August Catch-All

[scarsnstripes]

▶ WHO: Atsushi Nakajima & Open
▶ WHAT: August Catch-All
▶ WHEN: Throughout August
▶ WHERE: Various locations
▶ WARNINGS: Some unwanted flirting/harassment mention in prompt 2, kissing/intimacy in certain threads.

Cordis moon - Day 1
[Atsushi's getting used to Cordis by now. It's still a bit of a pain to be even more hungry than usual, but there were some nice things, too. Like lazing around in bed in the morning, curling up in the blankets, a self-indulgent languor of drowsy warmth. His stomach will probably start protesting soon, but until then...

The first day of Cordis mostly consists of Atsushi feeling extra cuddly, sleeping in and even offering hugs freely to friends and familiar faces. There's that ever present hint of pheromones in the air, Atsushi's own like a hint of ozone, cool and clear, tempting like crisp night air.]

Cordis moon - Day 2
[Unfortunately, while he's fine the first day, the second he ends up sleeping in until noon... on a work day, at that. He rushes into work, more than a little panicked, and gets scolded by his boss for the unannounced lateness. But a frantic Atsushi means an anxious Atsushi, and he's dropping things his entire shift, flustered, stammering apologies to customers who come in.

However, that also means he's not regulating his pheromones at all. A handful of customers get flirtatious, and when one tries to touch... well, he ends up shoving the man into a shelf, causing quite a mess.]

Day 2 - part 2
[The end result is Atsushi, facedown on the counter of a nearby place similar to an izakaya in Level 3 Caihong, a steaming bowl of noodles nearby as he mourns his once-job, with several empty bowls nearby making it clear he has been here quite awhile eating his way through his own dejection.
He knows he's got more than enough savings to last him for months, but being jobless was...]

I can't believe this... Yesterday was so great, so why...?

[His ears droop low, pressing against his skull, a perfect picture of misery. Maybe he could use some company to cheer him up?]

Wildcard

[Will probably add more prompts as the month continues, but overall? Hit me up for fun Cordis antics! I am game for plotting just about anything, honestly. CR meme plotting comment is here, as are his permissions, open to moonlacing or similar shenanigans if threads go that way!]

Comments

Day 1

[tigerpoet]

[Cordis isn't so bad. Atsushi understands why his other half wanted to keep him from experiencing it, and he's grateful, but this is something he can handle.

It helps that he knows a fellow Cordis who's going to want to cuddle. When this Atsushi arrives at the other's home, he wastes no time in - okay, he takes his outdoor shoes off first, but then he wastes no time in draping himself over Atsushi.]

Thank you for having me.

[His own pheromones are soft and sweet with a hint of spice beneath.]

[scarsnstripes]

[He could certainly understand having some uncertainty about it, but Cordis had it's good points as much as it had it's bad ones. For example, things like this. Atsushi's smiling happily when the other approaches and drapes himself over him, wrapping his arms around him with a tiny noise of contentment. He can't help but breath in a little, taking in his scent. He smelled good.]

Thanks for coming. I thought having company on the first day of Cordis would be good for both of us, really.

[He can't quite resist nuzzling a little into Atsushi's shoulder, ears flicking lightly.]

[tigerpoet]

It's much appreciated. I'm still getting used to the effects myself.

[Atsushi takes the other Atsushi's hand to try to tug him to a couch or a bed or pile of blankets. Somewhere more suited for lots of cuddling.]

day 2 - part 2

[dereban]

[ . . . um.

this most certainly is a sight to behold and it's earnestly just a little worrying. which is obvious in the concern in her eyes, matched with the rather pitiful smile that she wears, especially when she walks into this.

should she do something.

hm. ]

Are you alright?

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi is... well. He looks quite pathetic, really. He's draped over the counter like he's just straight up deflated there, and when he shifts just enough to look at Inaba he doesn't even lift his head.

His expression is one of absolute misery.]

...I got fired.

[dereban]

[ oh.

oh.

that's enough to frown a little deeply and just. decides to reach out to pat his head. here you go, Atsushi, have some pitiful headpats. ]

Do you want to talk about what happened or do you want a distraction?

Day 2-2

[saigawa]

[Living in Caihong means Kashuu tends to walk in the area first whenever he left the teahouse for anywhere. Especially after yesterday's, erm, surprise. As he casually stroll through, he comes across an izakaya-like place. And a guy who seems to be drowning his sorrow in noodles?

Erm. He's tempted to just ignore him, but he notice he seems familiar.]

Hey... Isn't that a lot to eat?

[scarsnstripes]

[Listen, some people use drink, Atsushi uses comfort food. Don't judge his life choices... or do, because really, he looks downright pathetic right now.

His voice is muffled into the countertop of the bar, he doesn't even bother moving to respond.]

No, not really. I always eat more during Cordis, and today was terrible.

[saigawa]

[He looks so pathetic, it's enough to tug at his cold, steel heart.

... No, he's actually a softie. Kashuu sit down next to Atsushi.]

Oh? What happened today?

[Maybe this guy need to complain about it. Or eat something else, like sweets.]

day 1!!

[hoasen]

[It's Cordis moon, so she's feeling the freedom of being out of a month where she was oddly fox-blessed, and was stretching as she walked through the apartment blocks. It was then she spots Atsushi. And again, notices that with his pheromones hitting her and relaxing her to the point where she could be more affectionate with him, she does accept his offer to hug.

So she steps closer to his arms.]

You're in a good mood.

Re: day 1!!

[scarsnstripes]

It's a good day.

[Said as if that's all the explanation he needs, and maybe it is. He wraps his arms around Sen with a happy smile, his tail quick to tuck around her almost immediately.

She always felt so good to hug...]

What about you?

Day 3 IDWIW

[theartofdying]

[That had been some state Atsushi had been in when he'd come home the night before, hadn't it? Honestly, Dazai even felt a little bad about it. It seemed Atsushi wasn't really happy--or, no, he was insecure without a job. It had only taken a short time for him to coax the story out of him, and to his credit, he'd managed to avoid laughing, only stripped out of his host clothes and climbed into bed with Atsushi, soothing him to sleep. It's possible for even him to recognize when someone just needs to be cared for, after all--at least, for certain people, and he's gotten to know Atsushi very well these last few months, hasn't he?

But Dazai, of course, can't do anything by halves, and that includes nice gestures. Which means that early that morning, he slips from bed, leaving Atsushi cuddling that giant stuffed crab, and comes back with a tray loaded with all kinds of breakfast foods: a stack of pancakes, bowls of fruit, everything he thinks Atsushi might like. He may have gone grocery shopping, too. What? It's not that he can't cook, it's just that he's usually too lazy to make the effort.

Setting the tray at the foot of the bed, carefully out of the way where it can't be knocked over, Dazai leans over, taking a moment to watch Atsushi sleep, before finally bending over and pressing a kiss to his forehead and murmuring softly.]

Atsushi-kun~ Are you hungry?

[scarsnstripes]

['Insecure' was a good word for it... not that it was entirely rooted in reality, either. Both he and Dazai had plenty of Chroma saved up, more than enough to live off of for months without adding to it, and they both moonlaced enough that there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

But there was always that tiny part of Atsushi that whispered anxious thoughts and what-ifs, that asked him if he was really alright with living off of savings. It was the same reason he'd gotten a job in the first place: Was he really alright trusting that the generosity of Lunatia wouldn't run out?

And maybe a tiny part of him was just mortified, because of how it had happened.

Dazai had been a big help, his presence allowing him to sink off to slumber after a good while clinging, and Atsushi's sleeping deeply for once come morning, probably exhausted by all the stress of yesterday. He's got his arms wrapped around that stuffed crab and his face half buried in Dazai's pillow, him being a comfort to Atsushi even in his absence.

He mumbles a little into the fabric, a soft questioning noise even though he's reluctant to rouse. But he recognizes that voice, that touch--]

'Zai....?

Day 2 - part 2

[amodelidol]

[During the cordis moon, Makoto felt different. He stayed in bed all day, he didn't feel like moving from the sheets, until he couldn't ignore his stomach any longer. Makoto got up, got dressed and walked around in search of some food. During his search he ended up on the third floor and saw the bowls around someone. When Makoto walked inside and sat next to him, he saw the miserable looked on his face and it worried him. The cat ears on his head twitched along with his tail as he looked over at him.]

Um, are you okay? Want to talk about it?

Re: Day 2 - part 2

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi shifts slightly from where he's facedown on the countertop, taking a few moments to finally look up at Makoto. He looks... well, definitely pathetic, striped cat ears drooped against his skull and tail tucked around his waist, expression miserable.]

It's been a really, really bad day.

day 2

[graftage]

Bad day?

[This is...]

[This has to be...?]

[Oh boy. He's glad Fitzgerald isn't here, but seeing this, now he's really glad Fitzgerald isn't here.]

[He approaches from the side, hands in his pockets as he looks over the young man, the bowls.]

Looks like you're eating your own sorrows, there.

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi doesn't recognize the voice, at first. They've only met once, and while it was more than enough to make an impression, it had been months and months ago for him. His face is pressed into the counter, an abject picture of misery, so Steinbeck won't get recognized... just yet.]

Very bad. I got fired from my job today.

[Said in a whine as he shifts his head just enough to look at whoever's speaking.

Wait for it--]

Sad Eating || Comforting Time Wildcard

[menphina]

Firing you for something that stupid is just stupid, anyroad.

[ There's an equally long pile of dishes next to her, but she doesn't look quite so troubled. She has a stomach that can match ten men, after all. Atsushi's seemed pretty down about things, and she reaches over to place a hand in his hair, stroking the strands back. ]

But that throw was pretty great. Seems like you took that training seriously after all, aye?

[ Hey, if someone defends themselves? She's going to be supportive of it. She continues to stroke his hair back as her tail sways behind her. ]

You know, if I didn't like you so much, I'd be sad you're not paying attention to how cute I look today!

[ She's teasing him, she doesn't look any different today, but she IS wearing a new flower barette in her hair, with glittery gems! ]

[scarsnstripes]

I threw a customer, though... not to mention damaged a lot of stock doing so. I'll be lucky if I get a final paycheck.

[Said in a whine, but... he does agree with her, deep inside. The man had been rude and completely out of line, and while Atsushi liked to think he preferred to resolve things with words, well...]

...Do you really think it's okay? That I did that?

[He leans into the stroking hand in his hair, feline ears a little droopy and tail definitely betraying his sour mood. The praise feels good after the crappy day he's had, honestly. He's self-depreciating.]

....And you say that as if you're not beautiful everyday, Megumi-san.

[Said with complete honesty.]

day 2 part 2

[discerp]

[oh boy.

Poor Atsushi. Although upon seeing the man Mikan had been rather frantic, wanting to immediately turn on heel and run off in the other direction. The last time they'd spoken had been... Well, really too long ago. And it had been an awkward confession of the terrible things she'd done, and with Junko's voice like poisoned honey in her ear, telling her that Atsushi hadn't accepted it, that he hated her, was disgusted by her...

Okay maybe Junko hadn't said quite all that, but she'd said enough and Mikan's brain could supply the rest.

And after a point, avoiding him had been less about that and more about being too embarrassed that it'd been so long since they'd talked that she couldn't bring herself to talk again.

But he looks so sad bemoaning his fate like that. She chews on her bottom lip, twists her fingers around each other, and eyes the bowls with a concerned furrowing of her brows]

...I-If you keep eating all of these, i-it'll be bad for your health, you know...

[scarsnstripes]

[Meanwhile Atsushi had thought that maybe, Mikan had made better friends. Maybe she just didn't want to spend as much time with him anymore. And pressuring her about it... he didn't want to do that, not when he cared about her comfort so much more than his own.

...They're really both such a mess.

Still, a familiar voice is more than welcome right now, and when Atsushi shifts enough so he's no longer facedown in the countertop, he looks a little watery-eyed at the sight of her, striped cat ears pricking up in surprise. Watery-eyed and relieved.]

...I-I... sorry, I just... it's been a really bad day, Mikan-san... Would you like some?

[Because that totally makes up for the fact he ate like seven bowls before she arrived. Totally.

Really, he just wants her to stay.]

day 2, part 2

[peerlesscucumber]

[ Shen Qingqiu by now has grown resigned to several facts. One of them includes his wings, which while they don't always manifest, let alone every day of the Cordis moon cycle (or three moons, as it were), manage to be a massive inconvenience when they do manifest.

Which is to say, a tall man with massive white wings which extend at their joint much higher than his head, carefully ducks and enters the door to the Caihong version of an izakaya, making his way carefully through until he finds a likely spot, next to...

... One of the more dejected looking people he's seen lately. Sitting at the counter is his only real choice without making several awkward wing adjustments, so while he settles himself into a backless stool, he glances over at the young man as he speaks. A Moonblessed, he can see, for the lack of earmarks of a Prismal, and for a moment he's tempted to reach out and pat his back.

He doesn't. They're strangers for one, and for another, he's antsy about being touched while he has massive, sensitive owl wings, and while this guy doesn't, he's clearly Cordis blessed just like Shen Qingqiu. ]

You cut a sad figure, draped like this.

[ Meanwhile, he'll examine the menu written up on high and look at a few other people served in here, ignoring any that might be staring their way. It's hard to miss giant, fluffy white wings, and Shen Qingqiu is well aware of the tendency for Prismals to reach out and touch them without thinking about it, like he's too big a tempting target (between those wings and his calming, welcoming, attracting pheromones) to not give in to touching. ]

What's happened to bring your mood so low?

[scarsnstripes]

[Honestly, Atsushi didn't often see Moonblessed with wings. It seemed to be a rarer trait, for whatever reason. Though, maybe if he understood Shen Qingqiu's difficulties, he might have a better idea of why that was a good thing.

As it stands, he's so focused on his own issues at the moment that he doesn't even raise his head until the man finally speaks up, and when he does the striped cat ears atop his head prick up before he pushes himself up on his elbows, a look of confusion and surprise on his face.

He does look a mess though. His already uneven hair is at an even odder angle, like he's had his face pressed against the countertop for a while. And his tail is tucked low, curling against one of his legs, a perfect image of a cat that's feeling dejected.

His eyes are more gold than their usual mix with violet today, but the cat-slit pupils do nothing to hide the way his eyes glance over the other man's wings for a long moment. They were beautiful...]

Ah... I was just...

[He glances away after a moment, embarrassed for staring and for the question itself. But the man seemed... nice, honestly. Maybe it was his demeanor, or maybe it was his scent. Atsushi finds himself talking in spite of his embarrassment.]

...I got fired today.

Cordis moon - Day 2

[onerous]

[Yuri has, thankfully, only ever been minorly effected by the cordis moon so far. This month has gone only a little step further, possibly in response to the fact she isn't like...actively trying to dieviacrystalization now, since the introduction of the bracelet meant she could freely moonlace without much fear.

The drain on her most days is barely noticeable now since she doesn't use her abilities much with the bracelet on. The fox ears on her head are new and mostly just embarrassing to her. She keeps them firmly under a hat now, but the white color has been seeping into her hair, giving it a more orange-ish sheen, like a sunset.

(It's depressingly thematically appropriate and she doesn't appreciate the irony that would only make sense to her and her mountain home and its association with sunsets. Dammit.)

Unfortunately the drain is much more noticeable on days she forgets her bracelet in a rush, so right now she's in a bit of a daze as she wanders. She just wants to get in, get some rice to make later, and get out. It should be quick and easy and involve touching no one.

It should not involve a man getting shoved into a shelf, knocking said shelf over, and Yuri not quite fast enough to avoid hen the man stumbles into her as well.

Down she goes with a yelp, cringing as items land around her.

Probably the worst part of this is that she doesn't get angry or even upset. After just sitting there for a few seconds she just...quietly begins picking things up to put them away...]

[scarsnstripes]

[Atsushi really hadn't meant to throw him near Yuri... or throw the man at all really. All he'd been trying to do was straighten up the shelves, facing the stock so it's nice and neat in between customers, and the man had decided to follow him about the store, attempting to flirt while he worked.

And then attempting to touch.

He'd panicked, ultimately. His eyes are wide in horror as he stares at the mess he's made, and the woman who'd gotten caught in the mess.]

I-I... Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry! Are you alright? I didn't mean--

[He's stumbling over, rushing, babbling apologies and clearly panicked as he tries to smooth things over with the irate customer (which doesn't go well at all) and help the young woman he'd unintentionally bowled over.]