liesdontfindyou: (pb; shaved side)
CT ([personal profile] liesdontfindyou) wrote in [community profile] ph_logs2024-10-14 01:31 am

Please speak softly for they will hear us [OPEN]

Who: CT ([personal profile] liesdontfindyou) & you!
What: Catch-All for CT
When: Late September through October
Where: Various places around town
Warnings: Trust issues up the wazoo, nudity in the hot springs prompt, more specific warnings in headers whenever they come up



1. And they'll find out why we don't trust them [enforcer's office]

CT has always been a bit of a workaholic, but over the last few weeks those tendencies have escalated until those working at the Enforcer's office will find they encounter her there at all hours of the day—whether she's strictly meant to be on shift or not. She always gets her actual duties done, but outside of those she's spending a lot of time reading up on anything accessible (sometimes files, sometimes things she's checked out from the library) about the Leeds, the Pine Devil, the Demons, and refreshing her notes on the Cult of Nyarlathotep. She rarely remembers to eat and only seems to drink coffee with any regularity—though the keen eyed might notice her nose crinkling when she does, as if she doesn't really like it—which probably says something about her sleeping habits, too.

It's also impossible not to notice how... chilly, things can be when CT and Cerrit have unavoidable reasons to be in the same room. She avoids his office in a way she didn't used to and all essential communication is run through a third party. By the start of October, many otherworlders on the force will probably have an inkling as to why.

2. Speak up, dear, 'cause I cannot hear you [northwest hollow/around]

Part of CT's daily routine is a run, usually in the morning before she heads into work. It's grounding, a holdover from her life before, and it means she stays familiar with the area. The weather taking a turn for the cooler hasn't changed this whatsoever, nor does the early morning fog.

Even the sudden onsets of rain don't seem to deter her. In fact, more often than not, when the skies open she stops only to turn her face to the heavens and let the rain fall on her for a while.

3. I need to know why we don't trust them [hot springs]

Even CT can't keep going forever—if not for lack of trying. Occasionally, aware of an encroaching crash in a way that's less healthy and more treating herself like a faulty machine that needs troubleshooting measures, she has to take a break of some kind.

One way she does this is taking a trip out to the hot springs. There, she strips out of her practical clothes completely, makes sure they're actually put aside safely, and slips into the water. This is true regardless of if she arrives to an empty spring, or is joining someone in the water—a little nudity means nothing to her after years of co-ed military locker rooms and, though she does keep one knife in grabbing distance just in case, she's as close to relaxed as you'll ever see her as she lets the water warm her.

4. Where can I turn? 'Cause I need something more [oak & iron]

The second way she institutes her begrudgingly obligatory breaks is by going for drinks, on the rare nights that she actually leaves work on time. She favours sitting at the bar, where you can always sit beside her and she'll smile or nod an acknowledgement, but if the bar seats are full and your table isn't she might ask if the seat's free.

The atmosphere is good for her, in short bursts like this—reminiscent of a simpler time, of station bars. She dresses down for comfort and she's got a good handle on her own limits, drinking only enough to loosen up and maybe be just a little bit tipsy but no more. It's during these nights you're most likely to catch an unguarded smile, or a laugh, or a genuine conversation with less of a mask up.

5. Surrounded by uncertainty, I'm so unsure [Wildcard]

She can easily be found on patrols or in the library, too. Hit me or find me in the discord to plot/if you want a custom starter for anything.
maltesefalcon: (stoicism)

1.

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-14 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
Cerrit lets her avoid him. Lets her go cold and frosty. Works through middlemen--mostly Alex and Leon. But eventually, there's a day when they're alone in the office together and he gives her a long, quiet expectant look.

He's sure she could keep this up forever. But no one would benefit from it. And his tongue is now completely unbound.
theydrewfirstblood: (up{ small smile)

Oak & Iron

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-10-14 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"--fucking little feathered mongrel!"

Buk bukbuk. Buk? Bukbukbuk buk, buk buk...


If CT looks to one side, there's a chicken on one man's table, cheerfully clawing up a stack of papers with her feet and bending to peck and pull at the scraps with her beak. Nearby, one John Rambo, a man with the build of a soldier and the gentle smile of an infinitely patient man just stands, arms folded, watching her work while the man the table belongs to continues to curse and swear at both chicken and master.

"Do something with your beast, Rambo!"

John just shrugs, sidling up to the table.

"Do something about the way you're talking about Dahlia Leeds." he replies, then catches the chicken's eye and clicks his tongue a couple times.

Co, ever attentive to her beloved human father, struts a couple steps to one side, catches the man's glass in her beak, and tugs back to tip the glass and spill liquid all over her artfully crafted pile of scraps.

"You sonufa--"

John leans over, finally, to pick up Co and remove her from the angry man's reach.

"Good job, baby." John coos, kissing her feathery head.

Bukbukbuk--BAAAAK!

Co has spotted a New Person. Wriggling free from John, she flaps to land on CT's table, shuffles forward, and bends her head expectantly.

Hello, human. She is Co, worship at her altar with pets.

John hastily moves to try and grab her with a sheepish smile.

"Sorry, Co's kind of a diva. She thinks everyone she's never met has to be her friend." he explains, trying to pick her up and getting pecked at for his trouble.

BEGONE, FATHER. SHE IS BUSY ACQUIRING A NEW HUMAN FOR HER COLLECTION OF DEVOTEES.
maltesefalcon: (stoicism)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 12:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes, Constance, there are things we need to talk about."

While his tone is so coolly neutral, without inching into frosty or outright threatening, he's being quite deliberate in using the name the girl with the purple hair had given him. It's not the subtlest way to underline he's not just here to take heat himself.
maltesefalcon: (pinch)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 12:55 am (UTC)(link)
"A woman with hair colored purple. She had a lot to say about you."

Cerrit's hands rest on his desk, a very open posture. He's at ease here, even if there's a tension between them, like two players in chess.
maltesefalcon: (crested)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
"She told me you're a spy and a traitor, that you dropped a bomb on your own team, and that you have no concept of privacy." He clicks his beak quietly. "I told her outside of the bomb, that's sort of why I hired you."
maltesefalcon: (intimidation check)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you for clarifying." He believes her. All other things taken in account, he completely believes her. "CT, I don't think less of you, hearing what I did from this 'South Dakota'. I know you're a truth-seeker, cunning and daring. And I know that's why you're still so pissed off at me. As of the gala, my contract with Aster has been fulfilled. I can answer any question you want to ask."
maltesefalcon: (perception check)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Which reasons why I did it are you talking about?"

He tilts his head to one side, looking at her calmly. She can be frustrated. He's not really allowed to have emotions during this one. He must play the civilized game about everything.
maltesefalcon: (regal eagle)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
"The affection plays a part, but when I made the deal, it wasn't for her sake. Aster forbade me from sharing any information about the Leeds family with anyone who didn't know it. At the time, I hadn't yet realized she was Aster's daughter. That Japhet was a cultist, dedicated to Aster, and Dahlia was only born to bring people pain because Japhet couldn't keep his promises."

He tilts his head to one side. "Why was Henry so devout a monster hunter? Why was Jasper targeted by a demon? Why did Jonah try to run away from the island? The Leeds' family misfortune was all due to Japhet's greed, and where it led. She didn't choose to be born into this mess."
maltesefalcon: (stoicism)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 03:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Find any magic user or artifact that can help you verify that I'm not lying, and I'll subject myself to it. As for my feelings...CT, that's part of why I want you here. I know your moral compass is strong. I know that the others will reach their conclusions about me--Kilbride already did; that's why I have this office. But I feel better knowing someone is watching me to make sure I don't screw everyone over. That I'm not just off the hook."
maltesefalcon: (stoicism)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-15 09:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"What would it take, for what you do to feel worthwhile?"

He sees the stress getting to her, but as he's the cause of much of it, he isn't sure he can help her.
theydrewfirstblood: (smile{ just a little one)

[personal profile] theydrewfirstblood 2024-10-16 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Buk! Buk buk buk.

Co shuffles forward another step, bending her head lower. Can you not reach, New Human?

John laughs, leaning over to scritch the top of her head with one finger.

"Yeah, they do--case in point." he replies, leaning over to get his face within an inch of Co's head.

"Hey. Not everyone knows how to handle you, baby." he admonishes softly, gently. "Be nice 'fore you throw a tantrum, okay? Show new friends what a nice girl you are."

Co lifts her head, resting her beak against the side of John's nose for a long moment. Chicken kiss.

After about five seconds of this, Co scuffles forward one more step, then settles down and just looks up at the new lady placidly.

Buk? Buk buk...buk?

John huffs a quiet laugh, then reaches out to scritch the top of her head with one finger again, glancing at the woman in silent communion.

This is how it's done. It's totally optional.

And, if she chooses not to pet, John will pick Co up and tuck her against his chest. Otherwise, any pets will be met with closed eyes and silence, followed by a very careful touch of beak to fingers for another chicken kiss.
maltesefalcon: (regal eagle)

[personal profile] maltesefalcon 2024-10-17 03:42 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. I need to go home and face the fact that my best friends released two primordial titans on the world and crashed the flying city we're from."

His desire to do that is also a Thing. Watson hasn't managed to convince him to stay, and they've been avoiding talking about a lot of it since Watson showed up at the Visitor Center.
makesrocksfloat: ('cause it's not going to stop)

4.

[personal profile] makesrocksfloat 2024-10-17 01:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Rey was still trying to get her bearings. A near death experience? At the other world? It seemed nearly impossible, what they were put through was easy in comparison to an average day in Jakku. But Jakku was feeling further and further behind herself as she acclimated herself to one world, now another.

She wondered, would she ever go home again?

While she was trying to get used to things, she was pleased to find a pub like the one from the world she'd left, figuring that while she was trying to meet the locals and maybe make a friend, she could have a drink. One single drink. A Moscow mule without the vodka.

Rey set next to a young woman, smiling almost shyly as she slid into the seat. It couldn't hurt to be friendly, right? So she smiled and said "Hi, I'm Rey. I'm getting used to things. Really, really trying to get used to things. Have you been here long?"

Page 1 of 4