Halloween - Open

[suitsahero]

((OOC: Since a few people mentioned this, I thought I'd write one starter and whoever wants can tag in. This is one of my favorite sorts of set-ups so I don't think I'll get tired of playing it over and over if that's how this shakes out. I've tried to leave a variety of actual starting states or reasons to be there open as well.))

Getting up to the castle on purpose is difficult.

It's difficult to get to the bustling town at the base of the mountain. Transport is spotty at the best of times, mountain passes obscured by snow and ice most of the time. It's doable in the spring and summer, but the town is almost completely isolated in the fall and winter. Plenty of people make the journey, though, to enjoy the vistas, the peace and quiet through the winters, or just the ability to eke out a simple living, far from other stresses. The town is something of a tourist destination, both for those reasons and to climb a separate peak from the one with the castle on it. People go missing in the snows most years, but it's not considered dangerous beyond that, and everyone is warned extensively not to go wandering outside of the known routes or without a guide.

Nature is beautiful, but also deadly. It is nothing to be overly concerned about, beyond making sure people know how to be safe.

The people who actually live in the town are a bit superstitious, though, as only people living in relative isolation and in tension with a hostile environment can be. Which provides the next obstacle to getting up the mountain to the castle: no one is willing to take you. Stories vary on what lives up in the castle depending on who you talk to. A monster, a magician, an evil spirit, or just a strange artist who wants to be left alone. No one seems to agree on what is up in the tower, but everyone agrees that you don't go up there, you don't bother whoever, or whatever, it is. People don't come back or maybe people do come back but they're different, strange, don't remember things, or maybe no one has ever been up there at all.

And then, if you happen to still be painfully curious, particularly when you can clearly see lights moving through the castle in the evenings, the way up to the castle is also treacherous, requires skill and luck just to follow the unkept trail through the snow and rocks and trees, the way turned steep and winding through disuse. And the villagers also say there are wolves, though you've never seen any.

On the other hand, it is remarkably easy to find the castle on accident.

Nothing about it is magically easier, but if you throw safety to the wind, if your tent is ripped open by falling snows or you lose a trail you're supposed to be on, suddenly difficult and dangerous obstacles become your means of survival and climbing up to the castle doesn't seem like a journey to be embarked upon with caution but a last, desperate act of someone who doesn't want to freeze to death in the snows. Surely whatever is waiting there is better than that. Surely.

And what of those who fail? Who go out into the wilds only to succumb to the elements?

Well, no eyes and ears can be everywhere, but some few who do have their journeys set to end in the most final way possible might find themselves waking in a warm bed, instead, fire blazing merrily in a hearth. Are you lucky to have survived or not? Only time will tell...

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[suitsahero]

It seems to take forever before the door is thrown open and maybe Mikh'tan would rather it hadn't, aside from the warmer air that comes out. There's a gaunt man on the other side, sallow faced and sour looking, as near to a walking corpse as Mikh'tan has ever seen, who looks at the young man as though he were a piece of lint to be picked off a garment,

"The master is busy. Go away," he intones and he's halfway to closing the door on him before there's another voice,

"Oh, let him in, Hodges, he'll freeze to death, else. Have you not seen the weather?"

"As you wish, sir," there's no difference in tone, the man might as well be an automaton, but he (Hodges?) stands aside so that Mikh'tan can come in. "The parlor is that way. Don't wander," he points and then works to close and bar the door.

[darlingdatura]

Mikka is too cold, reflexes dulled too much to react in time to retort promptly, an exhausted little sob of protest slipping from him at the same time the other spoke. Stalling the doorman from shutting him out to die in the cold, the small Keeper wastes no time in accepting that small favor and ducking inside. Even if he edges a bit away from Hodges, slightly unsettled by the strange man.

The directions get a small nod from him, and he stomps what snow he can from boots and coat, both to get the blood flowing a bit better, as well as to try and avoid tracking it all over his savior's home before trudging towards the parlor.

[suitsahero]

"Fetch him something warm to drink," the voice floats through again, getting louder as Mikka gets closer to the parlor, "He's probably half-icicle."

"Yes, sir," comes from somewhere behind, the sound of the older man moving off deeper into the castle.

It might be somewhat surprising to discover the parlor seems cozy, a fire merrily in the hearth, considering the assertion that guests were unwelcome here. It might be more surprising to discover that the "monster" in the castle, the "creature" everyone down in the village seems so afraid of, is a tall, attractive man with an equally surprising smile. He's a bit pale, like someone suffering from a prolonged illness, but he seem sprightly enough at the moment, standing near the fire as though to pick up some of it's warmth, himself.

"Come in, welcome! You can set your coat by the fire to dry. Oh, but you're soaked to the skin, you poor thing. Here, take off whatever you're comfortable with and come sit by the fire. You'll feel better in no time." It's such a difference from the man at the door (and so different from the picture painted by the villagers) that it's likely almost surreal.

[darlingdatura]

It was such a drastic difference, between the tall, pale man, and the way he was described that Mikka could only assume that the townsfolk had run into his apparent manservant. That man, odd and intimidating as he was, he could believe being turned into the 'monster in the castle' by overactive imaginations. But this man, ill though he might be seemed too friendly for such a thing.

Muddled by cold as he still was, the logic of this made sense, the shivering Miqo'te gave a shaky nod, not yet trusting himself to be able to speak past chattering teeth, and did as he was bid, peeling out of the heavy coat and layers that had likely ensured he'd survive to make it to this unlikely haven. Down to a thin woolen shirt and pants, he sank into one of the chairs near the fire, ears finally lifting from their pin against his hair slightly as he held hands out towards the radiant warmth of the flames, glancing at his savior once he felt a bit more like himself.

"T-thank you sir," Voice still a bit raw from the cold, but at least words were possible. "I don't know how I wound up so miserably off-trail, but there's n-no way I would have lasted much longer out there-"

[suitsahero]

"Here, this will help," there's a soft blanket wound around Mikka's shoulders a moment later, the man tucking it around him with deft hands, "The mountains are dangerous alone. It's a wonder you didn't freeze to death before you got here, to say nothing of the wolves. But we'll get you nice and warm again in no time, don't worry."

As though on cue, Hodges comes back in with a cup of something steaming that Mikka would soon learn was hot chocolate, thick and rich. The man takes it from Hodges and hands it to Mikka personally,

"Here you go, a good first step to bringing some color back in your cheeks. Hodges, would you see about preparing a room for our guest? He certainly can't go back down the mountain tonight."

"If you are sure that is wise, sir."

[darlingdatura]

"Y-yes, I think I can count myself lucky that I didn't run into any of the local wildlife..." A soft murmured thanks for the blanket offered, Mikka aware of the quiver of exhaustion that was stealing over his limbs as adrenaline was starting to ebb. The cocoa was accepted gratefully, the little Miqo'te glad for the warmth of the mug between his hands

"You really are too kind though," He commented with a thin little smile, pausing only to take a sip of the drink, only just avoiding purring at the heat of the rich cocoa. Hodges seemed odd but... his companion was kind. Maybe he was just wary of strangers, given the apparent illness. "Does my savior have a name?"

[suitsahero]

"Not at all. It's my pleasure," there's something about the word pleasure, not quite lecherous but definitely overly warm, "It's the least I could do for someone lost in the cold. The village is so far, after all. I'd be remiss to not offer whatever hospitality is within my ability to offer."

"Haurchefant," he says, after a moment, definitely an older name in this area, one that hadn't been in favor for a long time, "And who might my delightful guest be?"

[darlingdatura]

Mikka was never really one to realize flirting. But that warmth to Haurchefant's tone was noticed, and he hoped the flush to pale cheeks would be attributed to the warmth of the blankets and cocoa more than anything. A shy smile won still though, tail twitching faintly.

"I'll have to think of some way to repay you even still," The other's name was indeed odd. Old-fashioned to say the least. Maybe a family name- with a castle like this, such traditions wouldn't be surprising. "It is nice to meet you though. I'm Mikh'tan, though m-my friends call me Mikka. If you'd like, I mean."

[suitsahero]

"Nonsense, no payment is necessary," even he isn't quite so crass as to take that opening... at least not right away. Perhaps after this unexpected guest was a bit more comfortable... But while he wouldn't quite walk through that door, there were others he would gladly do so,

"Mikka, then," he looks and sounds just delighted, "Or at least, I should hope we might be friendly enough I could call you so. You should stay at least a day or two, regardless, until my servants can see what to make of the path after the blizzard. And I do hope we'd become friends in that time."

[darlingdatura]

Mikka of course was ignorant to the potential for anything in his commentary to be fair. Tired smile brightening a bit at Haurchefant's kind response, nodding at the idea that he should stay. It certainly made sense to him, with how nasty the weather had turned.

"I certainly can't argue with such a sensible and generous offer." He hummed, snuggling down into the blanket a bit as the warmth was seeping into him, feeling much better for being out of the cold and with such a surprisingly genial host. "I'm sure in the meanwhile we'll be fast friends."

[suitsahero]

"I hope so. I so rarely get visitors," everything about him sounds so sincere, but then why was Hodges so adamant that he didn't want to be disturbed? It's probably a little hard to think about when he's so warm and comfortable and Haurchefant is being so nice. "Perhaps you could even stay a little longer?"

There's something so longing about the last, like he's lonely beyond words.

[darlingdatura]

Mikka wasn't generally a suspicious person. Tended to take people at their word, and so he saw nothing especially strange here. As muddled as he was at the moment, distracted by his kindly host, it was so very easy just to excuse it as Hodges being overprotective. Haurchefant looked like so pale it was likely he fell ill quite easily, and so far up the mountain it wasn't like help was easy to get to.

And he's entirely susceptible to that tone of longing. Remembered his own youth, how lonely he'd been, how lonely he still so often was and his smile gentled, something sweet and reassuring to it. "Well I can't say I have anywhere pressing to be. If you've a want to put up with a guest who am I to deny you that wish?"

[suitsahero]

"Splendid!" he says it like Mikka hung the stars just for him, smile particularly bright for a moment.

Or perhaps it's really that it's just a smile with more teeth.

"I want to hear all about your travels. Where you've been and how you came to be here, and where you're thinking of going next. Everything. You seem like someone who would have a few good ones. And surely we should send some word down the mountain to your travelling companions as soon as the storm lets up just enough, to let them know where you are. I wouldn't want anyone to worry."

Innocent enough. Unless there's no one who'll be looking for him, of course.

[darlingdatura]

Mikka, unfortunately was far too dazzled by the sunshine in that smile to realize the edges that lurked just past the shine.

Oh well.

"I haven't been travelling long, so I'm not sure how entertaining my tales may be, but I'll be happy to share them." The Miqo'te admitted, his own smile shifting to something sheepish. "But there's no need to put anyone out like that... I've been travelling on my own."

[suitsahero]

"All alone and up in the mountains? Then I'm even more glad you've found your way to my door," it's just concern, of course, nothing further. He wouldn't have wanted Mikka to freeze to death all alone.

And he truly wouldn't have. Haurchefant is genuinely glad to have him here, genuinely does find the young man charming and is glad to have company. It makes the words ring true, makes it easier to ignore some of the other potential meanings, even if Mikka had been looking for them. He wants him here and is happy he is here.

He wants to keep him here.

"And I'm sure your tales will be as lovely as you are. It's been a long time since I've seen anything but these mountains. Any word at all from outside them is a gift," he laughs softly, shaking his head, "Ah, but listen to me, like a child trying to wheedle out a tale when really we ought to get you into a warm bed. Surely I can wait until you've recovered from your ordeal before I ply you for stories."

[darlingdatura]

Oh, if only Mikka was a bit more cautious. A bit more aware of the ways people might hide their true motives behind kindness. But he wasn't, quite taken with the sweet sort of charm of his host, trying to pretend that he wasn't flushing an even brighter pink at the almost casual compliment of how lovely he was.

"I'll happily share all the stories I have," He assured Haurchefant with a soft, faint little laugh of his own in reply. "But... I do think a bit of rest might be a wise choice first."

[suitsahero]

"Of course, of course. Here, let me show you the way," he offers his hand in getting up out of the chair, and if perhaps Mikka ends up a bit closer than normal propriety might allow, it's surely an accident. Haurchefant's hands are cold, but the gesture gives the impression of warmth and if there's no protest, he'll tuck Mikka's hand in the crook of his arm where the chill is less noticeable and lead him out of the sitting room as though Mikka were a noblewoman at a ball.

Any protest or pulling away at all is allowed and met with a soft smile, but if Mikka isn't stopping him, Haurchefant won't hesitate to lead him all the way to the bedroom like that.

"I hope it's to your liking. It's been a while since we've had guests." Haurchefant pushes the door open and draws him into the room a bit, so he can look around.

The room is large enough to feel spacious but small enough to be cozy all the same, with a fireplace heating the room at the moment and a large bed, piled high with pillows and blankets. It seems to be a place designed to inspire comfort and, for a desolate castle with a reclusive lord, seems even more surprising.

[darlingdatura]

"O-oh, thank you." Mikka murmured as he accepted the hand up. Telling himself that it was just the fact that he was still feeling a bit unsteady on his feet that he wasn't putting distance between them, but the flush to his face as his fingers curled reflexively against Haurchefant's arm certainly belied that handily. Entirely weak to this sort of charming, sweet attention, he cast a shy smile towards his companion, letting himself be led along.

"It looks so cozy," He hummed, peering around the room. If Haurchefant was anyone else the welcoming comfort of the room would indeed be odd, but the man, strange as he was, seemed exactly the sort to keep his guest rooms so nice even with the idea of how little use they might get. "I really do appreciate this."

[suitsahero]

"Of course," he says again, with a small bow, "I hope you have a good rest."

And Haurchefant leaves and Mikka gets ready for bed and has a good night's sleep, will wake feeling refreshed but lazy, as though he's slept in incredibly late, limbs heavy for some reason, a bit tired still but in a good way. And that's... good. Of course. That's the memory that will keep, when he fully wakes up. That Haurchefant left, that he got ready for bed on his own. But in the moment just before he wakes up, there's another memory, dream-like, over top of that.

Something about the firelight catches in Haurchefant's eyes and he's saying something, but the words slide completely out of memory. It must be something reassuring, though, because it makes Mikka relax, smile a little. And then he's crossing over and tipping his head back ever so gently and leaning in, like he's going to kiss him. Haurchefant's mouth drops to his neck, instead, and there's a surprisingly heated kiss placed there, the scrape of teeth like a lover might, and then pain, bright and sharp, that dulls quickly to a low pulse, mixed with a strange, heady kind of pleasure.

[darlingdatura]

It was such a strange memory. Surely a dream, it was so odd, so hazy that it couldn't be anything else to say nothing of what happened. So easy to excuse as some wild thing dredged up by the exhaustion of such a long, harrowing day. Even if the sensation of lips against skin was something he couldn't possibly know the reality of, or that odd, almost phantom memory of pleasure that came after the flash of pain that he'd found himself yielding utterly to.

Surely just a dream, for all his heart skipped at the idea of it, before the waking world seemed to wash the sensations out under the much more reasonable memory of what surely had been the truth of the matter. Excusing the heavy limbs and lack of energy with his floundering hike the day before. It was little surprise after nearly dying in the cold that he might sleep so very hard. Just his imagination that he might seem a slight bit paler as he was getting dressed for the day. The lighting of the place surely, or maybe he was coming down with a cold. He certainly hoped he wasn't getting ill, both for his own sake as well as his kindly host. As it was though, he finally padded out of the room, curious about the place he'd found himself, as well as Haurchefant himself.

[suitsahero]

He's allowed to wander, at least a bit, though he might find one or two doors barred a bit more securely if he starts trying doors. There's plenty to see without having to open a single closed door, however, and so he might not even discover any of them. Eventually, though, he'll find his way to a different sitting room, higher up in the tower, and find Haurchefant installed in a chair there, reading a book.

Haurchefant looks better today than Mikka remembers from the night before, no longer quite so pale and he looks up from his book as Mikka comes in, clearly surprised to see someone in the manner of someone used to being alone. A moment later there is a flash of an equally unguarded look, a way his eyes drop down from Mikka's that could be perhaps read as shy, if he wanted to, but feels more amorous, like he wants what his eyes are sliding over. The expression is gone in an instant, replaced by a more softly flustered blush, which is still entirely incongruous, just less dangerously so.

"Ah, I wasn't expecting you awake yet. You startled me. Did you sleep well?"

[darlingdatura]

He doesn't try the doors- doesn't want to be rude and snoop where he isn't invited. But he still is glad to find Haurchefant, a faint smile crossing his lips. He looked better.. perhaps he'd gotten some much-needed rest. Mikka was glad to see it, and the surprise he's regarded with is a bit charming, a thing he had been on the other side of plenty of times before.

But the look that followed, however brief was nothing he'd ever been a part of before. While he excused it as shyness, the twitch of ears, the telling frizz of the fur of his tail and the faint flush of cheeks showed that on some level he recognized that want under the reasonable assumption. Easy enough to excuse as Haurchefant spoke, the Keeper smiling shyly as he nodded.

"I did, actually." He hummed, head tilting as he studied his host. "And yourself? You look much more lively than you did last night, if it's not too permissive for me to say as much."

[suitsahero]

"I've not had a better night in some time," he answers, honestly. "Perhaps it was your company," the flirtation is easy, gentle, the implication perhaps a bit more lascivious than he intended, actually. There's something about his expression this morning that's different as well, a different type of warmth.

There's something lovely about people when they're a little bit faded around the edges, isn't there? Mikka looks so soft and pretty a little paler, a little more tired. It makes him want to dote on him a bit, get him blankets and chocolate. Restraint isn't something Haurchefant has ever been known for, but he does know he has to tread at least a bit carefully, which might be the only thing keeping him casual and not motherhenning an injury he caused.

"Are you hungry at all? I've already eaten, but I'm sure we could find some food for you."

[darlingdatura]

"You flatter me," Mikka replied, that flush spreading a bit. "But if my company helped, then I am happy to give it."

It likely didn't help that the Miqo'te already had that softness about him even when at full health. Small and sweet, and as Haurchefant had already started to see, so very weak to that gentle doting. Unaware of course of his host's struggle, unaware of how he might make it worse simply by being himself.

"Famished, actually," And he found he was, quite hungry in fact. "I certainly wouldn't argue a chance for breakfast."

[suitsahero]

"Of course!" he rises quickly, definitely more spry than he'd seemed the night before. Perhaps Mikka just caught him on a bad day, before...? "It may take the servants a bit of time to prepare something, but I will be happy to keep you company while they do."

The main thing Mikka might notice on the way down the stairs is the impression of space here. This castle is huge and he has only seen one part of it. Perhaps the rest of it is in disrepair, or perhaps with just one person to look after, opening the rest of it up hasn't seemed necessary. Even so, this part seems so large and so empty. It's easy to see why Haurchefant would be so overjoyed to have guests, though it still doesn't explain why Hodges seems so sour about them.

The head of servants is there, glaring at both of them, when Haurchefant pokes his head in the kitchen with Mikka in tow and orders some kind of breakfast for their guest to be brought to the downstairs sitting room, but Hodges doesn't protest at all, just bows and sets the meager other servants to work on breakfast while Haurchefant sweeps Mikka out back towards the sitting room with a hand on his shoulder he just rather forgets to remove as he leads him.