Realistic or Modern Dreams of Dust In-Character

[Auricula]

CS | INTEREST CHECK

DREAMS OF DUST

DAY: TUESDAY
DATE: 25 JUNE
TIME: 2.30 PM
WEATHER: HOT AND HUMID
LOCATION: CLARKE QUAY, SINGAPORE

At about 3 AM this morning, a report came in concerning a death classified as unnatural cause. While people...drowning in the Singapore River in the middle of the night thanks to heavy drinking wasn't the most surprising thing (nor was it unnatural), it was the very fact that a magic signature was detected on the corpse that was a cause for major concern. It wasn't any magic signature too. Discovery work indicated that possession might have happen. Thus, a few hours later, the first thing the remaining mages at the Singapore base wake up to is an order to report to the team house if they already weren't at it. About an hour or so later, they set off to Clarke Quay to investigate.

>> The body belongs to Annalise Marie Tan, aged 21 years old.
>> Forensic reports show she drowned to death and someone pulled her body out.
>> The main goal of the investigation is seeking out where the magic signature is the strongest.
>> The second goal is ascertaining whether the magic used is truly possession magic. There are a few notable signs of it: mainly, a small ritual has to be performed. The ritual consists of a specific mark linking the user and target together, an item the target owns, and incense. These three things must be found.
>> The third goal is an attempt to see if there is a link between the person who pulled her body out and the possessor.
>> Only the remaining mages at the Singapore base can participate in this since the rest are either in Malaysia or Thailand. Yall know who are part of the former.

 

[ChiaRoseKuro]

Kierren Lavia-Shilah

"eren shea" ; yellow-green ; elemental magic

LOCATION

Clarke Quay ; Singapore

STATUS / THOUGHTS

regretting his day and the whole situation
"man, can't we just leave the dead in peace?"

WITH

Chalerm Lavia-Shilah ( Auricula )

OUTFIT

nothing too fancy
(plus his usual scarf/bandanna/eyepatch/gloves)

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It was meant to be a lazy day in.

Sure, Kierren was well aware of his responsibilities as a Protector (and that skiving off work not only caused people to frown upon him more, but also meant he was putting pressure on Chal to earn more, and that was unacceptable), but he'd been looking forward to getting a nice breakfast with his husband. There was no such thing as spoiling him too much, not when every day was a day to be celebrated with the love of his life by his side, but... honestly, was it too much to ask for a nice, simple mission? Preferably one that didn't involve black magic and death, even?

Apparently not, Kierren wryly thought, and stuffed his hands into his pockets. The effect was somewhat ruined when he took them out bare seconds later and grimaced at the sweat beading on his fingertips, but it was the thought that counted.

Honestly, though, he wasn't too sure what to make of the mission. He felt bad for the girl, of course; it was terrible that she was dead before her time, and the forensic evidence pointing to the misuse of her corpse only made it worse. One did not simply go about fishing bloated bodies from the water and enchant them to do freaky deaky business, but what else would explain the magical signature found lingering on her? A chill raced down his spine at the thought of someone's fingers hooking onto waterlogged clothing and dragging a sopping wet corpse onto the wharf, and more followed when his brain unhelpfully supplied visuals of his thoughts.

It was only with a great deal of effort that Kierren managed to keep his sunny smile from sliding off his face; it wouldn't do for Chal to look over and worry, after all. Even so, there was a shadow in his eyes as he carded a hand through his hair, further ruffling his messy locks with the jerky motion.

In an effort to keep himself from sinking further into his disturbing thoughts (and possibly freaking his husband out with his odd silence), Kierren turned to Chal, nudged him with his shoulder and groaned, "Hey, man, d'you reckon we could find someplace cool to sit and discuss the case? Or, y'know, not visit the place where a dead person's been? I kinda don't want to sleep with Annalise's corpse floating around in my dreams..."

 

[Auricula]

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coded by auricula

location: clarke quay | status: mildly intrigued | with: kierren shilah ♡ | tags: ChiaRoseKuro

not free to use

auricula's

Chalerm could tell. His left hand lifted absentmindedly - as if out of habit - to brush away a stray lock of hair from Kierren's cheek. It was a quick motion, almost as soft as a gentle breeze, then Chalerm's hand was back at his side. His husband's eyes bore a shadow he never did like seeing. Kierren's sunny smile didn't fool Chalerm-- they had been partners for nearly a decade after all.

This case was quite a fascinating one. His last brush with forbidden magic was at least a good five years ago. And if it were true possession had occurred, he assumed the caster was at least Red class. Spells revolving around organics tended to be trickier and required more finesse. He held up his clipboard of papers once more; forest green eyes looking over the details of the reports. The speed of the investigation had slowed down quite a fair bit with the obstacles in front of them. The ever scorching heat and heavy humidity did little to help lift the somber atmosphere too.

A sigh escaped Chalerm.

He felt his shoulder nudged then, and Kierren spoke up from beside him. "Hey, man, d'you reckon we could find someplace cool to sit and discuss the case? Or, y'know, not visit the place where a dead person's been? I kinda don't want to sleep with Annalise's corpse floating around in my dreams..."

Ever the practical person, the ram's reply to that was merely, "You could always book an appointment with one of the therapists." But his gaze had softened a little and he inclined his head. "Let's get further away from here." The entire stretch of the quay had been cordoned off so there were plenty of places. "How does..." he searched the area and found a bar with the shutters up. "There? Annalise also went there last night so we might be able to find something too." As he said it, he glanced back to where her body had been found. This case was mystifying as it was fascinating.

 

[ChiaRoseKuro]

Kierren Lavia-Shilah

"eren shea" ; yellow-green ; elemental magic

LOCATION

Clarke Quay ; Singapore

STATUS / THOUGHTS

looking forward to getting out of the heat
"hmph, I'd rather cuddle you than a therapist..."

WITH

Chalerm Lavia-Shilah ( Auricula )

OUTFIT

nothing too fancy
(plus his usual scarf/bandanna/eyepatch/gloves)

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It took more effort than Kierren had anticipated to keep himself still when Chal brushed his fingers absentmindedly across his cheek... not because Chal wasn't one for PDA, but because they were in a conservative nation who wouldn't appreciate his usual response. Banishing the (very attractive, and therefore very hard to resist) urge to link his hand with his husband's or, worse, nuzzle into his fingers, he did his best to distract himself with the mission notes they'd been given. It didn't take long for his attention to wander, though; for all that he wanted to do right by the girl and give her peace in the afterlife, there was only so much he could do in the humidity.

If it was just heat, Kierren would be fine. Hell, his earliest memories revolved around volcanoes and the only thing he could control without it spinning out of control was fire, but fire and water? Breathing in air that felt like a distilled kiddie pool? His nose scrunched up at the unappealing image and he found himself grumbling a little as he sought to refocus on the mission... until Chal gave him sage, but unwanted, advice.

"Why would I do that when I could just talk to you about it?" Kierren parried, pouting a little at Chal's practical but somewhat cold advice. Even though his husband had improved by leaps and bounds, there were still moments when he could be a little distant, and the urge to press himself closer itched beneath his skin. It was only the thought that Chal would be embarrassed by his clinginess (and the infernal humidity) that stopped him from acting on the urge; that, and the way his husband's eyes softened just a little bit in response.

Ambling amicably by Chal's side, Kierren's smile curved into a gentler and more genuine smile when he looked towards the bar his partner had pointed out. Although his husband could've pushed to go past the cordon and look around at the place Annalise had been fished out, Chal had chosen to acknowledge his discomfort and work with it. It was moments like these that made his heart swell dangerously large in his chest until all he wanted to do was drag his husband into someplace quiet and lavish attention on him... but this was not the time, and Kierren quashed the urge as best as he could.

"Well, if they don't mind us poking our noses into there, I'm happy enough to scout out that bar with you," Kierren found himself saying, shoving his hands into his pockets despite the sweat that instantly gathered at the cloying heat. Doing his best to ignore his self-inflicted discomfort (in more places than one, much to his utter mortification), he added a breezy, "and hey, maybe we could get a drink while we're investigating. Man, what I'd do for a cool drink right now!"

 

[Auricula]

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coded by auricula

location: clarke quay | status: mildly intrigued | with: kierren shilah ♡ | tags: ChiaRoseKuro

not free to use

auricula's

It had taken Chalerm a long time to show even the slightest crack in his stone. It likely might not have even happened, if not for meeting his dearest fire starter who refused to leave him alone. Initially, it worried the trained killer. He knew he had been groomed a certain way, trained to embrace the inherent darkness in him which tainted half his soul. And should he break the programming, what would happen to Kierren and him? But there was no hand raised against them. Now, with his husband, he felt distinctly more human. But there was a side of him that would never disappear.

"Because I may not offer the best advice," Chalerm answered gently. There was an element of truth in it. He never quite connected with people on what was perceived as the normal emotional level. Very few missions disturbed him, and this wasn't one of it. Sorrow ran in his voice as well. He sometimes desired to be what Kierren needed but he also knew that though he was flawed and lacking, the ginger still loved him as he was.

"They'll need to cooperate with us," he added dryly. "I'll cover for you if you do take that drink." Kierren knew he didn't touch alcohol.

It didn't take long at all to reach the bar. Chalerm stepped in and instantly, he felt the cool air of the air-conditioning wash over him. Curse this infernal weather. He greeted the owner with a stiff smile. The latter was cleaning a glass with a cloth, his expression slightly wary.

"Hello, we're part of the squad that was sent here for investigating Annalise's death." He held up his ID. "We want to ask you a few questions, if that's alright?"

"Sure," the owner answered gruffly.

 

[ChiaRoseKuro]

Kierren Lavia-Shilah

"eren shea" ; yellow-green ; elemental magic

LOCATION

Bar ; Clarke Quay ; Singapore

STATUS / THOUGHTS

wondering if he can get some soda
"Time to turn that frown upside down (;"

WITH

Chalerm Lavia-Shilah ( Auricula )

OUTFIT

nothing too fancy
(plus his usual scarf/bandanna/eyepatch/gloves)

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For all the gentleness in Chal's tone, the resignation Kierren could feel in his husband's words was enough to bring shadows flitting across his face. Stuffing his hands further into his pockets, he found himself nibbling his lower lip as the unvoiced implications washed over him. For all that he was stoic and seemingly unapproachable, whether it be from his upbringing or his sisters' reputations or simply his position in society, it was hard for him to imagine Chal alone and lonely, damned to a life of greyscale and apathy. Only their location prevented him from pressing his cheek against his husband's and conveying his apology in a kiss... but it didn't stop him from nudging his shoulder against his partner's again.

"Nobody's perfect, man, but your advice is as good as any," Kierren replied, grinning at Chal as cheerfully as he could. "If I wanted to marry a counsellor then I'd go marry one, y'know? And hey, your food's therapeutic enough, man, so don't beat yourself up over it."

With a rueful shake of his head, Kierren let his smile fade into something softer but no less fond. If Chal was the characteristic archetype of the stoic, unfeeling bastard, then he'd fit right into the bubbly overenthusiastic idiot role. Before he could say anything more, though, the bar's door beckoned and he pushed it open with one sweaty hand, recovered from the depths of his somewhat disgusting pocket.

"I doubt they'll poke a toe out of line with you around," Kierren laughed, "but if they do anything fishy..." For a moment, shadows darker than the ones from before clouded his eyes and tightened his mouth, but with another laugh he brushed it off and withdrew his other sweaty hand from his pocket. If push came to shove, he trusted that they would be able to deal with the collateral damage (or, in his case, add to it), but for now...

"After you, then," Kierren uttered cheekily, and swept his hand through the doorway.

 

[ChiaRoseKuro]

Eveleen Íde Bellamy

"blackbird" ; blue ; emotion manipulation

LOCATION

Clarke Quay ; Singapore

STATUS / THOUGHTS

getting the job done
"if only there were witnesses readily available..."

WITH

[ Gina Konda ( Auricula ) ]

OUTFIT

simple but classy

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Evie had just awoken with the expectation of a leisurely breakfast and a nice, steaming cup of Earl Grey when the summons had arrived, ordering her back to the team house for a debrief on a mission that certainly sounded intriguing, but wasn't worth more than her beloved cup of tea. For all that her smile had been beautific and completely faultless in its intended purpose, her innards had rankled at the thought of being embroiled in illegal magic. It likely didn't help that Gina wasn't by her side, calming her down with her dependable presence, but she couldn't begrudge her girlfriend (and didn't that just send a thrill down her spine!) her time with her best friends.

Which, now that Evie thought about it, would do well for her to have as well. A handful of acquaintances she manipulated to adore her wasn't quite the same as someone who had seen her for who she was and loved her anyway, but the risks involved in exposing herself (figuratively, not literally, mind you) were just too high.

Pushing the somewhat dampening thought to the side, Evie shifted her sunglasses on top of her sunhat and glanced down at her phone. Gina had promised to meet up with her after lunch and, though it was a full fifteen minutes before their specified time, she couldn't help hoping that her girlfriend would arrive soon. There was simply nothing to do at home and not even the allure of her tea was enough to make her return from the team house, not when she'd have to amuse herself with her social media feeds or whatever trash was being aired on TV at this time of day.

Like soapies or historical dramas, Evie derisively thought, and shuddered a little at the thought (even as she quashed the rather unwelcome urge to check out Sense8. What could she say, it was just a really interesting premise, even if she was sure it'd let her down later).

By the time Evie was done checking her phone again, there was still no sign of Gina and her dress was looking a little less tidy than she'd normally like. With a quiet sigh that was inaudible to all but herself, she tucked the device into her bag and set about smoothing the folds of her skirt. At least she'd look busy when her girlfriend arrived, at any rate.