catch-all

[starshepard]

Who ⬤ Azem + FOLKS
What ⬤ Catch-all for July, various dates and stuff
When ⬤ shortly after Ember 2.0 launch
Where ⬤ Around the city
Content Warnings ⬤ will update as needed


Feel free to drop a TL here if you want.

Comments

for Sha Gojyo

[starshepard]

[ After being told when to drop by and getting directions to Gojyo's apartment, Azem prepared. They have some other stuff to get through first and when they arrive they completely forget they're still using their masculine form. This form looks identical to their feminine form only they're less curvy.

Perhaps they should have mentioned this particular ability to him before now, though it's much too late now.

They ring the bell (or know, whichever is available to announce their arrival) and wait. ]

[pervy_kappa]

[At this point the amount of Tamamo Clan Members he had snuck into the Shuten dorms for a hang out date had been laughable. The security staff probably thought something fowl of him as well.

And although some of it was legit, most of the time it was just to chill and have fun. Not his fault that a lot of the Tamamo members knew how to have enjoy themselves more than those of his own group.

But at this point he knew the protocol, making sure to tell Azem to act as sultry as possible and say she was coming in for a 'client' in order to get past staff.

Yeah, security definitely thought the worst of him.

Nonetheless he was more than ready to answer the door when she knocked. Having even gone so far as to have cleaned up his place a little so that it was actually presentable.

So what he wasn't expecting when he opened the door was to see Azem... Not quite looking like Azem?

Well... It looked like Azem. But that frame... And the cut of their jaw... That was a dude... Right?

He knew a dude when he spotted one. His excited expression immediately dropping and replaced with one of cautious confusion.]

Eh?

[.... Was this some sort of practical joke?]

[starshepard]

[ Sure Azem could have seduced their way in, but they have other ways of sneaking into places. So it wasn't hard for them to just move right past any security without being detected so long as they had someone to tail that could open doors for them. Its a tactic that might have taken a little longer to get up to Gojyo's room, but it did the trick. ]

Huh? [ Azme tilts their head a little, blinding up at him. Their voice is a few octaves deeper in this form, to name another difference. ]

Did you change your mind about inviting me over?

[pervy_kappa]

Inviting... You?

[Oh yeah. He was definitely being fucked with right now. Nice try Azem. He isn't quite sure what you did to pull this off. How you manage to find someone who looked just like you or used some sort of magic or had a secret identical twin who also ended up here or something but he wasn't falling for it.


Wait.... Magic.

There was no way. Was there?

His confused expression only seems to grow more dramatic by the second.]

.... Azem?

That's really you?

[starshepard]

[ Just the slowest of blinks up at him, confusion clearly etched on Azem's face. ]

What do you mean is it really me? Of course, it is!

[ They motion down to themselves as they glance down and realize what's going on. ]

Oh! Oh, right. [ They laugh and then suddenly their form changes, curves filling out as would be expected of the form he'd met Azem in previously. It happens so quickly it could be missed if he blinked. ]

There, how's that? [ Their voice a few octaves higher than just a moment ago. ]

[pervy_kappa]

[...... Eh.]

EEeeeehhHHH!?!

[Yeah-- That-- That got to him. It didn't matter how used to magic he was, that was not something he had ever run into before and seeing her change right there in front of him just-- Well he was stunned!]

Dude. You can just do that?

[Absolutely stunned.]

Wait. Have you always been able to do that?

[And how many times in his life is he going to end up in a situation that flips his inherent belief of gender on its head? He couldn't take his brain 404-ing this many times over.]

[starshepard]

[ Azem bursts into a fit of laughter at his response. It takes her a moment to regain her composure and catch her breath. ]

Haah... Yeah. [ She nods, grinning up at him. ]

It's something I was always able to do back home. It was limited for a little bit, but not I can change whenever and however many times I want. Now if I can just get my other form back.

[ She motions for him to move aside so she can come in. ]

Am I to just stay in the hall all day?

(backdated) for Goro Majima

[starshepard]

[ Location set for their little wrestling date, Azem heads out to meet up with Majima. They'd be lying if they said they weren't excited to test Majima's new strength. He's bested them before when it came to a contest of strength, but Azem maintains they were at a disadvantage to not really knowing the rules and being a bit worn out from previous wins.

After all, the tall man hadn't seemed to weight much to her when she picked him up before.

When she arrives there's a bit grin on her face when she arrives. ]

Before we begin, which form would you like me in?

[no_kyouken]

[ He's beginning to weigh more, bit by bit. He is filling out now that he has access to stable sources of food and a regular gym. In the end though, he will always be more lithe than most other fighters his size. He can't get too big or he starts to lose out in speed, after all.

He smiles sheepishly at the question. Not the kind of option you get with just anyone but they're easy willingness to roll with things is definitely a big part of why he likes them. There's a total lack of surprise or social pressure when he wants to do something different for himself too. ]

Dunno, pretty cute either way.

[ But he considers it anyway. ]

Boy.

[ If for no other reason than it's been a while. ]

[starshepard]

[ Meanwhile, nothing is really changing for Azem's physicality. They're still as small and muscular as they were when they arrived. They still don't even have access to their monstrous transformation.

Azem laughs at being called cute. ]

In that case.

[ The change is a blink and you miss it kind of thing. Such a subtle change that leaves Azem's shirt hanging a bit baggier on them.

The step closer to Majima, grinning wider as they look up at him. When they speak their voice is a few octaves lower. ]

You do look a little bigger. [ They remark. The video hadn't been the best quality so it'd been hard to tell if there was much physical change. But now that they're face to face it's easy to see. ]

[no_kyouken]

[ He smiles back, fangy and charming. ]

It's goin' all right.

[ He knows he's gotten to a point where the changes are very obvious, but he's not done yet. He wants more, to be stronger, to be faster, to be able to handle the problems crop up in front of him in this world. He wants. ]

Ya can inspect me up close any time.

[ He doesn't say that kind of hammy shit with seriousness. ]

[starshepard]

[ Those fangs, as ever, catch Azem's attention and they can't help but stare a little. A bite from Majima would certainly hurt but still, they think they would enjoy it. ]

Oh, can I now? [ There's little warning for what comes next. Azem moves forward, ducking their head as they aim to press their shoulder into Majima's stomach and get their arms around him in order to lift him up. Or at the very least topple him over. ]

[no_kyouken]

[ He snorts a laugh but isn't surprised that they'd jump right in and shoot their shot. He just can't let them keep a grip on him. So he leans forward into it and pushes on their arms to break their grip. That's the test: can they keep a hold despite the new strength he has to throw around. ]

Whaddya think, huh?

for Ydris

[starshepard]

[ Having learned a bit about games of chance of Gojyo, Azem feels better prepared to experience the casino. She might not have even bothered going at all if not for the fact that Tenkohime had gifted her with a little extra luck.

She might have asked Hythlodaeus to come with her. The chaos of the two of them in a casino would have been fun, but Ydris has been there for her during some tough times. They've also been working themselves ragged and Azem decided that they were a better candidate for a little fun.

As planned, they turn up to drag Ydris off to the casino. ]

Ready for some fun? [ Look at that excited smile. There's no way anyone can say no to that. ]

[enterthe]

[Ydris was... still at their office. They absolutely need to be collected and dragged away from their tasks. To the very moment Azem walks in they are stood at their desk tapping away at some last minute thing. They execute whatever fix is there and finally rush along to meet her.

They pause briefly to take in her choice of clothing. Ydris isn't aware where they might be taken so they assess the level of fun or casual from Azem's outfit. Their illusion shifts accordingly to something match-y. It's cute,

Their tone is a bit.... off. Clearly off. They don't show tiredness on their face or their posture, so it's all in their voice. They sound ragged,]

Yes, lets get along, before another fire erupts here! [a funny phrase, from them, it's not like they really put out fires...]

[starshepard]

[ Azem has made an attempt at dressing up for the casino. Though it's still just as colorful as ever. She lets out an impressed sound as Ydris changes their outfit to match. ]

Oh, very nice. [ The smile remains in place even though ehe's a little concerned about just how tired Ydris sounds. ]

A good idea. [ She reach for their hand so they can lead them out office and to the casino.

It doesn't take long to reach their destination. Even before they enter the building Azem is already in a state of awe at how decorated the place is on the outside. Most people would probably find it gaudy but Azem is impressed. ] Wow, how grand!

[enterthe]

[Ydris, tired and having been isolating themself a while to work, is in a bit of an odd state. One might call it unguarded. Their usual stubbornness is softened, smiling a bit exasperated to take her hand and hold it as they go on their way. Link arms and walk together would be more appropriate. Holding hands is more intimate... and so casually and openly affectionate, too! A proper Springtide would never..!

So, Ydris thinks it's kind of nice. Unlike them, maybe. Unlike them in a way they wished to indulge in for now.]

A casino!? [they can't much hold in a bark, all ragged toned] Azem, gambling is against my nature! I'm an orderly god, such games are pure chaos.

[starshepard]

[ Holding hands like this would be out of places in Amaurot. Such displays of affection were frowned upon but that never stopped Azem from grabbing her friends' hands and dragging them along. So it's second nature to do so now. She figured if someone was uncomfortable with it they'd either pull away or adjust. ]

Huh? [ She turns back to him, blinking as her joy turns to a bit of confusion. ] That's not true.

[ A pause. ] Well! Some are! But there is also some skill involved. Gojyo taught me that.

[enterthe]

[The hand holding certainly isn't pulled away from. It's nice to Ydris that Azem is so comfortable with the idea, so unburdened with the baggage Springtide have. No worry about the closeness of the soul in one's hands. Ydris' illusion may still include gloves with the outfit, as it always does, still just a bit hung up on that tradition.]

Hhhhh... [what a sound, Ydris, like a hissing teapot before it starts screaming-]Okay. Fine! We'll play those ones. Show me this skill you learned.

for Artemy

[starshepard]

[ Azem's morning is spent trying to decide which obnoxious outfit she's going to wear for the day. She eventually settles on a Hawaiian-style shirt and long skirt with a clashing pattern and colors. Honestly, she looks ridiculous but this is what happens when she's left to dress herself.

It takes Azem a little bit to locate the bar Artemy wanted to meet at, but she's there roughly on time. ]

[pathofsacrifice]

[ Artemy does not take the time to worry about clothes. He wears layers of sweatshirts and zip-up jackets; his jeans are old and stained from everything that has happened in these past few months. They're both ridiculous in different ways, but they're comfortable -- and that is what matters most.

He arrives shortly after she has, and picks up his steps as soon as he realizes she's waiting for him. ]

I hope you weren't waiting too long. [ Is what he says in greeting before opening up the door for her to enter. Time to get drunk and talk medicine. ]

[starshepard]

Oh no, it took me a moment to find my way here. [ The city is, after all, built like a maze. Just because you think you have a straight shot to getting somewhere doesn't mean you actually will.

She smiles and enters ahead of him, stepping aside so he can follow her in. Though she does pause to take a look at the place. She'll let Artemy pick their seats as she's sure he has his favorite place to sit already. ]

[pathofsacrifice]

[ It's a fairly cozy bar -- the counter where most yokai and the like sit, takes up half of the establishment. It allows for easy orders to the staff. But there are three tables pressed up against the side of the wall -- for the sake of maneuverability for everyone and for those not desiring to sit at the bar-counter, as it were.

Artemy shuffles himself toward a table that is set in the corner. He plops himself down and gestures for her to pick up a menu.

When a small bit of time passes, he asks: ] How are you getting along here?

[starshepard]

[ Azem follows along, settling in across him. Once the menu is brought to her attention she picks it up and gives it a look over. ]

Well enough. I've regained some of my abilities and I've gained a rank within the clan.

What about you?

[pathofsacrifice]

More means to heal, then?

[ He cocks his head to the side, assuming Azem is also a healer. ]

I gained a rank, but regained nothing.

[ His face scrunches up like he is attempting to smile, but it is painful to look upon for too long. ]

That is only fair, however.