Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Open to Caitlin Cockfoster! On this average fall night, it's neither warm nor cold but that didn't matter to Levi, because he's warm, his cheeks rosy with anticipation. He's never this nervous about these kind of things, but something seems off tonight. He looks up the walkway to the looming mansion, seeming to swallow his whole world in mere seconds. Dressed in what may or may not be a stolen black suit, sister-ed by a tie, and accompanied by a red jacket, and really, his whole complexion seems to be cleaned up tonight, a good shower, a few of them actually, after getting back from his timeless flight, teeth brushed, boots semi-clean, and his hair isn't hiding under a hat, infact, it's swooped up, and backwards, looking..strange on him, yet a clean cut none the less. He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. What are with these jitters?! He thinks to himself as he raises his hand, knuckles curled into a fist, rapping against the door in three cheery knocks.
Something just seems off..maybe actually meeting a woman's father, for real?
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 27, 2017 2:31:29 GMT
Cait's heart was in her throat, and had been for what seemed like hours. While she was expecting a certain someone to visit around supper time, her father was not expecting guests... meaning she was scheming to spring a certain somebody on him so he wont have time to say no. there was a knock on the door just as her pa was exiting his study for the kitchen. He paused looking at the door with one brow raised. Their butler already had a hand on the knob when Cait came rushing down the stairs in a huff. The door cracked open and there the three were starring at the man on the threshold.
"Father, I hope you don't mind, but I invited a dear friend to dinner." Of course, whether he minded or not, mouth agape, the only sounds he could make when put on the spot like that were sounds of acquiescence.
"Oh uh, well, yes... I suppose that's quite alright then, please invite your 'friend' in. I'll let Maria know to set another plate at the table." Caitlin exhaled a nervous breath as her father turned from the hall and went off looking rather miffed to do just that. She looked Levi head to toe and her breath caught again. This time not from nerves or lies about forgetfulness. This time, out of sheer shock and awe. Even she didn't know her rogue could look so dashing. The only sign that he was anything but, were the telltale studs in his face.
"I have this, thank you," she waved the butler away and took over holding the door up (or was it holding her up?) as she motioned for Levi to come in. "Wow... you..." she said appreciatively as soon as the butler was gone.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Drops his hand to his vest pocket, prying his suit open a tad as the door opens. He offers a warm smile, something that says I love animals, and deal with large amounts of money for my clients in my fancy job, a small yet kind flash of teeth. He goes to nod to the butler but catches himself, instead saying "Thank you." as he walks off. Returning Caitlin's surprised expression with his own, he shakes a finger at her. "Don't go saying, 'wow..you..' without looking at yourself, dear. You look..." delicious? sweet? "..astonishing. Absolutely.."
You might be able to tell it's taking a bit of effort to hold his tongue, and the word slurs that normally fall from his tongue like a waterfall of sounds.
"Beautiful. What a lucky man, might someone be to have you, Caitlin." He slides through the door frame, embracing Caitlin for a quick peck on her cheeks, in a cheery, light-hearted hello.
"I feel like we should've told him...this feels..strange." He whispers in her ear as he straightens his jacket out.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 27, 2017 3:42:53 GMT
The compliments were well placed, just amorous enough without being impolite, despite his swaggering slur as he melded them together like liquid metal. "You're too kind," she replied as he leaned in and a shiver went up her spine. Goosebumps prickled the bare flesh of her exposed neck and shoulders, given that her hair was swept up in a beautiful twist with a few loose tendrils of curls framing her face. A set of dazzling teardrop diamond earrings swung like pendulums at her lobes. One pressed against her skin as his face brushed it, his words tickling her ear.
When he leaned back she whispered in turn. "Ever heard the phrase, better to ask forgiveness than ask permission? Had we asked prior to, he'd have found any excuse to decline. I know my father." Her eyes ran over him again, from head to foot and her heart beat quickened. "Not half as well as I thought I knew you, mr. Küper, you really have made an impression. Let's hope it strikes my father half as strongly as it has struck me."
Speaking of her father.... he popped his head back out the kitchen door and glared down the hall, clearing his throat overly loudly. "If you two are quite finished, might I beckon you to the dining room?" Cait squeezed Levi's hand out of sight from her fathers view, and nodded.
"Yes of course, mr. Küper if you would follow me this way," she lead them down the hall to the dining room. "Here goes," she whispered back to him over her shoulder.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
He squeezes her hand back, smiling as she turns around and turning his gaze around the house. This isn't exactly what he would've pictured if asked how Caitlin normally lived. Queen of the Rogues. Diamond ear-rings, yeah he could see, but the decor of the house seems lacking of gunpowder, and knife wounds. He shrugs to himself as he follows her foot steps into the dining room where a maid gestures to his seat. He smiles brightly and thanks her before taking his seat and sliding himself in to the table. "It's nice to finally meet Caitlin's father. I've heard some things about you." Levi says with a joking wink. He looks upon the table infront of him, checking if there are any super fancy utensils he's never seen before, or if he can atleast look competent at eating. He pulls on the collar of his shirt, realizing the Baron might not take to tease so easy.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 27, 2017 4:19:48 GMT
They all were seated and before her father could so much as say bon apetit, Levi's vivaciousness was already out in the open. She sat up straighter, alert, like a metal rod was just jammed up her spine. Her father, ironically, took on the same kind of posture in the same moment. They were like synchronized clockwork dolls. "Interesting, as I've heard nothing at all about you. Darling, why don't you introduce your guest to me? I'd hate to break bread as strangers." Well.... clearly her father was not as taken with Levi's transformation as she was.
"I, yes of course, you remember mr. Küper don't you daddy? From the docks that one day?" It was a terrible moment to recall, but he wasn't likely to have forgotten with a face like Levi's. "Admittedly it was poor timing, and mr. Küper was not at his best. But I assure you he was serious about meeting you and becoming better acquainted." Maria and her kitchen aid smoothly ducked in and out between chairs, plating food before their very eyes, the smell of it heavenly. But the tension in the room was so tense, Cait wasn't even sure if their best cutting knife could sever it. She cleared her throat and gave Levi a pleading look that said 'agree with me, but respectably, no more jabs please and thanks.' her fathers sense of humor was..... nonexistent. In fact, between his seriousness and Levi's unnerving gift for making light of everything... they were a match made in hell. Cait was bound to turn blue holding her breath in hopes of a decent outcome to this dinner.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Looking between Caitlin, and her father, Levi nods softly. "It's true, I was weathered from my trip. Takes a lot out of someone to do what I do, the crews I control. I'd like to apologize for having that impression to be your first." He looks over the plate settings, and grabs the wine glass, slipping the stem between his ring and middle finger to rotate it slowly, swirling the crimson inside of it to a gentle vortex. "After all, I am sitting next to the Baron of Lodan." A small smirk creeps its way to Levi's face, slowly being defeated by dedication of impression. "Tell me, do you fancy...animals? And, I don't just mean your average scrap eater. Something more prestigious, bigger, better?" He tips his wine glass in his direction as he does, before raising it to his lips.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 27, 2017 5:00:20 GMT
Between his gleaming chompers, and the wild unruliness of his dark black hair, glossed back into a genteel presentation like she'd never seen; Caitlin almost forgot what his ruse was and her heartbeat quickened. The candle light from the wall sconces sparked off the metal of his face each time he tilted it sideways, like he did now to gaze into the swirling wine. Caitlin was preoccupied with the animalistic references swiming through her brain, while her father took the time to dissect something entirely different about their guest.
His eyes.
The glint of metal wasn't the only thing projecting light in the dimly lit setting. "Can't say that I do," Her father answered flatly, not buying into the conversation at all. The last thing the baron wanted, was his daughter associating with some animal from the shadow world. Never minding the secret of her mothers blood. Marquel picked up a stake knife and stabbed at his dinner sharply before sawing off a bite. He stared unrelentingly at Levi, clearly not amused with this attempt to associate with him or his family.
"I do!" Caitlin pipped up, trying to save the conversation before her father could put the final nail in the coffin.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
With a raised eyebrow, and an inquisitive expression Levi looks to Caitlin. "And what might you be intrigued in? Big cats?" He says with a small smirk, "I got to say, the feeling of tracking an animal that may be tracking you is exciting to say the least." He looks back over towards the baron and asks him plainly. "And what excites you? Perhaps, it's something more exotic then that?" Levi leans back in his chair, his right arm extended, holding out his wine glass while his left hand is supporting his chin. "You've got a desire in you, don't you? Something about you..." seeming to quiet down before going any farther, "Nevermind that. The meal looks great. I thank you for having me."
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 27, 2017 5:49:34 GMT
Hmm.... Was it Possible Caitlin had underestimated both men tonight? Her father was being ruthless, and she wasn't used to him taking this attitude, except maybe when the commander used to call upon her.... but even then he'd eventually come to a compromise. A deal, a dare, whatever it was he and Faolan Skye had agreed upon. Whatever it had been, it seemed moot now. Lightyears, she felt, had passed and once again the curtain had fallen like a veil between worlds, separating the life she'd built from the one she was left living.
When Levi asked about big cats, she nodded enthusiastically. He carried on, but trailed off just about the time her eyes grew wide and her head shook covertly to warn away from pursuing 'passions' with her father. The warning was a little too late. Even after Levi switched gears and complimented the meal, Her father placed his fork and knife on either side of his plate and leaned on the table.
"The only thing I am passionate about, Mr. Küper, is protecting my daughter from bad influences in her life, and believe me I have more than enough to keep my hands full with that task alone." He bothered to turn his scorn away from Levi long enough to pin Cait with a 'you know what Im talking about young lady' stare. She almost squirmed in her seat. almost. "From the looks of things," he pointed back and forth between his daughter and her guest, " that means you too... and from the sound of things; you seem to make your living off of trapping wild creatures and making pets out of them to which I assure you dear boy I am very - very- familiar with and do despise the practice. I can see what it is you have in common with my daughter, however I do not think you see quite the position she has put you in and taking pity on you I feel obligated to enlighten you."
Caitlin was confused now... what was he rambling on about? A knot began to form in her stomach. Something about his tone of voice had a snake coiling in her belly, writhing like a living thing and making her feel oily and uncomfortable.
"You see, she too likes to hunt wild 'things' and bring them home as trophies, or pets as you might better understand it, like she brought home the defamed commander when I'd made it clear that he was unwelcome here. And just like she has brought home -you-. Unbeknownst to you, I think, is the fact that you are little more than a new toy that the cat drug in. A repulsive, dead rat that she's laid before our feet just to get a rise out of me-"
"Father!"-
"-and while that may sound unsophisticated I assure you like all resplendid young women who feel pent up awaiting a proper match, she has done nothing less that what is expected of her."
Caitlin pushed back her chair, her face ghastly white, feeling mortified, embarrassed, and alienated. Had he ever spoken this..... cruelly about her in the past? Was she just never aware of it? Did he really think these things of her? Or was this all rubbish intended to flush Levi out?
The way it rolled of his tongue meant that at least some of it had to be his true thoughts and feelings. "Levi I'm so..." She was going to say sorry, but another glance at her father and his stony facade made her flee the room. She couldn't apologize on behalf of someone who was so clearly unapologetic. And to be honest, it really hurt. Not just what he said to demean Levi and chase him off, but what he said about her. Her father, unsure what to do now that she'd run, had a flicker of uncertainty cross his face before he downcast his eyes at his food, and picked back up the utensils and let them hoover aimlessly over the plate.
Caity flew through the hall, rounded the banister and raced up the stairs. She even tripped from trying to run too fast, hitting the steps and pounding her fist against them in anger before pushing herself up and retreating the rest of the way to her room.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
As soon as Levi picks up the silver fork, Cait's father pushes on the table, looking at him with a fire lit from deep down. He goes on about watching Caitlin, poking an accusing finger towards him and her, ranting and raving. Levi swirls the fork in between his index and thumb, rolling it over and over. He glances over at the obviously shaken girl, then back to her father who's still belittling him.
And then he says something about the commander, and Levi stops his fidgeting, instead holding the fork upside down and placing the tips on the cloth table throw and holding this position with his pointer finger. He licks the top of his teeth and looks at his plate, then the floor before raising his gaze back up to her father, just in time for him to call Levi a rat, and repulsive at that. He quickly turns his gaze to Caitlin who's trying to apologize. He offers a hushing gesture with his hand, as in it's cool, no worries, but she gets up quickly and runs off. Scooting the chair out with an audible creak but not fast enough as she runs pass, Levi slowly rises completely to look at her father, the fork falling over onto the table and his free hand grabbing the napkin from his lap.
"Before you call me a ruffian, of which the only thing you know about me is what I do, and how seriously I take it. Why that's not right...but look at you!" Levi exclaims, pointing at the clueless man, "Look at yourself! You expect her to bring someone home who you approve of, yet all you do is accuse of low-life dwellings, and the impossibility of worth! Even the commander.." He throws the napkin onto his plate, covering his food, sinking down onto the plate, swelling up with the juices from the meal. "I've only come to talk, not court, yet you assume the worse. Pish, Baron, where were you when your city was in need of defense, and guidance? Who am I kidding, you can't even keep your daughter straight." He pushes the chair back so he can walk around it towards the door. "And one last thing...before you call my ways dishonorable, and disgraceful for trapping such beautiful and exotic creatures...look at yourself, you're the worst offender." He turns walks out the great doors, leaving the baron there by himself.
Poking his head back in to get one last quip. "I've bled black for this city, are you willing to bleed red?" He scowls before walking out, shutting the front door behind him softly. Though he thinks he handled the situation well, Levi is FUMING once he reaches the fair air outside, seeming colder than when he first arrived. He sticks his left hand in his jacket pocket, and runs his right hand through his hair, tilting his head back and sighing in frustration.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 30, 2017 16:51:32 GMT
Marquel was beside himself, unable to speak. Especially hung up on the words "even the commander". If even the commander wasn't good enough, then who was? but the truth behind that tale was fear, a fear of the EIRALs learning what his daughter really was, and the fear of the commander's honor winning out over his affection for what could have been his wife... but he couldn't tell Levi that, even if Levi most clearly was an Ander himself.
"Now see here!" Marquel sputtered as the animal trapper exited the room, but he was drawn up short as the fellow poked his head back in for one last retort. No, no Marquel hadn't bled for his country, not any color black or red. And he had the good grace to blanch at the suggestion, his face draining of color. Barons dont fight battles. It simply wasn't done.
Caitlin heard the muffle of shouts from down stairs but she had yet to respond to it. She knew she shouldn't have left Levi down there alone, but in the moment she couldn't seem to help herself. Then she heard the front door open and close with finality and she huffed an agonizing exhale of breath.
"This was a mistake," she muttered outloud before reaching for her bedroom door. She opened it just in time to see her father peer up the stairs in her direction. Angrily, she slammed the door shut again and marched to the window. it wouldn't be the first time she jumped out. It wouldn't be the last either. She pulled open the glass pane and called out: "Levi?" before climbing one leg over the edge and then the other, her ankles dangling as she ducked the upper half of her body through. Holding on only by the seat of her window sill and her arms secure against the inside walls she looked down. One little spell could break her fall. all she needed to do was
let
go
...
and she did, just as her father knocked on the bedroom door.
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Levi looks around at the sound of his name, straightening his coat out by grabbing the collar and giving a quick tug. He wonders off the path towards Caitlin's room, looking up at her in the window. He throws his arms up in a confused gesture "Whadda' doin'? Get down from.." into a silenced, surprised face as she jumps, his heart beating as he dashes forwards towards her. Yeah, she could probably make it because she's awesome like that, but brownie points never hurt. Sliding over the grass during his arrival he plants his feet wide, stabilizing himself for the catch.
Post by Caitlin Cockfoster on Oct 31, 2017 15:41:02 GMT
Caity was just done with her father right now, and the knock on the door was the straw that broke the camels back. She heard Levi's voice which quirked a smile in her lips as she pressed them tightly closed and dropped from the upper story of her home. Her hair came undone almost immediately, spiraling up above her head in the whipping of the wind. She saw her rogue running toward her from across the lawn and she relaxed into the fall, closing her eyes as she leaned back into the open air. A little stir of power from deep inside her chest spread outward to coat her entire body like a second skin. She used to use platform jumping with Kinetics to get down, but these days she had choices. This day.... she chose Telekinesis III, enough to levitate her whole body, slowing down her fall to look like she was sinking through the sky like a body descending the depths of the ocean. Slowly.... cinematically... dreamily... giving Levi time to reach her.
Cait didn't open her eyes until she felt his arms holding her, pulling her to him and wrapping her in his strong embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered into his jacketed shoulder, tears on her face smudging off against the rich fabric. He didn't need to see those anyway. It was bad enough her eyes were puffy and her skin blotchy from her momentary panic and dash. Expelling a little magic was as restorative as a good cry anyway. "I'm sorry about... him." she said, unwilling to say her fathers name quite yet. So she was still mad, after all.... But at least she was out of the house, and she had Levi.
Caitlin looked up at her window, and saw her fathers face poke out through the opening. he said nothing, just starred at the two on the ground before gazing out around the property, checking that no one saw whatever stunt she'd just pulled. She looked away from him, resenting his stupid concerned face. Concerned for all the wrong reasons, she thought.
"I wish it had gone better," she told Levi. "I hadn't meant for it to turn out like this."
She sat her glass down next to the decanter and leaned back. This was nice... like falling into a vat of marshmallow fluff. Calm, muffled, the rest of the world blocked out by the closed door to his cabin, and here they were safe inside. Safe from reality, safe from their own complicated lives. Safe from duty. Safe from context. Just. Safe. --Caitlin
Catching the falling snowflake, beautiful in the wind, he sways slightly after she reaches his arms, pulling her in close in case he would tip over. He doesn't smile, or frown, just holds a simple expression. "It's what I thought'd happen, meeting him for the first time wasn't great either." He says, kissing the side of her head a few times vertically in a line in reassurance. He looks back up towards the window when she does, looking at her father then back at her as he slowly sets her feet on the ground. "Next time will be betta'." He says with a smug smile, his hand coming up to softly guide her face to his, locking his lips to hers in a show of affection, and, maybe a little spite. He drops his hand down from her face after a second, his fingers grabbing two of hers, as his face slowly pulls away from hers. "Come on, let's go to the ship. Dinner for two, yeah?"