#forestofforever. Sylvester

[townofcadence]

The Crow is here with a gift because of course he is!

"Ah...uhm... I was told it is your day of birth..? I am not used to such celebrations so I asked about it. The Heart said that it is important to give a gift to the person whose day of birth it is. The Merchant said it is customary to wear a bow on one's head for the occasion..." The Merchant had definitely just been messing with the Crow, but alas, he did not notice and now he's looking like a little present himself.

He offers the gift to Artair. It is a fairly simple box, though the contents of the box clearly took some thought and effort. There was a little nest made out of twigs, leaves, and some strands of animal hair. Inside the nest are two little birds that have been made out of various materials; twigs, straw, feathers, and dried flower petals. One looks like a crow, the other like a mixture of a Strawberry Finch and a Gold Finch. They are admittedly a little... primitive... looking, but he's tried his best!

"Happy...day of birth?"

(apologies, I got a bit carried away when I saw it was his birthday :p)

@forestofforever // Birthday Shenanigans!

A smile comes to his face as the Crow speaks. He is still kind of surprised to be receiving anything at all, especially when he's hardly spoken about his birthday. The idea of obligating someone to center him is one he hates. So if people find out, he's fine with it, but he doesn't say anything, so no one has to remember.

Color him surprised that the Crow found out. Maybe he'd overheard something. Or talked to his uncle? Whatever the case may be, it's beyond sweet, and he's touched just seeing the box, and the bow planted on the Crow's head.

"You're too kind." Artair accepts the box. "You didn't have to get me anything. Gosh... Though, ha, the Merchant was probably messing with you a little. The bows usually go on the gifts." But then a hand comes out and rub along one of his feathery cheeks. "Though in that case you still got it right. Because you're definitely a gift to me too, haha."

Artair pulls it from the box once he's opened it, and his smile is already bright. "Aw! Look at them! They look like us, that's so adorable." He lifts it, inspecting all the little pieces. It may be rudimentary in craftsmanship, but it is made with love he can feel through his fingertips, and it is honestly so thoughtful and beyond what he is expecting.

Artair points at the crow, with a smile. "I love it. That one is totally me, right?"

[townofcadence]

LOOK AT HIM!!! HE'S SO CUTE!!! I'M WRAPPING HIM IN A COCOON OF PLUSH THINGS

Comfy...

[the-haunted-office]

( @forestofforever - Continued from here!)

Something interesting always seems to happen whenever Doom comes to visit this dimension, doesn't it?

First, there was that guy who killed someone by grabbing their wrist.

Then, there was that guy who wanted to take a dead body and turn him into taxidermy.

Then, there was that time that same guy was being randomly called a "monster" by some random stranger out and about.

And now that same guy is being chased by someone and he looks pretty terrified.

What's up with this guy?

Is he like, the village nerd or something? Everybody's gotta gang up on him and bully him for some reason? Call him names and chase him around? What's up with that shit?

Well, Doom doesn't like that. Her normal instinct would be to beat the shit out of the ones doing the bullying, but she decides to just remove him from the situation instead. She'll come back later and and knock some people around, but first, get this guy out of here.

Doom suddenly jumps out from behind a car, tosses Sylvester up over her shoulder like he weighs nothing more than a pillow, pops open a portal back to the Office, hops through it, and closes it immediately behind herself - although technically someone could follow her through it, if they're fast enough.

Assuming no one has followed her through, though...

The change in environment is probably huge to Sylvester, going from the city to a brightly lit inside of an Office building, with ugly orange carpets and old white walls and gray cubicle sets.

"Ehehehehe, that guy was too slow," she snickers, and goes to set him back down on his feet... only to realize that he'd apparently fainted at some point when he collapses straight away onto the floor like a pile of wet spaghetti. "Oh... Well, shit, my bad, man," she mutters, collecting him back into her arms and taking him to the nearest empty employee office that's been made over into a guest room.

There, she puts him down on the bed before backing off and putting her hands on her hips and just... staring at him all like, well wtf am I supposed to do now? wait for him to wake up or what?

Which is exactly what she does. She pulls up a chair and sits there until he wakes up. It doesn't appear that she has realized yet that he might be injured or hurt in some way, just that he has fainted.

[rpvmsx]

@forestofforever from here

His most immediate response is a hearty chuckle. Perhaps he's just a nervous laugher? Although his shit-eating grin would suggest otherwise.

"My, that's a cute little thing. What exactly do you think you're going to do with that?" His eyes flick down to gesture to the blade, though he cannot see it.

The confident facade falters for just a moment as he swallows, a sudden flash of memories, and their associated emotions, hitting him as he feels the pressure of the blade. But they rather quickly resolve back into a grin of renewed vigor, a flash of teeth. Sharp teeth, biting his lip in a deliberate attempt to call attention to them.

A gloved hand reaches for Sylvester's, hoping to disarm him or, at the very least, restrain him. He's not as quick when he's hungry, but maybe a small distraction will even the odds. "Dinner? Personally, I'm famished, and really this is no way to treat a guest."

[rpvlix]

Ken's eyes are enormous by the end of that. He almost can't believe what he's hearing, but he hasn't really got a reason not to. He could've listened to someone talk about anything they were passionate about for hours, but, of all things, it just so happened to be this.

"There really aren't many people out there that get it, are there? I do." His emphasis carries some deeper catharsis with it, not just declaring that he sees Sylvester, but that he hopes he sees him too, relieved by the thought. "It's beautiful. Poetic, even. How could it be anything but art?"

Art, death, medical sciences, three of his favorite topics, all rolled into one, perhaps he won't scare this guy off as quickly as he'd expected. "I collect wet specimens, myself. Always been fascinated with death, anatomy, dissection, decay, preservation. Something about life being frozen in time that just..." He doesn't finish the sentence, but his face says enough; it's awe, pure admiration. He wouldn't know a good enough word to summarize the feeling anyway.

"Ever work on anything odd? I've got a medical anomaly or two, my absolute favorite specimens. I would love to hear more about your art. Everything, really, I'd love to hear everything." Maybe a big ask, but he's very transparently excited to meet another person with more morbid tastes.

A date with the Macabre Parasite (open starter)

[parabelllvm]

@forestofforever | continued from here

❝No.❞

Brodiaea's voice is firm as they speak and, as gently as they can, they place a hand on Sylvester to prevent him from fully getting up — keeping him seated on the ground. With the injury he just sustained, it's unlikely that he would've made it very far. Even with adrenaline and whatever else is fueling his nerves following it, all it would take is the slightest disconnect between mind and body and he'd go crashing to the ground again.

❝What I need you to do is breathe, okay? Slowly.❞ they continue to instruct, rolling up their sleeves a bit so their hands are a bit more free to move. They don't hesitate to pull the other man's top up just enough to reveal more of the wound, nose scrunching up a bit at how much blood he was still losing.

❝…I need you to trust me a little bit, okay?❞ — and as they talk, they're lifting a part of their robe and tearing fabric from it — fabric that they layer and fold quickly until they can press it against the wound. ❝And I need you to hold this against your side, understand?❞

They don't wait for him to lift his arm but instead lifts it for him, guiding Sylvester's hand to the darkening cloth and pressing it to the spot firmly. ❝Like this… and don't let up, understand?❞

[arcanescholxr]

Closed starter for @forestofforever

“It’s really cold out there, isn’t it?” Dwight muses as he watches the snow falling down into small flurries. It was the kind of weather that most people would stay inside for. Curled up on the couch with a nice warm beverage. Dwight was close to closing up shop for tonight as to give his employee a chance to get home before it got too cold.

There was only one other person in the store at the time, as the cold got more intense. Dwight sets down a mug of hot chocolate for Sylvester to take and, a plate of cookies. There was a small section off in the store for customers to sit and read their books. There was a coffee table near as well.

“Careful, it’s still a little hot.”

[townofcadence]

(well, since the campfire is allowed, here goes :p)

"You are like... a campfire. When people are lost, and afraid, the fire makes them feel safe. It is like home, even when their own home is so very far away. It brings comfort. It gives them an escape from the dark and the cold and all the unpleasant things that they have been afraid of... That fire means everything, it saves the damned." The Crow cannot quite look Artair in the eyes as he speaks, shuffling his feet nervously. "And this campfire has made an animal feel like a person again."

What Light You Are

"Oh...." He doesn't know what to say to that either. It's too heartfelt not to ache a little. "Ah..... Thank you, Crow. I..... if I really make you feel that way, I'm-- I'm very glad. It's all I could ask for. I..... I'd like to give you a hug, maybe? If that's okay."

[townofcadence]

The Crow found himself approaching a building that appeared to be abandoned, though he knew better. There was a presence there, one he recognized. He proceeded to fly in through the window, landing not far from the man that he knew.

The man looked different, yes, but he could still tell that it was the same person he'd met in the forest. The snakes hardly deterred him from approaching him anyway. The Crow shed his feathers, taking on the shape of a man before taking a few steps closer to Artair, still keeping some distance between them, as he always did. "He...helllo." His voice was still a tad creaky, though it sounded like he'd been practicing his speech since they'd last met.

The stairs have been restored, so there was no danger of falling through or shoddy support. The rage room..... he'd replaced the floorboards and spackled and repainted the walls. He'd redone the halls and all the carpets had been cleaned and refurbished. Contract work wasn't new to him, so the whole process of making this place livable was....meditative, almost. He'd gotten outside tended of all the weeds too, and mowed down and tilled for fresh gardening. There was a compost pile now, already started in preparation, he'd replaced the fridge, and was setting tile against the backboard of the kitchen wall, leaning on a countertop he'd replaced earlier in the week.

There's a fluttering sound, and a familiar feeling. He doesn't immediately place what it is, as in his own head as he is while he works. But he does pause with a tile still perched between his fingers, listening. Something-- changes, magic shifts near him, and that feels even more familiar, a similar shifting of threads he's felt before.

The soft greeting unknots him from his surprise, and he finds his voice again. "Crow-- is that you? Oh--." He's-- very different right now, he drops the tile and instead curves his hands over his serpentine tresses as if to corral them. His band is still on, but he swallows. "Um. Wow. I didn't expect-- are you okay? Is everything alright?"

[townofcadence]

Artair had given him new clothing. The Crow had put it on right away, of course, even if the pieces puzzled him a little. His normal clothes were... a tad old fashioned, and not only were these items more vibrant in color, but their fabric was also much softer. The sensation of it against his skin made him squirm a little. It wasn't unpleasant, just unusual... and the items still smelled a bit like Artair.

The clothing was only the start, Artair had brought blankets and a tent, and it seemed like he was planning on staying the night. The Crow was excited about Artair sticking around for longer, that was always a plus as far as he was concerned. He usually slept as a bird, though, so this was... something he had to adjust to. But the blankets were soft and the Crow was more comfortable than he'd been in ages. This was far more pleasant than his little nest; it was much warmer and much softer. He curled up in the pile of blankets, letting out a soft rattling noise to show his appreciation.

He could've fallen asleep right then and there, but he sat up before sleep could fully claim him. "Thank you." He beamed at Artair, still holding a blanket wrapped around himself. "Will you join me in the blankets?"

@forestofforever // Hell Yeah Sleepover (unprompted!)

Artair beams back. He isn't one to sleep, but he likes... being near people he cares about, while they rest. There's something special about them giving him the chance to share a moment of vulnerability with them like that. He.... it's probably a bit strange, but he likes seeing how they sleep. Do they rest with a peaceful expression? Do they look nervous? Do they curl up small or starfish? It's a vulnerable thing to share sleep, but when someone trusts him that much... it's a privilege. One he will do his best to respect.

"If you'd like me to." He offers the crow a grin. He crawls over the walls built of fabric, and into the hollow, before throwing a blanket over himself too. That way the Crow wouldn't need to be worried about his hands. "What do you think of the tent? I figure it's kinda snug, but might be nice if it rains or anything. The sound of it hitting the tent is pretty soothing too." He leans his wrapped up shoulder against the Crow's as he settles further.

[townofcadence]

“What are you cooking?” - the Crow

Get a Meal

Artair hums as he cooks. "I wasn't sure what you'd like, but I figured this could be a neat little adventure!" Artair places a plate in front of the Crow. It has noodles on it, with small shrimps visible throughout the plate, as well as a collection of greens and a wedge of lime. "This is pad thai with a peanut sauce. I didn't go spicy with it-- honestly I'm not sure how much you'd taste it anyways? But I figured it'd be new. Andddd if you don't like it or it's too much, I made some bread. It's lemon and raspberry with poppyseeds, so it's kind of a dessert food, but at least I know you can eat that stuff, haha."

A second plate is set closer to the center of the table. with a yellowy brown bread, dotted with dark seeds and bright pockets of raspberry red. "I ah... hope you enjoy? I didn't have the cilantro so I left it out, but for some people it kinda tastes soapy so I figured it might be a safer bet, anyways. And I felt like chicken might be strange to feed a guy who turns into a bird, even if birds do eat other birds and eggs and stuff if they want-- BUT. Anyways. I figured it might be neat for you to try something else! And I think seafood is like-- really good. So ah.... bon appetite?"

[townofcadence]

For the monster meme! (I believe I did send a short version but felt the need to expand)

It takes the Crow a moment to truly register what is being said. Sure, he hears the word and understands it just fine, but there's something about someone calling Artair a monster that feels so wrong that his mind can't quite make sense of it.

The forest is full of monsters, from the creatures that dwell in the shadows to the ones that come to visit, and Artair? Artair is no monster. Artair is soft and sweet and kind, Artair is home.

The Crow isn't about to let this slide.

He doesn't usually get angry, and it's been years since someone managed to genuinely get him to lose his temper, but it's certainly happening now. A rattling noise comes from his throat, a much lower pitch than usual, the sound guttural, dangerous.

The Crow knows how to deal with threats, he was made to protect after all, and this person? This person is bad. And that makes them a threat. The Crow will never allow a threat to get near Artair, not if he can help it. And so the gloves come off and the Crow doesn't hesitate for even a second to grab onto the other's throat, his own face twisted in fury.

@forestofforever // Calling Artair a Monster

OOH MAN!

I think in that case Artair would do his damnedest to stop the Crow. A hug to the waist, grabbing his arm near the shoulder. That swelling fury is enough to know he needs to move, and he would do his best.

If he failed, he would--- apologize to the Crow. I think he'd be crying, because a part of him is just devastated that the Crow did this for him, and that the other died. He can't bring himself to blame the Crow though, he's still so naive and he's been raised as a weapon, that it's so easy to not realize when a threat doesn't need to be eliminated if you've always been the extreme response. He would hug him, and apologize, for more things than he could ever say.

After, he would try to explain, that sometimes people can be mean or harsh because they're scared or don't understand. And then he would have the Crow go collect something for him, while he does what he can to fix the situation, to take the mistake away so the Crow doesn't have to feel he's done anything wrong :3

[townofcadence]

Finding a gift for Artair hadn't been easy. An ordinary gift would not do, and besides, it's not like the Crow could just walk into a store to buy something to begin with... still, he did his best, and he is here now to give it to Artair. He's wearing his new gloves, and he's nervously tugging at the leather after handing a small box to Artair. It's wrapped in flower petals and held together with spider gossamer.

Inside the box Artair would find a brooch. In the middle of the brooch there is a gleaming padparadscha sapphire, the gem surrounded by silver feathers, three on each side, gently curving around the sides of the stone, as if shielding it from the outside world.

"The stone...it...uhm... it reminded me of a sunset. And you remind me of a sunset, so I... I thought it would be fitting." His face is quickly turning red and he quickly averts his eyes. "I cannot create anything magical, but the Merchant was willing to help me." Of course that did come with it's own cost, but it was worth it. "It is no ordinary brooch, you see. Once a day, you can touch the gem and speak to it, and I will hear it. I can do the same." He taps a small brooch he's wearing himself. It's smaller, only containing a small clear quartz in a round wooden frame. "So we can talk even when you cannot come to the forest, and I can not visit you. It can only convey a short message each time, but still..."

He smiles sheepishly, seeming a little embarrassed. "It is not as amazing as the gloves, I do not think anything could ever come close... and I suppose it is a little selfish too. To even assume you would want to talk. You do not have to use it if you do not want to... or I could give you both brooches and you could give this one to somebody else?" He motions at his own brooch as his blush proceeds to deepen further. "I just wanted to give you something in return..

@forestofforever // Gifts!!

Artair is surprised by the gift, but no less thankful for the kindness of the Crow. He assumes initially on opening it that it will be another trinket, much like the special pearl that the Crow has given him that stays in his bag with him.

What he does not expect is a brooch inside the gossamer box, once he unravels it with an equal measure of delicacy to the thread that binds it. He blinks several times, the stone catching light and glinting in pinks and yellows and browns and reds and oranges and--- a twinkling sunset full of color. He doesn't know what to say.

The Crow fills his silence while he takes in each intricate detail. He stares at it longer, the more the Crow says. He spoke to the merchant? Well, knowing his experience wit him.... this was special. Important. his gloved thumb traces the edge of the padparadscha, over one of the thing wings ornamenting the stone. He can feel heat in his face, but it just as easily could be his, at such a thoughtful gift.

He smiles at the Crow, who seems worried. He takes the brooch in his hands and hums a single note near the stone. His face brightens, when he hears it play back near the Crow.

"Wow.... you did this for me?" He asks, looking down at it again. "It's.... something awfully thoughtful. Ha....It's almost too much-- but--- but....." He looks at it a moment longer, before pinning it to his messenger bag. "I won't lose it here. I... don't want to lose it."

He tucks some hair behind his ear. "It's wonderful. It's perfect. Thank you, Crow." Once it's secure, he offers what he knows would be the best assurance, and what the Crow might enjoy most: an appreciative embrace.

[townofcadence]

Don't mind the Crow. He's just landing on Artair's shoulder before curling up in the crook of his neck, partially hidden under Artair's hair. He will tell Artair that it's for protection if he ever asks, and totally not at all because he wants to be close to Artair, and this is the only way he can make that happen.

He looks pretty cozy anyway.

@forestofforever // Unprompted !

When the Crow is nestled against his collar and jaw, he doesn't seem to mind. His hand even comes up, to scritch at his cheek and his head. A few of those and he goes back to what he was doing, but he smiles a little more. Maybe the Crow wouldn't admit it, but he knew. It was a show of trust to be this close, this vulnerable, and it means something to him. So he gives the Crow the space, and once in a while, tucks his head just a little more against him where he's nestled.

It's a good day.

[townofcadence]

@forestofforever // Continued!

Artair's eyes are up, still on that bushel of leaves and berries. His mind is caught on the hemi-parasitic nature of the plant, and wondering how the Heart felt about such things. It was another plant, but technically it was encroaching on his forest. Did it count as a part of it by existing within? Probably, right? Animals that ate plants lived here and weren't expelled for eating, be it grass or other animals. It was really just humans it seemed like the Heart took issue with. Maybe because sometimes they killed not just for survival. Though... the Crow had once implied if he defended himself from the creatures, he could be ousted. Which makes him wonder if something had happened. Humans were just another animal, but they had the capacity to do things that might have worn their welcome thin.

The question catches his attention, pulling him from his reverie and back to himself, standing under mistletoe. He blinks a few times, looking towards the Crow. His brain takes a few seconds to jump tracks to the new train of thought, but when the wheels click in place, his eyes widen a fraction.

"Oh! Ah, no. It's not spores. It's like.... a tradition." He rubs at a cheek. "Which I guess is just another word for social obligation, haha."

Artair's hand glides from his cheek to the back of his neck. "It's.... nobody has to participate. But it's kind of like a game in a way. You usually place a sprig of mistletoe where there's chance two people will end up beneath it. Like a doorway. And if they do, they can decide if they want to kiss. Which is the face mashing thing. It's like... pressing your lips to another person. That's a kiss."

His eyes leave the plant for the Crow. "Some people don't like or want to play which should be allowed without any pressure, but some people find it a fun little thing to do for the winter season. But there isn't any obligation. And there are different ways to do it. Like...." He motions for the Crow to lean down a little, and pecks the crown of his head. "...this. Kiss delivered, haha."

[townofcadence]

"Wh...what is th...that... thing in your... mou...mouth?" The Crow gives Artair a curious look, as if he's only just noticed it. "That th...thing in your to...ton...gue? Does it hurt?" It reminded him vaguely of the hooks some people used to catch fish. "Did some...one try to c...catch you... with it? Did it... break off?" His brows furrow at this thought.

Unprompted! // @forestofforever

What he says has him looking a little confused, but then he laughs when it clicks what he seems to think it is. Probably his only experience with metal in the mouth were the hunters he sometimes had to keep an eye on.

"Oh-- You mean my piercing?" Artair smiles, sticking his tongue out so he can see it better. It is a small, metallic purple barbell the pierces the midline, with a little bead on top and on the underside. After he's sure The Crow's had a chance to inspect it, he retracts his tongue to speak again. "It's like.... jewelry? For your body. But that you put in it on purpose? It doesn't hurt! At least not after it heals enough, usually. It does when they put it in, but if you want it, that bit of pain can be worth it. Like-- a tattoo. They use ink and put markings on your skin. It uses a needle, but a lot of people like to decorate themselves with them."