OPEN LOG FOR JAN

[heartstings]

WHO: Kenzi & OPEN
WHERE: Maurtia Falls & around
WHEN: January
WHAT: Some prompts for early January
WARNINGS: Alcohol, language, general Kenzi stuff

[A] THE RED BRANCH
[ Most any day of the week Kenzi can be found at the Branch. The exterior is still covered in graffiti but the front door, windows, and shutters have all been repaired. The door is unlocked to those that give it a try, though those with ill intent in their heart may find they can’t pass through the doorway.

Once inside the building is warm and inviting, if a little empty.

If Kenzi isn’t immediately in view her voice can be heard from somewhere in the building. ]

In here! [ Whereever here is. ]

[B] THE RED BRANCH SAND PIT
[ Some days the door is locked, but if one decides to wander the grounds a bit they’ll find a path has been cut through the overgrown that leads back around the building. There is a clearing with wooden seats built around a large pit of cleared land that has been filled in with sand. Broken weapon stands sit nearby. They’re mostly empty save a few broken wooden training weapons.

Well, there was sand but it’s now all been overtaken by grass which Kenzi is trying to clear away by any means necessary. In this case, it seems to be the use of her light abilities. Which seems to be doing a pretty good job of burning away the grass. ]

[C] GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN (OPEN; ANY CITY THAT ISN’T JEOPARDY)
[ Kenzi can be found in the bars and clubs in any of the cities; flirting, drinking, hustling some guys at pool if there happens to be a table, and dancing. She back from vacation and not letting the fun train come to a stop. Not yet, anyway.

She might also be found in a cafe or diner, window shopping, or just chilling on a bench. She likely has Sir Apple, the cat-sized green and pink fairy dragon, with her. Having him around garners a bit of a crowd, usually children, so she can’t be too hard to miss. ]

[D] WILDCARD
[ HMU on plurk or toss up your own prompt. ]

Comments

[heartstings]

[ The sudden presence of a new voice results in the little dragon sleepily lifting his head. He stares at Xellos for a moment before hissing.

Something loud thumps upstairs and is soon followed by the rush of footfalls coming down the stairs. ]

Whose upsetting my dragon? [ She calls down before stopped about halfway down the stairs where she can get a better look at the main area. She's dressed comfortably, hair pulled back, and her insect-like wings rest against her back. ]

[despicableglee]

[Xellos turns his head and smiles, holding up a hand in greeting as the winged woman makes her appearance.]

Hello! Your dragon must be easily upset -- all I did was ask a question.

[heartstings]

[ Sir Apple remains puffed up, eyes focused on Xellos. Kenzi can feel his unease and wonders what it is about this man that has him so upset. She does her best to reach out and mentally try to calm him but it doesn't seem to do much good. ]

Uh, huh. Sir Apple usually likes people. [ Rather than continue to speak from the stairs she hops over the railing, wings fluttering to slow her fall. ]

So, did you stop by to have a drink, to help out, or just scoping the place out?

[despicableglee]

[well, Sir Apple's just going to have to deal with this evil manifestation, isn't he? 'cause Xellos ain't leaving in a hurry!

he offers a shrug, still smiling cordially.]

I was in the neighborhood, and this place seemed a bit curious! Sometimes you find something worth note by following strange leads. [like magic wards.]

[heartstings]

[ Kenzi makes her way across the room and scoops up the fussy dragon, petting him and trying to soothe him. ]

Well, welcome to the Red Branch. Got a name?

[despicableglee]

Xellos! A humble priest. [he gives a polite bow with an arm flourish. very humble.

as he straightens up:] Why's the branch red?

[heartstings]

[ Kenzi narrows her eyes at him, a priest? ]

You wouldn't happen to be the same priest that was going on about sacrifices, huh?

[ A shrug. ] I didn't name the place but knowing Cu it's probably because it's bloody.

[despicableglee]

Hmm?

[he tilts his head, giving that a brief thought before it clicks:] Oh! Ye-hesss! I do recall a little chat about that earlier on. Was that you, then? What a coincidence! In the flesh!

[heartstings]

Ah, so you're the weirdo. [ Her tone is flat. ]

I'm Kenzi, by the way. So, did you want a drink or are you just going to poke around the place?

[despicableglee]

[he grins through that dry observation before tapping his chin in thought.]

Well, I suppose I could do both, right? Or will your pet not permit that?

[heartstings]

There ain't much to see but, a'ight, what's your poison? [ She moves back to the doorway that leads into the den, carrying the dragon with her. ]

Sir Apple isn't my pet and he can just deal. [ The little dragon makes a sound of protest but seems resigned to be carried off. ]

[despicableglee]

Oh, anything, anything! I'm not picky at all.

[he follows behind, looking about to take note of the decor -- and his ever-so-gracious host's wings. she certainly didn't strike him as a nonhuman, especially not with that general aura about her. maybe it's one of those Porter-things he's read about?

ah, well. so long as the unease still tastes the same, it hardly matters if she's got wings or six legs, right?]

[heartstings]

Vodka it is then. [ Because she is certainly stocked up on the cheap stuff.

She is one hundred percent human, despite what the 'Porter has done to her. And her level of unease is certainly more on the ease side of the scale despite how much Sir Apple doesn't seem to like Xellos.

The den itself is down a few steps, immediately entering into what appears to be a living room with several other darkened doorways leading off into other rooms. She sets Sir Apple on the back of the couch and grabs a bottle and some glasses from a nearby table. ]

[despicableglee]

Oooh, how cozy! [what a setup she has here! Xellos mulls around, cheerfully ignoring the unhappy dragon sounds that come with him passing by and lingering near some of the doors.]

What's in the rooms?

[heartstings]

[ Sir Apple sits on the back of the couch where he keeps a wary eye on Xellos.

There's plenty to be seen in the living area, blades of varying sorts strewn about on various surfaces. Books in all sorts of languages fill a bookcase but are also all over the room. It's not very organized in, really. And then there's Kenzi's clothing spread about. ]

Bedroom, kitchen, bathroom. [ She points to each one in turn before filling a glass for him. ]

[despicableglee]

Hoh? So this is your business and your residence? How convenient! [he turns away from the doors and heads back her way, balancing his staff on a shoulder.]

[heartstings]

I'm not living here. Yet. [ Soon though, she hopes. She pours herself some vodka as well before recapping the bottle. ]

Welp, now you've seen most of the place. Curiosity satisfied?

[despicableglee]

[he makes a drawn-out, thoughtful sound while taking the glass offered.]

So was the magic barrier the previous owner's security system? Or yours?

[heartstings]

[ The barrier isn't the only magic around. The door leading into the den is enchanted, though it's open so there's not much reason to poke at it. ]

So you noticed that, huh? Does it matter who made it?

[despicableglee]

[look, if he wanted to be pedantic, he could say "in the end nothing matters," but that's a bit dull, isn't it?

so instead:] It's good practice to take note of other magical sorts around, especially in such a strange place, yes? Who knows when they could come in handy.

[heartstings]

[ Dull but true. ]

I suppose. [ She shrugs before knocking back her drink. Still not answering the question, of course. ]

Anyway, there's not a lot to see in here, yet. And I got some work to do outside while it's still light and not rainy.

[despicableglee]

[he tilts his head, still smiling amicably.] Is that code for suggesting I get a move on.

[heartstings]

You don't have to go home but you can't stay in here!

[ She places her glass back on the table and moves toward the door of the den. ]

That said, you can follow me out to the sandpit if you want.

[despicableglee]

[still carrying his own glass, Xellos chortles and follows behind her without argument.]

Right, right...because there's no special locks in this part of the building.

[heartstings]

Noticed that one too, huh? [ The one on the door certainly has a different "signature" to it. One he'll get a better look at once he's out of the room because she shuts the door behind them. There are a few clicks at the locks fall into place, a faint glow pulsates across the runes etched into door's surface and then it just looks like a fancy door.

She makes her way to the front door, pausing to fold her wings up along her back and put her jacket and gloves on before heading outside. If Xellos follows he'll find he has no issue exiting the building. ]