If it were the real me and you | OPEN

[lupusxylem]

Who: Wolfwood and YOU!
What: Wolfwood schedules a cult book burning and invites everyone
When: March 10th
Where: The Church
Warnings: Relevant info for this event can be found here, general warnings for: monster attack which could lead to blood/gore/etc in threads, please tag accordingly! Will update as needed



Netbook | Morning

Hey everyone, it's me Wolfwood. Nicholas D. Wolfwood if you're new.

So, here's the deal. The church I bought has a problem. It came with a bunch of religious texts inside of it, and while that's...you know. What you'd expect in a church, these ones are like

super fuckin culty.

Not exactly what I asked for. Not that I asked for them at all. I keep trying to get rid of them but they keep showing up again later so

Basically Im gonna be burning them again this evening if anybody wants to come to the bonfire, or help me in getting rid of them cause theres a shit ton. Bring marshmallows or whatever, I dont care.

and before someone comes preaching to me about burning books, again: its cult propaganda bullshit. read it for yourself if you dont believe me
just make sure you chuck it in the fire afterwards or ill do it myself.

Church | Evening

[Should you choose to come to the Church later that evening for whatever reason, you'll find the Priest himself already hard at work setting up a pyre in the yard just outside of it. (Just look for the massive bound cross propped up nearby, you can't miss it.) With the way he loads up the firepit he's created with kindling, it's clear he's already had to do this once before. It's a bit tricky to find anything dry given that the snow is still on the ground in a lot of places, but he's making do with what he's got. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Beyond getting the fire going, there's a matter of getting the aforementioned books out of the church. It's just as Wolfwood described, should you grow curious and crack one open. They're very religious, but strangely...plant focused. Like it's a religion that revolves around the Forest itself, almost. Definitely nothing orthodox about this, that's for sure. There are quite a number of them to take care of as they've all refilled the church pews since the last time he did this.

Or, perhaps you're just here because you think bonfires are cool and want to simply enjoy yourself for a change. The Forest seems to have had its fun with the animal race given that everyone's back to normal at this point, so really, why not kick back and enjoy the warmth of the flames while it isn't sub-zero temperatures outside anymore?

Feel free to mingle...or don't. Perhaps the distant unease in the atmosphere is enough to stop you.]

Comments

[lupusxylem]

Shit-!!

[Well! He should have expected the gun would do nothing, but jesus christ. He thought it might slow him down a little. This is what he gets for not being close enough to grab the Punisher in time.

In the end, Wolfwood can't stop Beat from lunging at him. Grabbing him. It feels just like being jumped by the rose hounds, except 500 times worse because Beat is so much bigger. And when Beat's jaws snap closed dangerously close to where that old bite scar hides under his clothing, Wolfwood lets out a sound that's more fearful than angry, albeit just briefly.

He drops his gun in the scuffle. Just like that, Beat has him hoisted up by the front of his blazer, helpless to reach out and grab at his fur, or his muzzle, or whatever part of him he can to keep himself from being shaken around too violently.]

[soundsurfing]

[The fearful noise tries to activate a part of his brain that says he has food. This is food in his mouth. Prey. Weak, helpless, human. Eat.

But the yellow tinged whispers that often come with the desire aren't there to make it worse. Even as Beat stands his full height with Wolfwoof in his mouth, the clothes tearing around his teeth, there's no desire to do good on the prey drive. Just... shake him, from side to side, before letting go. Opening his mouth suddenly to drop Wolfwood like a bundle of sticks, before quickly turning and

insult to injury

plopping his butt on the other's stomach/chest. A big dog, just sitting there. Breathe around it.]

Man! Why you gotta put bullets in my shoulder!!

[You will sit there as he begins to dig the bullets out with his mouth, because his paws are just too fucking big to get into the bullet wounds, so he's trying to use his teeth.]

Maaaaaaaaan.......... [Whine....]

[livlaughlove]

[fucking HELLO? livio has his back turned for TWO seconds and a goddamn werewolf jumps wolfwood? look, beat, he agrees that this place fucking sucks, but attacking other residents is the most counterintuitive shit you can do.

by the time all this goes down and beat has taken a seat, he's got two more guns trained on his face, held by a guy who looks all too ready to shoot them. the very real fear livio is feeling staring at a dog person is shoved down and covered with the cold glare of someone who's done his fair share of premeditated murder.]

Unless you want more, go away.

[lupusxylem]

[Wolfwood, meanwhile, is. Uh.

Incapacitated, for sure. He is being weighed down by Beat's fuzzy dog ass and is not going anywhere any time soon. His gun is too far away to reach, and no matter how hard he shoves, he lacks the strength to move his full weight off of him. It's like being weighed down by the old church bell again, except it's a hundred times heavier.

He groans, unable to even reach to kick him, before he hears Livio's voice just above. That is worrying, because he knows Livio would sooner pull the trigger than wait for much of an explanation. Even if- at least in this moment- Wolfwood wouldn't be super angry if Livio shot at him-]

Liv, m'fine- [He manages to get out before he beats a fist against Beat's hip uselessly.] -just...get OFF me!! You stupid mutt!

[soundsurfing]

[He ignores the attempts to dislodge him, and he sort of dead-eyes the guns aimed at his head. There's a calculating look in them, gauging, but also the look of someone who has faced his fair share of shit. He doesn't know if there's silver in there or not... It will hurt getting shot straight in the face by both - especially as close as they are - but he also doubt any of them have any wolfsbane coating them. Hm.]

Nah. Not until dipshit down there says sorry. Take a moment and see which of one us is actually bleeding. Why ain't nonna you know how to have a proper fuckin' fistfight. Oh no...

[The hit in his hip makes him snort, and he turns to bite at his own shoulder again. He manages to get his tooth into one bullet, pulling it out and dropping it.]

Oh no, yo, gotta go right fer the guns first. Ain't no fuckin' honor.

[But his tail is wagging a little. Just.... just fucking push him off Wolfwood, Livio...]

[livlaughlove]

[he is talking to a dog man, and the dog man is talking back. lord help him. livio doesn't lower the guns or even move his fingers from the triggers, but he also isn't shooting just yet.]

You've got fangs and claws. We're just leveling the playing field.

[... he may glance down for half a second at wolfwood. at least he's breathing. then his eyes narrow at beat.]

What do you want him to apologize for, exactly? [because it's extremely fucking unlikely that he'll ever get an apology. sorry.]

[soundsurfing]

Ain't weren't no need to level the field, yo!! He said come kick my ass so I came to kick his ass and he fuckin' shoots me!

[His huff is the big huff of a dog who has had SUCH a hard life.]

I want him to say sorry fer puttin' bullets in my arm!! I didn't even scratch him!!

[He's whining now. Biggest dog whine. And at least he will get off Wolfwood by flopping dramatically off to the side.

Onto his shoulder cause he's a fucking idiot.

His ow is muffled in the dirt.]

[lupusxylem]

You said you were going to eat me, shit for brains-

[Comes Wolfwood's muffled growl as Beat answers Livio above him, just in time for Beat to suddenly go rolling off of him and into the grass. He heaves a breath now that he's got room to do so, and thankfully he isn't so reckless as to jump up and try to attack Beat or something now that he's able to move. He just sits forward slowly, gritting his teeth and rolling his shoulders to make sure everything still works. Not a scratch on him, to Beat's credit...even if it does mean the collar of his blazer is now fucked and ripped up thanks to his teeth.]

[livlaughlove]

[well, even if wolfwood seems fine, livio is stooping down -- at least one gun still out, thank you very much -- to inspect that torn spot.

alright, alright. no blood. he offers nick a hand to pull him up, without ever taking his eyes off of beat. livio... isn't sure whether it's more or less comforting that the guy seems to behave more like a dog than a human.

for now, he doesn't say any more. even as defensive of wolfwood as he is, he can see why beat might be upset, but he isn't going to be friendly to the guy as long as he wants to pick a fight.]

[soundsurfing]

That's SHIT-talk, bro!! You know?! Damn...

[Once Wolfwood is up, Beat climbs to his feet as well, brushing himself off and just ignoring his shoulder. The bleeding is already beginning to stop. Mostly cause there's still a bullet plugging a hole. He puts a hand on his hip, his jaw closing on his tongue in a blep as he tries to look upset.]

You ain't never jus' had a damn ass-kickin' fight 'fore?! I won that, by the way.

[Now his tail begins to wag in earnest. Shf shf shf.]

[lupusxylem]

Again: how was I supposed to know?!

[There's a difference between just saying shit, and actually meaning it. For all Wolfwood knows, Beat would have genuinely come over and just eaten him like he said. Ugh.

Well, whatever. He's fine, he didn't get eaten after all...and he'll take Livio's hand up, swinging to his feet with a frustrated huff. He will bend back down to grab his gun, but it's immediately holstered. No need to point another gun at Beat when Livio already has that covered.]

That was self defense. If I was shooting to kill, you wouldn't know cause you'd be dead.

[soundsurfing]

Bitch, please, you can't fuckin' kill me wid normal bullets. Jus' a heads up, in case I go nuts or somethin' fer reals. You need silver. Or wolfsbane. Both'll work anywhere. It's super deadly. Acts like a poison.

[That sure is a werewolf giving you the secrets to actually killing him, all while his tail is wagging away and he's relaxing. His mouth is now opening into a happy pant, his tongue lolling out, showing off the tongue stud.]

Sorry 'bout gettin' all up in yer case. I getchu frustrated as fuck, but I think this is one of those fuck around and find out things that might backfire, you know?

[And while he has them here? He commits their scents to memory, in case he ever has to track them down.]

[livlaughlove]

[the shop stocks silver bullets... good to know.]

If you don't like it, you can leave. Nobody is forcing you to be out here. [... for now, though, he'll holster the remaining fang.]

There's a clinic, if you need help getting the bullet out.

[lupusxylem]

[Well thanks for giving him all your werewolf secrets, he guesses...but that does help Wolfwood to relax a little. Either this guy is super dumb, or he really isn't interested in fighting anymore if he's giving that information out first-hand. It's hard to say, really.

He rolls his bad shoulder again, giving Beat a proper once over now that the dust has settled. He can see blood in his fur, and for as frustrated as he is, he does wince inwardly. It hits a little different, seeing as how Beat didn't actually end up biting him.]

Yeah, yeah. ...I shouldn't have shot you.

And Liv is right. If you need medical attention, we got a doctor.

[soundsurfing]

[Someone's grumpy. For a moment Beat ponders Livio, his nose working overtime for a moment, before glancing between the two.

HEH. Got it. The grin that spreads across his face says: gremlin.]

Relax, big guy, I ain't gonna mess wid yer boy nomore.

[Wolfwood also smells like Vash, and Beat remembers Vash mentioning his name so. File that away to forget about later. His tail wags and he waves his hand.]

Ye, prolly. I got Josh though, he's around here somewhere, I can smell him. He'll get it out. You aight?

[livlaughlove]

["your boy." that's just how beat talks, right? why does livio feel so... exposed right now? his face scrunches up for a moment despite himself.]

... Right. My name is Livio. [he feels some type of way about "big guy," coming from this dude in particular.]

[lupusxylem]

[...there is a moment where Wolfwood feels heat rush to his face at Beat's comment, and he really hopes that doesn't mean that he's blushing right now. Just what he'd need on top of everything else-]

Josh? Just how many of you have shown up overnight?

[Fun fact Wolfwood only knows Josh as "Yoshiya", he has no idea this is the same person-]

...m'fine, yeah. Takes more than that to get me.

[soundsurfing]

[Both of their reactions makes him hehe softly, his tail wagging so hard. Nailed it. It's really cute, though, and it makes Beat miss Neku and Josh (his) fiercely.]

Cool name, yo, name's Beat. Nice to meetchu! Even wid the guns.

[There's a subtle head tilt in Livios direction. Nose down, top of head pointed in his direction. Pat? Pat for the good boy??? Or maybe shake?? Shake hands???]

Uh... jus' me an' Josh s'far as I know? I ain't seen no one else. An' good. I tried to make sure I ain't get skin.

[Pet??]

[livlaughlove]

[... livio is taking a step back, thank you very much. now that wolfwood is no longer in imminent danger, liv's wariness of dogs is kicking back in.]

Okay, Beat. We've met. [please get him out of here, actually.]

[lupusxylem]

[Don't worry Beat, Livio is just...he has a Dog Thing. It's not you. He won't come near Angelina either, and even Wolfwood doesn't know why.

That said, Wolfwood is a little surprised by what he's seeing. He's had a dog long enough to know the signs, like...is Beat really asking to be pet right now? What is he, a person or a dog??

...there's a tentative pause before Wolfwood reaches up and out, dropping his hand awkwardly on top of Beat's head.]

Right, uh. Let's just...agree not to do that again.

[soundsurfing]

[Livio you're breaking his heart right now, but at least Wolfwood seems to understand. This is Beat making amends, reassuring them he is a good boy and he is truly sorry he picked a fight. The hand on his head instantly makes his face scrunch up and he tilts his head into the hand aggressively. Scratch!]

Sure, brotha, promise I won't be a dick no more.

[No more talking, pet him god damnit, his tail trying to detach itself. Please. Please pet. His voice is very "yeah whatever" right now.]

[livlaughlove]

[livio will just be removing himself from this, like, ten foot radius. thanks. continue your pets.

... he will side-eye from afar, just in case either one of them tries to pull some shit again, though.]

[lupusxylem]

[Don't worry Livio, he'll take this from here.

But oh, okay. If Beat is going to SHOVE his head into his hand, Wolfwood will just...scratch...he's scratching his ears...how did we get to this point.]

...so you really are a dog, huh?

[soundsurfing]

[Nooooooo he is really a good boy promise noooo you're breaking his hea- heart healed via scratching of his ears, his tail wagging as his head bows down further. More.]

Ye like... I dunno.... 95% is all dog now. Or somethin'. Whatchu gonna do if the books come back?

[IF Wolfwood tries to stop, Beat will just follow his fingers with his head. Scoot closer. Then just. Dog suddenly. There is this better? There is now just a dog there. Guy gone, all dog now.]

[lupusxylem]

God, I dunno...throw 'em in the river or something. Maybe they'll stick around, just elsewhere. Outta sight and outta mind, and all that.

[He's running out of ideas quickly, here.

...he will continue to scratch Beat's ears though, even if it's a little bit strange. He's not really spoken to any of the animals here yet, sooo...this is a new one, for sure.]