Asbolus:
"Making the effort is the important part, even if it's not always successful. I put too much distance between myself and others for far too long, and that had more of an impact than I realized."
Avery:
Avery rests her curled fingers against her mouth, then looks back at him. "Its hard to be friends with people when their hearts are loud and annoying. I like your heart, its not annoying."
Asbolus:
He paused for a moment before chuckling, giving a little nod. "Have to say that's the first time I've received that particular compliment. Thank you, though."
Ylva:
Ylva had been trying to explore the city and learn how it feels. Today that meant her path crossed the two sitting upon the rooftop.
She landed across the street tilting her Snow Owl head at them.
Avery:
"Its true! Your heart is good."
Avery flinches at the sound of wings approaching, the flash of metal under their leg as their gaze flicks to the Owl. They judge the movements and looked anxiously at Asbolus. "Friend?"
Asbolus:
Asbolus' gaze followed the owl as it approached, head tilting to one side in a notably canine fashion. "Perhaps..." He watched Ylva for a moment before offering a polite nod. "Seems friendly enough."
Ylva:
Ylva hopped over to their building keeping to the far railing before slinking down onto the roof itself and unwrapping into her full form.
Today she was wearing nothing but her fur. It wasn't a human day and so she didn't have to wear clothes. Letting her tails and hair flow in the breeze.
She offered Avery a polite if nervous wave with a couple tails energetically wiggling at Asbolus.
"Heya, I was just. In the area. Wondered if you might mind another?"
Avery:
Avery watches the Owl unfold and smiles, glancing to Asbolus and then back excitedly.
"Was the wind good?"
Avery looks nervous a second later.
"Sorry, hi first. Hi, I would be ok with another of us."
Asbolus:
Asbolus watched as Ylva unfurled from her avian state to one more humanoid, an eyebrow quirking up curiously at the new tails and the influx of the Wyrd that came with them. "You've dipped further into the well, I see...not a bad thing, that."
"I'm not opposed to more company."
Ylva:
Ylva blushes as Avery mentions the wind.
"It was. Windy. Still working out how wings work."
She blushes further at the comment about her Wyrd.
"Yeah. Its been a process. I'd love to join you though. You can call me Ylva."
Dropping to the floor she curls into the corner using her tails to make a little nest.
Avery:
Avery looks at the sky. "You're fighting the wind. Don't. Let it carry you. You'll go faster and won't be tired. I can fly with you. You can call me Avery."
Avery glances at the tails and Asbolus's comment of Wyrd. "Are you....in other's expectations?"
Asbolus:
"Just picked up that trick myself, admittedly. Perhaps you can give both of us some lessons on that front." He smiled a touch, glancing between the two Coursers. "It is a process indeed. One I was hesitant to initiate for a time, but that first step beyond was enlightening."
Ylva:
"I think I'd like that. It just feels unnatural still."
A tilt of her head. "In others expectations? Apologies if I'm missing an obvious thing im rather fresh."
Avery:
"I can teach. I like flying, its freeing. The air under your wings is...the best feeling." Avery gives an excited look, then he glances to her. "Are...you scared of Ravens?"
Avery shakes her head. "It wasn't a process for me...are you....odd? More than people? Like me and Asbolus?" Avery looks to their mentor for help.
Asbolus:
"They're inquiring if you've crossed the threshold to more fae than mortal. I'd hazard a guess so, judging by the feel of it."
Ylva:
Ylva smiles bowing her head.
"Yeah. My body is stronger than any mortal should be. I broke my lovers tea cup the other day when I was anxious. It was quite embarrassing."
Avery:
Avery nods. "I am outside others expectations. I see too much and I'm fast. It can be hard to be slow...I don't like being slow."
Asbolus:
"It does take a little while to adjust to, so don't be too hard on yourself." He gestured briefly with his hand, an almost overly fluid motion compared to most. "Both a boon and a burden, but one worth carrying in my opinion."
Ylva:
Ylva nods at them both. "Hence sitting in a park speed painting."
Avery:
Avery looks even more unnaturally fluid, but their jerky reactions take away from it. Even the slightest sounds seem to draw their attention.
"Its not speed painting...its a normal speed? It feels normal." They look to Asbolus. "Is it speed painting?"
Asbolus:
"Close enough to normal, I'd say, but then again normal is relative."
Ylva:
"I dont paint often so when I do its slow. Everyone speed paints compared to me." There is a chuckle to her voice. "Relative."
Avery:
"Painting is slow because it needs to dry. I like drawing more, and then paint can be later. Then I can draw while its drying!" Avery nervously glances to their bag. "Do you want to see?"
Asbolus:
"The most painting I've ever done was a bit of set construction here and here over the years, so I wager you're both far more skilled than I." Asbolus offered with a chuckle, nodding to Avery. "I would, yes."
Ylva:
"Dont sell yourself short, digital or paint isnt my medium of choice so im sure you could keep up."
Another awkward chuckle followed by a nod. "I'd love to see your work."
Avery:
"I like to feel the pencil. Or paintbrush. It feels nice."
Avery takes out the sketchbook, opening it to the first page.
"Um...can you see in the dark? Its hard to see without light cause...well its only on the paper?"
Asbolus:
"I can use the light on my phone, if need be."
Ylva:
Ylva blinks a few times her eyes gaining the little glow of a Fox.
"I can now."
Avery:
"I can too...but phones are ok? No need to use glamour...well I guess you already did." Avery looks around. "Sorry."
Avery shows the sketchbook, they're wonderful drawings focused on the small details of the world. A lot of care was put into each of the pages to make sure each bit stands out. A theming quickly becomes clear, its often animals, or nature, or plants, all the natural things of the world...and never people.
Asbolus:
Asbolus wasn't able to call up that particular trick of Glamour but his natural sight served well enough, nodding along as Avery flipped through the pages. "Very impressive."
Ylva:
Ylva shrugs. "I'll need it to get home regardless."
She looks at the pieces with the eyes of an artist, enjoying seeing someone elses work.
"Your work is beautiful."
Avery:
Avery looks a bit nervous but smiles as they get compliments.
"This is my sanity. Its how I keep myself here and not There."
Asbolus:
"It's always good to have that sort of anchor, and you have a fantastic skill for it besides."
Ylva:
"An anchor can make all the diffirence. Still working on that myself."
She looks to Avery. "Dont doubt your skill. I know we all do, but try not to."
Avery:
Avery looks to the other Beast. "Are you an artist too? What do you...art?" Avery looks at their sketchbook, then back at Ylva.
Ylva:
She shakes her head, with a bit of silence before nodding. "Yeah. I was, before, Everything. I was a tattoo artist."
Avery:
Avery tilts their head. "Why did you stop? My...Fetch is an artist...so I assume I was one too? You can be one after everything if it makes you happy. We need to be happy too."
Ylva:
A raised eyebrow before she continues. "I. The first time Tattoo I did after coming back, my client, didnt make it home that evening."
Avery:
Avery nods. "Instincts are hard. They're strong and don't like being controlled. Sometimes you want to let them out and sometimes you don't."
Avery closes their sketchbook. "I killed to not be a brick in the wall or chair at a table. Killing isnt easy, but what They made us is not who we are."
Avery puts away the sketchbook, and puts it next to Asbolus for safekeeping. "May I come closer?"
Ylva:
"Instincts are easy. Killing is easy. Eating is easy. Learning not to be what He made me is hard."
She nods with a tilt of her head.
Avery:
Avery sits close to her. There is the faintest bristle getting closer to a predator. "Falling to instincts is easy, killing is easy on the hands and hard on the soul. Controlling yourself is hard. But you can learn. It took me a bit to learn to not run away...well...more than I still do." Avery gives a faint smile. "Are you in a Court yet?"
Ylva:
Ylva shakes her head to both points.
"What is a soul with what we have done? No, I havent, quite settled on one."
Avery:
Avery looks a bit conflicted with how to respond, but forces themself to stay. "My soul is what I choose it to be. Not what I'm told it is. Joining a Court helped me calm myself. Asbolus helped me find my breath, and then I figured out who I wanted to be. Who do you want to be Ylva? If you don't know, focus on finding your breath."
Ylva:
"Oh, I know who I want to be. Who I was. Ylva Theodulus, wife of Astrid, lover of Klaire and Jenny, Tattoo Artist in the city. Thats who I want to be, but how do I be that with what he Fucking made me."
There is a hint of anger at her words, that beyond human presence and intimidation rising to the surface for but a moment. Before she takes a deep breath, shattering a rock that she had found under herself.
"Sorry." As she shimmies a little bit back.
Avery:
At the first hint of anger, Avery leaps backwards. A grace that almost looks like flight when she immediately lands in the tree nearest to them. All Ylva can see at that time is the faintest outline of the Hunterheart and the two knives held in his hands. A moment later Avery calms down and sees Ylva has done the same and lets themself out of the tree.
"Sorry. Loud noises are not easy for me."
Avery leans against the tree uneasily. "You have the Wrath of Summer if that is the path you choose. I hope you, Ylva Theodulus, wife of Astrid, lover of Klaire and Jenny, Tattoo Artist in the city, find your path. I have feelings that you will do great things if you find it. You can be who you want to be, even if it doesn't seem like that yet. I felt the way you do not too long ago."
Ylva:
"My apologies, my temper has a tendency to get away from me."
She sighs flopping onto her back and looking up at the sky.
"How? When my wife knows im missing and cant see me. When I cant do what I love without fear of eating my client."
Avery:
"Do not apologize for anger. You have every right to be angry. I am also angry, but I channel it. That is our difference Ylva, you are unbridled rage, I have focused myself." Avery doesn't look comfortable telling her what to do, but knows she needs it.
"You get better with practice. It takes time which sucks. I hate things that take time, but if your wife and your love are what are important to you, then they are worth it."
Ylva:
Ylva just stays there looking up to the sky.
"I just. He made me this. Made me into a Monster that doesnt know friend from foe. Who has to spend every second of every day focusing to not do something stupid." She chuckles.
"I miss my problems being cocaine and a sex addiction."
Avery:
Avery shifts awkwardly. "I was not a predator, so I can not relate. I was...a watcher. I was made into something that betrayed those around me just by being there. What we were taught there is painful, and you need to find out how to unlearn it. It gets easier, but takes time."
Ylva:
Ylva tries her best to shrug.
"I was, made into a guard dog and garbage disposal. I know it takes time, time, time, time. Its all it ever takes and its the thing I have the least of."
Avery:
Avery nods. "And that sucks, doesn't it? I hate time. Time sucks."
Ylva:
"Time hates me. I was gone for 12 hours Ironside only to spend decades there."
Another sigh. "How is that fair. How do I communicate with my lovers just how not me I am?"
Avery:
Avery looks at a loss. "I don't know...I don't know enough. That isn't something I'm good at."
Ylva:
She sighs, a third time. "I know, its a me problem and im sorry for putting it on your shoulders."
Avery:
Avery shakes their head. "Its ok. I hope you find the answers for you."
Ylva:
She chuckles. "Maybe some time. Always comes back to that doesnt it."
Avery:
Avery nods. "Answers are hard. We don't have many of them and have to get by with what we do have."
Ylva:
"Answers are easy. Getting to them is hard. I know what I want. Getting from here to there is the hard spot."
Avery:
Avery looks nervously. "I'm not sure what to tell you. I'm not good with that stuff."
Ylva:
"Im not expecting you to tell me anything or magically fix my issues, just it came up and now we are here."
She sits up. "I could show you some of my art another time, if thats easier?"
Avery:
"If I could, I would do that. But I'm still figuring out how to do that for me."
Avery looks back at the mention of art. "I like art, I'd like that."
Ylva:
"I know, I should really throw this at a Spring but here we are."
She leans back and continues looking up at the sky.
"It was nice to meet you, even if im a bit contrary, its in my nature."
Avery:
"It was nice to meet you too." Avery gives an encouraging smile. "I should head home...I want to be safe for the night. Plus I can fly for a bit to get there! If you want, we can fly together for a bit!"
They look back at their stuff, then a thought crosses their mind. "You know...if you aren't sure on your Court, you can always change it later. Pick whichever one speaks out to you, and maybe its the right one. Or maybe they can give you the right lessons to find the right one."
Ylva:
Ylva smiles but lays sitting there.
"Thanks but I want to stare at the sky for a bit longer. Get some inspiration for something im working on."
Avery:
"Inspiration is nice, I'm going to go see if Asbolus wants italian ice. It tastes good." Avery gives an awkward wave and heads back towards the bench.
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