City of Shadows Mux City of Shadows Mux

Finding a Lost housemate
Players Arnaud and Ben	Washington Park 6 October, 2022 Arnaud meets Ben as he's heard about the Fairest offering for a place to stay in exchange of house fixing.
Thu Oct 06 13:55:11 2022 It's a bit past midday, but the heating wave is far from gone. Even being already autumn. That means some people are still trying to get some fresh air in the parks and other public places around Chicago. One of those places. Washington Park is one of the first. Small gatherings, families and lone wolves are all around. One of them, a hard to miss middle aged man is sitting on a bench with a plastic cup with something fresh looking, wearing just short shorts, tank tops and flip flops. His not so discreet inhuman features are completely apparent. Arnaud can't hide his Wyrd features that easily, because he has horns. Hats won't work, but a large hood might. Still, he's displaying those horns proudly, his alabaster skin and scales glimmering in the sun as he's got his leather jacket hooked on a finger over his shoulder, wearing a simple white T-shirt and blue jeans today, and dirty and old sneakers that still at least hold together. His stalk-like gait is lazy and predatory, dragon-eyes scanning the area and spotting the other Lost from a long distance. He doesn't make any roundabout attempts to approach, but walks straight towards Ben. He upnods and then sprawls out on the bench next to him, long legs stretched out. "You're Ben? I'm Arnaud." Ben sees the Dragon before he reaches him and when he realizes he's the target of the Beast, he involuntarily crosses his arms around his chest and nods to the taller man."Yes. That's me. Can I help you, sir?" He asks, looking at the other man a little bit cautiously. "Someone told me you're looking to share your house, free of rent, as long as someone helps out repairing and remodeling. I am handy with a bit of everything, and I'm a great cook. Just arrived in Chicago, so I have no place to stay for now." Arnaud speaks with a French drawls, but his English is excellent. He squints at Ben, raising an eyebrow. There's something decidedly menacing about this Beast, but it's not rare amongst that seeming. His teeth are a bit too sharp for comfort. Whatever he was in his durance, it was probably not prey. Ben arches a brow and realization comes to his eyes as the Dragon gives his intentions."Oh. Right. I mean, yes. I'm offering a room in exchange for help with my family house. It works double shifts and I have little free time to really put some effort into doing it myself, but I already started. If you don't mind, I'd love to have someone to cook too. My boyfriend and I don't cook and we're barely at home." He gives and then lets the tension fade, smiling to the other Lost. You could use the whole house, wear anything you want, but just get naked, please." He then pauses for a second. Pondering. "Oh. Do you mind if I ask what your sexuality is? Since you're going to share a house with two gay men. I'd like to know if you're comfortable with that. Arnaud seems like the type that can't sit still - his gaze roams around the park and takes in any other people like he always expects trouble. But he is listening closely, his long ears shifting like that of an animal to focus his hearing on Ben's voice. When he's finished speaking he looks back at the other Lost and nods in understanding. "I like girls, I don't care what others do, and got no problem with it if you don't mind having a heterosexual around. I probably won't stay for very long, but I'll work hard while I'm there. I also got a few other things to take care of so I won't be in the house all day long. If that's alright, I'm willing." Ben smiles brightly and his Mantle flares. Scents of fresh flowers in the early hours of the morning."That's a deal, then. Here, take my number. You can call me and I'll give you direction to the house whenever you're ready. It's not far from here." He says and picks a greeting card from one of his pockets. It's a simple card with his nickname and a number. Nothing else. I'm also a doctor. I work off the books for the Lost, so if you find yourself in need of that kind of service, I'm game. I'm pretty sure you'll at some point." He then gris and hands the card to the other man gently. Arnaud accepts the card and immediately takes out his phone, adding Ben's number. He also sends a text to the Lost doctor, so he has his information. "Great." He sounds genuinely pleased, and he snorts with dark humor, his summer mantle flaring up in a heatwave in response to the spring mantle. "Yeah. I am going to need your healing services at one point or another." He glances around to make sure nobody is near, and lowers his voice. "Can you point me towards some of the Summers? I wanna join the Freehold as soon as possible too." Ben's smile fades quickly upon hearing about other Summer courtiers and getting pledged to the Freehold."So." He starts and hesitates, biting his lower lip gently for a second or two."I heard there was this huge...war here last winter and the community got almost completely erased. Just now we're getting back into town and there are just a handful of us really active around. So I can't help you finding other members of your court because I can't even find other members of my own court." He explains in a low tone so no one else can eavesdrop on them. His semblance becomes of sadness and a little bit of frustration before he tries a grin that doesn't really look real. Arnaud runs a hand through his unruly hair, tucking it behind his horns for those that can see it. He purses his lips in thought and nods again in understanding. "I got some leads, so I'll find them eventually. If I run into any of yours, I'll point you at them or vice versa. What about your boyfriend? Is he one of us?" That's a good question - he wouldn't want to make a mistake with that later. Ben shakes his head."No. He has the blood of the Wolves, though. By that I mean he's in the know about most things that wander the night, but is far from being able to defend himself. So I keep most secrets from our community away from him. For his own good. He knows what I am and that's enough for now. Would like it if you could keep it that way." The Fairest asks, but as all of their kind, there is more of a command hidden in his kindness and smiles."What about you? Do you have a special one we could be seeing around the house soon?" Arnaud looks genuinely surprised. "Blood of the Wolves? Ahhh. I heard about those," he murmurs, rubbing his jaw as he contemplates. "I won't tell him a thing, and won't let him know what I am either." He lets out a hissing laugh as he's asked if he has someone special. "There's nobody crazy enough for that." "That's what I thought before meeting Wolfe. It's like I was sailing in a storm. Lost and alone. Suddenly, there is this person that shows me the way out and, more than that, leads me to a very nice and warm beach." He says and grins, patting the other man in the thigh as if they were already very good friends. "You'll find someone that leads you to brighter places too, I bet. We all do at some point in our lives." Arnaud looks quite suspicious and seems about to protest scornfully, but then he leans back and crosses his arms over his chest to regard the people around in the park on this fine day. THere's a few couples enjoying the sun, and he regards them thoughtfully. There's a mother playing with her son, throwing a ball. It makes him tilt his head and watch with fascination - and perhaps some longing? He shakes out of it, and rummages around in a pocket of his jacket and comes out with a blue lollipop he hands to Ben. "Have one of these. Makes your tongue blue and they taste good. I was going to buy cigarettes but they are so fuck awful expensive." Ben watches as the other man goes on his own trip and waits calmly until he returns and offers a lollipop. "Just like when I was a kid. Thanks." He says and picks the lollipop, but stores it into one of his pockets. "So. If you don't mind me being a little nosey, what are your plans from now on? Are you here looking for glory and treasures?" Arnaud remains quiet for a lingering moment at those questions, squirming a little uncomfortably. This is not a man used to discussing these things. "Several reasons. Heard Chicago was hit hard, and I'm willing to help rebuild. I'm also here to find someone, but it might take a long time. All I have is a name, and don't even know when they lived here. It could be a few years ago, or it could be a hundred years ago." Ben nods."If you want help finding them, I can try. If you give me the name, I mean. But I'll understand if you don't." He says gently looking at the other man's eyes."I came back here just because this is the place I was born and raised. I never left this city so I don't even know how it looks like out there. And if no one else said that already: Welcome to Chicago, Arnaud." With that said, the Spring courtier offers the Dragon a huge and bright smile. "Her name was Heather Jones. She's dead. But I need to find out all I can about her anyway." Arnaud squints at Ben as he smiles like that, and makes an attempt at smiling back. His smiles are scary - too wide, and too toothy. He's better off NOT smiling, because when he does, he gives off the impression he is hungry and wants a bite. Either or, he stands up and offers his hand to shake. "I'll come by the house this evening, I'll give you a call first. Nice to meet you, Ben, and thanks for having me stay for a while." Ben stands up too and takes the hand to shake. His grisp is firm, but very gentle and his skin is soft and smelling good."I'll see you there. I'll try to call off work to show you around. If I don't, I'll let you know and will give you the basics through notes or something." He says and grins.