Changeling
It's still early in the morning, to some at least, and the kitchen is busy with Oberon, the resident Fairest. He's cooking something that is already smelling pretty good. He is wearing a pair of pijama pants and nothing else. As he waits to whatever he's baking to get done, he's leaning against the counter with a hand on one hand. It's an old book by the cover.
Nathania walks into the Wayhouse, and immediately starts following her nose. "Whatever you're... making smells... delicious," the dolly says before she gets to the door. She flushes faintly when she sees the shirtless Oberon, eyes going to the floor immediately. "Should.. I come back... later?" she adds after a moment, realizing she may be intruding.
"No. Not at all." The Fairest says and, upon lifting his eyes, he notes that he has too less clothes, he grins."Sorry. I'll put on some clothes. Please take a look at the oven for a little while. I'm going to the basement to pick a clean t-shirt." Then he hurries downstairs and it only takes a minute to him to come back.
Nathania hangs out in the kitchen until he comes back. "How are... ya, Oberon?" she asks with a soft smile, her blush faded. "I... haven't seen you... since we met Ms... Whitaker... at the occult store."
When he comes back, the Spring courtier is wearing a basic white t-shirt and a smile on his face. "I'm doing okay. What about yourself? I'm hanging out with Haruki a lot lately and that's keeping me a bit busy and a bit out of our world. And also, I got into the Greenies so I'm helping them with the Freehold's garden." He explains briefly.
"I'm... in the Greenies, too. The Watchers and... the Custodians, too." Nathania nods. "I'm also doing... well. Otherwise I'm just... knitting a lot when I... have time, between... work and... my various Lost responsibilities."
"Oh. I wanted to talk to you about that!" He says as he was caught on surprise."I saw you drawing in the other day at the Crossroads Cafe. Are you some sort of fashion designer?" He asks looking really interested.
Nathania blinks. "I am," she says with a nod. "Can... I design... something... for you?"
"Actually, I'd love if you could teach me. You know, when I was a kid I tried to learn how to sew and do my own clothes with my granny, but my father and my uncles said it was a boy's thing and prohibited my granny to teach me." He says in a low voice as if it was a confession to a priest."Now that I'm here and back from There I promissed myself I'd never let anyone block me from learning things and doing whatever I want." He then pauses to check on the other Lost's body language."I'd love if you could take me as your apprentice."
Nathania smiles. "I'd be happy... to teach you. Sewing, knitting... even Hedgespinning." Because while player sucks at 'spinning, Nat's a master. Mistress. Whatever. "It's an... honor, Oberon."
"That is what I want to do! Hedgespinning clothes. Gowns and suits and classy stuff like that made of magical materials." He says."I mean, if that is a possibility. What would that cost me? The lessons, I mean."
Nathania considers him. "I usually... work in... favors, as my... Bishop work entails. However--why don't you... make me... something hedgespun as your... final project? Armor or... a gown?"
Oberon eyes get very bright at that."I'd love to hedgespin you a gown. A very pretty one, of course. It'd be an honor!" The Fairest says very excited."Maybe a gown with armor properties if that's what you want. I mean, in case you need so extra protection during a ball." He then grins.
"Hell," the dolly says in her slow voice, but with a bright grin, "that would be... awesome." She dances a bit.
"And I'll make a suit to me of the same material so we can go to the next ball together matching." Oberon says and glances at the oven to check on whatever is baking inside."Just tell me when and where you want me to be for our first class and I'll be there."
"Oh." Nat smiles, and she's happy. She is. But she's a little overwhelmed, too. "I've never... taught before. Let's... try for next week sometime? I already... have the perfect... Hollow."
"A Hollow? Interesting." He says and surprisinly, the oven bips."Hm. Just in time." The Fairest says and picks a glove to open the oven."Cookies." He says as he shows Nathania a tray of the said treats."I used organic products of Ian's place. And a few herbs too."
Nathania nods. "Sounds... good," she says with a smile. "I am... happy to teach. Just bear.... with me if... I fumble."
Oberon shakes his head as he wanders around to put the cookies into a proper plate and lands it in the counter."There is no need to worry. I never sewed anything so it'll be a really long process. Time enough to you get used to be a teacher and I, a proper student." He offers along with a gentle smile to the Winter coutier."Please serve yourself. And tell me if they're good." He points to the cookies.
Nathania walks over and takes up a cookie, blowing on it gently before taking a bite with her surprisingly strong pearl button teeth. "Oh, they're... delicious!" she says, once she's chewed and swallowed.
"Thanks." Oberon says with pride."If you want, I can take cookies to our first lesson so we can have a break and eat something at some point during the class. Cookies and orange juice. Or milk, if you prefer the classic combo." He picks a cookie himself and bites it.
Grinning, Nathania nods. "I have... tea at the... Hollow. But if you... bring cookies, I'll... make tea," she offers with a smile. "I think... you'll like... my Hollow."
"Really? How is it? I don't have a Hollow. And not sure if I'd have one one day." Oberon says after swallowing his cookie.
Oberon sage nods."I'm already excited." He comments and smiles brightly. Then, he goes around and picks an empty paper back to fill with cookies."Here take some. I'm going to make much more so all the residents can have a few cookies." He then offers the bag filled with cookies to Nathania leaving in the plate just a few.
"Aww," Nathania says, accepting the bag. "Thank... you for the... cookies. You don't... need to feed me... too many, though. I'll get fat," she says, and plucks at her plush sides.
"You can share it with others if you prefer. No hard feelings about that. Serious." The Fairest says and picks one more cookie."I wish I could make other stuff. Ting has to teach me how to make one of her marvelous cakes."
"I can teach... you some cooking. I bake, too, but... I think cooking is a staple," the blonde rag dolly offers with a smile before breaking a cookie in half. Then Nat pops a bite into her mouth.
"Two classes for free? Oh my. What can I say? Absolutely yes!" He says and offer another bright smile."You, Ting and I could team up to make treats to the next Lost gathering. Or even open a bakery!" He jokes.
"That would be cool," Nat says with a laugh, "But I'm.. so overworked already. I'd be the... financial partner." She grins. "I wouldn't mind! But wow."
"That's okay. It was more a silly idea than a real project." Oberon says flushing."Are our classes going to interrupt your other projects? If that's the case, I can wait."
Nathania shakes her head. "I will... make time for you." She smiles. "I want to."
"Thank you very much. I'll give my best to be your best student. You'll see." He confirms and smiles again. The Fairest is all smiles.
Nathania beams and opens her arms for a hug. Despite her Wintery affiliation, the dolly loves affection. "You can pay... me in hugs. And the gown. And a favor." She grins.
"I can do all that. Specially the hugs!" Oberon says and hugs her tightly. It's like a morning day of spring. Real spring. Warm, gentle and smell of flowers.
Nathania snugs and smiles. She smells like snow and is surrounded by the deep cold of a long, dark Winter night.
Oberon releases the doll gently and grins."About the favor, you can call me at any time. My number is in the board across the hall. Or you can come here and ask for it in person." He then glances at the outside through the window and bites his lower lip, hesitantly."Can I ask you a question?" He asks without taking his eyes from the landscape.
"Of course," Nathania says gently, tilting her head and frowning in concern. "Are.. you all right, Oberon?"
"Max told me I should tell Haruki the truth. For his own protection. His brother is a Lost too. A very new one. And you know, newcomers can make quiet a mess with their powers and stuff. But I'm not sure I should do it. We're just dating. He knows a lot of us already, though. I'm worried about him. Even if we don't get to the point of boyfriends." He comments in a low voice.
Nathania considers, chewing on that damn loose stitch in her bottom lip. "Did his... brother tell him?" she asks delicately. "You may... want to talk... to Itsuki." Ah, she's familiar with the twins.
"I tried. I told Itsuki he should come talk to me. Or any of us, the Waykeepers. In a subtle way, I mean. Haruki was there too so I could not be so open about it. But I don't think he got it. They had a little discussion. I think Haruki got jealous because he thought I was hitting his brother." He says flushing at the last part.
Nathania nods. "Okay. Well..." She thinks a moment. "Let me see. Itsuki's... really skittish and shy, but... I'm making.. some headway. Let me... talk to him." She smiles.
"Okay. Thank you very much for helping me dealing with that. I don't want to freak Haruki away. Some of us can be really, really scary to mortals. Like Cobalt. Or even Damion and Beau." The Fairest explains and then, takes a deep breath to let the subject go away.
Nathania smiles and nods, then pats his arm. "I can be... scary too," the high wyrd rag dolly reminds gently. "I hope I'm not. But I... am otherworldly." She frowns.
"I once changed the colors of a rose bouquet in front of him and said it was stage magic. Not sure if he believed me or not. It was a mistake, I know. I regret doing that. But he looks so happy when I do small tricks with Illusion." He says."I hope it doesn't scary him either."
Nathania considers. "I wouldn't... do it again. And if you tell him, either you... or Itsuki need... to ensorcel him." Nathania looks at him seriously.
"I know that. But I'll only do it as a last resource. I don't want him to know the truth about me. I want him to keep thinking I'm normal." Oberon says and then bites his lower lip again, looking a bit sad and a bit unsure.
Nathania nods, and moves to hug Oberon. "I get it," she says softly.
"Sometimes I think I should let Haruki go and get involved with another Lost. It'd be much more easy to everyone." He hugs Nathania back and shrugs."Sorry for opening up to you like this."
"It is," the Bishop says with a wry smile, "my job." Nathania smiles softly, then, and nods. "What do you think... would be better.... for your heart?"
"He's so fragile and defenseless. I feel responsible for him." Oberon whispers."And now he wants me to move with him and Itsuki to a big house with a garden. But I'm so afraid. I don't want to go. One Lost around him is enough. If Itsuki and I live with Haruki, it'll bring him more trouble." The Fairest looks sad."I don't want to be one of Them to him and force him into a world that is not his own."
"I don't think... that will happen, if you and... Itsuki take... reasonable precautions," Nathania says gently.
Oberon shrugs again."All I know is that I don't want to move with them. At least not right now. I like living here in the Wayhouse. I said Ava I'd be one of the caretakers."
"So tell Haruki... that you're... stuck in your lease... for another few months." Nathania shrugs. "A small lie... won't hurt."
The Flowering nods and takes another deep breath."I'm really sorry for throwing this all in you, Nattie. Really sorry." Then he goes around and serves himself a glass of water, sipping from it to calm down.
"It's all right," Nathania says again, smiling softly at Oberon. She snags a cookie from her bag and eats it, savoring the taste as she waits for him to talk more.
"I want to date other guys. But I think that will hurt his feelings. I want to date people he knows. People you know." He confess and he turns to look at Nattie for her reproval.
Nathania shrugs. "I was in... a polyamorous marriage. I sure as hell... can't comment, Oberon." She smiles at him reassuringly. "You have... to follow your heart."
Oberon grins shyly."Follow my heart, alright. I'll try to listen him more carefully." He pauses for a second and stares at the Bishop."Please, don't comment this with anyone."
Nathania shakes her head. "I won't. What is said... here, between us, is... sacrosanct--private."
"Thanks. I hope things get solved and both of us are fine." He then picks the last cookie in the plate."Was this a Bishop thing? Do I need to pay for it?"
Nathania grins crookedly. "Technically, it was." She watches him. "But... because you already... owe me so much, I'll... let it slide."
"Okay." Oberon murmurs after swallowing the last cookie bit and grins.
Nathania grins. "Next one, though," she says, waggling a finger and winking, "costs.... **two** favors."
Oberon laughs at that."I'll keep that in mind, Mistress Bishop. And I honestly hope I don't need it. No offense intended."
"Oh," Nat says with another grin and a nod. "Of course no... offense. No one wants... to need my services. And it's better.... that way."
Oberon grins shyly."Follow my heart, alright. I'll try to listen him more carefully." He pauses for a second and stares at the Bishop."Please, don't comment this with anyone."
Nathania shakes her head. "I won't. What is said... here, between us, is... sacrosanct--private."
"Thanks. I hope things get solved and both of us are fine." He then picks the last cookie in the plate."Was this a Bishop thing? Do I need to pay for it?"
Nathania grins crookedly. "Technically, it was." She watches him. "But... because you already... owe me so much, I'll... let it slide."
"Okay." Oberon murmurs after swallowing the last cookie bit and grins.
Nathania grins. "Next one, though," she says, waggling a finger and winking, "costs.... **two** favors."
Oberon laughs at that."I'll keep that in mind, Mistress Bishop. And I honestly hope I don't need it. No offense intended."
"Oh," Nat says with another grin and a nod. "Of course no... offense. No one wants... to need my services. And it's better.... that way."
"So. Sewing classes next week and caking classes when you get more free time in exchange of one favor and the prettiest gown this Freehold has ever saw." Oberon says using his fingers to count it all."Are we all set?"
Nathania nods. "We're set," the blonde rag dolly replies with a warm smile to Oberon.
| 