I never disrobe before gunplay

The house is mysterious, standing near a forest and on a small island-like structure between two meeting rivers. Surely the other had no problem getting through either of those. He gets up, yelling out a ‘coming!’ as he sets his spoon down and looks around, making sure there is not much of a mess in his kitchen. He walks up to the door, pressing on the handle and opening the door. The sight he is greeted with does surprise him. He really wasn’t expecting that. “Hello. Can I help you?” He blinks and tilts his head, looking Kankri over. Behind him, the other could see the various selves and hoards of food and other things. It looks homely - a combination of modern and traditional, though the floor could use some real cleaning. It’s a mess. Jake himself is another sight to look at. Tall, tanned and lean, not too muscular nor thin. His hair is too messy and eyes too bright to be real. Perhaps they are enchanted as well.

Nothing can be considered normal when it comes to this. “Oh, I see!” He exclaims happily, offering his hand out to Kankri so they can shake it in a formal manner. Seriously, who even shakes their hands anymore? “My name is Jake. Jake English. How about you?” He waits for the introduction, eventually stepping aside, careful not to step on anything. “Well? Come in and make yourself at home. I just made food. Would you like some? It’s a creamy pumpkin soup.” He holds the door open for Kankri, waiting till/if he passes. For just meeting a stranger and what seems to be his closest neighbour, Jake is extra friendly. After all, there are not many people he has ever made friends with, some like Dave or Hal being an exception. Perhaps it is about time he makes another.

“Ah,” Jake begins, walking into the kitchen after they shake hands,” I have never heard of your family name anyway. Well, considering the fact that I do not live nowhere near the cities, I suppose that ccould have been expected,” he pulls out another chair and a porcelain bowl, placing it on the table.  He grabs a ladle, pouring several of them into the bowl until it’s full. “Would you like some pumpkin seeds into it too?”  Jake hums, pulling out another spoon for him. “Now, come, sit down and eat while it’s still warm, Mr. Vantas. In case you would like some salt or pepper into it, there is some on the counter.” And with that, he sits down, bidding him a ‘bon appetit’ before he starts eating, letting Kankri do things at his own pace rather than making either of them wait.

He nods and continues eating, listening to Kankri’s speech over his soup. He has to say that this time, the soup came out perfectly - a little spicy and creamy, just like it’s supposed to be (save from the spice but he migh have accidentally dropped some in). He raises his brows a little when Kankri starts putting salt into his soup. It’s strange. The soup is supposed to be sweet. “Would you like a napkin?” He questions with a small laugh playing on his lips as the soup dribbles down his chin, already getting up to fetch one, because this is some comedy shit right here and he cannot look at it. He is back within seconds, handling two paper napkins. He hands one to Kankri to wipe his mouth before offering him the other one to clean the table up.

“Ah, it is supposed to be creamy and sweet! That’s how these pumpkins are. You cannot really change their taste with just salt. That wouldn’t taste good,” he shakes his head a little, eating the rest of the soup before putting the empty bowl on the kitchen work place. “My last name is English! It is not my real last name, but my grandmother has changed it. She said it symbolises something very important, but she has failed to mention what it meant,” he grimaces a little and leans back in his chair, hands playing with the edge of the table. “What do you think?” (it didnt show up all this time apparently???? or?

Tell the world that I am coming home.

pretentious-s9rcery “Ah, it is supposed to be creamy and sweet! That’s how these pumpkins are. You cannot really change their taste with just salt. That wouldn’t taste good,” he shakes his head a little, eating the rest of his soup before putting the empty bowl on the kitchen work place. “My last name is English! It is not my real last name, but my grandmother has changed it. She said it symbolises something very important, but she has failed to mention what it meant,” he grimaces a little and leans back in his chair, hands playing with the edge of the table. “What do you think?”

The house is mysterious, standing near a forest and on a small island-like structure between two meeting rivers. Surely the other had no problem getting through either of those. He gets up, yelling out a ‘coming!’ as he sets his spoon down and looks around, making sure there is not much of a mess in his kitchen. He walks up to the door, pressing on the handle and opening the door. The sight he is greeted with does surprise him. He really wasn’t expecting that. “Hello. Can I help you?” He blinks and tilts his head, looking Kankri over. Behind him, the other could see the various selves and hoards of food and other things. It looks homely - a combination of modern and traditional, though the floor could use some real cleaning. It’s a mess. Jake himself is another sight to look at. Tall, tanned and lean, not too muscular nor thin. His hair is too messy and eyes too bright to be real. Perhaps they are enchanted as well.

Nothing can be considered normal when it comes to this. “Oh, I see!” He exclaims happily, offering his hand out to Kankri so they can shake it in a formal manner. Seriously, who even shakes their hands anymore? “My name is Jake. Jake English. How about you?” He waits for the introduction, eventually stepping aside, careful not to step on anything. “Well? Come in and make yourself at home. I just made food. Would you like some? It’s a creamy pumpkin soup.” He holds the door open for Kankri, waiting till/if he passes. For just meeting a stranger and what seems to be his closest neighbour, Jake is extra friendly. After all, there are not many people he has ever made friends with, some like Dave or Hal being an exception. Perhaps it is about time he makes another.

“Ah,” Jake begins, walking into the kitchen after they shake hands,” I have never heard of your family name anyway. Well, considering the fact that I do not live nowhere near the cities, I suppose that ccould have been expected,” he pulls out another chair and a porcelain bowl, placing it on the table.  He grabs a ladle, pouring several of them into the bowl until it’s full. “Would you like some pumpkin seeds into it too?”  Jake hums, pulling out another spoon for him. “Now, come, sit down and eat while it’s still warm, Mr. Vantas. In case you would like some salt or pepper into it, there is some on the counter.” And with that, he sits down, bidding him a ‘bon appetit’ before he starts eating, letting Kankri do things at his own pace rather than making either of them wait.

He nods and continues eating, listening to Kankri’s speech over his soup. He has to say that this time, the soup came out perfectly - a little spicy and creamy, just like it’s supposed to be (save from the spice but he migh have accidentally dropped some in). He raises his brows a little when Kankri starts putting salt into his soup. It’s strange. The soup is supposed to be sweet. “Would you like a napkin?” He questions with a small laugh playing on his lips as the soup dribbles down his chin, already getting up to fetch one, because this is some comedy shit right here and he cannot look at it. He is back within seconds, handling two paper napkins. He hands one to Kankri to wipe his mouth before offering him the other one to clean the table up.

The house is mysterious, standing near a forest and on a small island-like structure between two meeting rivers. Surely the other had no problem getting through either of those. He gets up, yelling out a ‘coming!’ as he sets his spoon down and looks around, making sure there is not much of a mess in his kitchen. He walks up to the door, pressing on the handle and opening the door. The sight he is greeted with does surprise him. He really wasn’t expecting that. “Hello. Can I help you?” He blinks and tilts his head, looking Kankri over. Behind him, the other could see the various selves and hoards of food and other things. It looks homely - a combination of modern and traditional, though the floor could use some real cleaning. It’s a mess. Jake himself is another sight to look at. Tall, tanned and lean, not too muscular nor thin. His hair is too messy and eyes too bright to be real. Perhaps they are enchanted as well.

Nothing can be considered normal when it comes to this. “Oh, I see!” He exclaims happily, offering his hand out to Kankri so they can shake it in a formal manner. Seriously, who even shakes their hands anymore? “My name is Jake. Jake English. How about you?” He waits for the introduction, eventually stepping aside, careful not to step on anything. “Well? Come in and make yourself at home. I just made food. Would you like some? It’s a creamy pumpkin soup.” He holds the door open for Kankri, waiting till/if he passes. For just meeting a stranger and what seems to be his closest neighbour, Jake is extra friendly. After all, there are not many people he has ever made friends with, some like Dave or Hal being an exception. Perhaps it is about time he makes another.

“Ah,” Jake begins, walking into the kitchen after they shake hands,” I have never heard of your family name anyway. Well, considering the fact that I do not live nowhere near the cities, I suppose that ccould have been expected,” he pulls out another chair and a porcelain bowl, placing it on the table.  He grabs a ladle, pouring several of them into the bowl until it’s full. “Would you like some pumpkin seeds into it too?”  Jake hums, pulling out another spoon for him. “Now, come, sit down and eat while it’s still warm, Mr. Vantas. In case you would like some salt or pepper into it, there is some on the counter.” And with that, he sits down, bidding him a ‘bon appetit’ before he starts eating, letting Kankri do things at his own pace rather than making either of them wait.

The house is mysterious, standing near a forest and on a small island-like structure between two meeting rivers. Surely the other had no problem getting through either of those. He gets up, yelling out a ‘coming!’ as he sets his spoon down and looks around, making sure there is not much of a mess in his kitchen. He walks up to the door, pressing on the handle and opening the door. The sight he is greeted with does surprise him. He really wasn’t expecting that. “Hello. Can I help you?” He blinks and tilts his head, looking Kankri over. Behind him, the other could see the various selves and hoards of food and other things. It looks homely - a combination of modern and traditional, though the floor could use some real cleaning. It’s a mess. Jake himself is another sight to look at. Tall, tanned and lean, not too muscular nor thin. His hair is too messy and eyes too bright to be real. Perhaps they are enchanted as well.

Nothing can be considered normal when it comes to this. “Oh, I see!” He exclaims happily, offering his hand out to Kankri so they can shake it in a formal manner. Seriously, who even shakes their hands anymore? “My name is Jake. Jake English. How about you?” He waits for the introduction, eventually stepping aside, careful not to step on anything. “Well? Come in and make yourself at home. I just made food. Would you like some? It’s a creamy pumpkin soup.” He holds the door open for Kankri, waiting till/if he passes. For just meeting a stranger and what seems to be his closest neighbour, Jake is extra friendly. After all, there are not many people he has ever made friends with, some like Dave or Hal being an exception. Perhaps it is about time he makes another.

The house is mysterious, standing near a forest and on a small island-like structure between two meeting rivers. Surely the other had no problem getting through either of those. He gets up, yelling out a ‘coming!’ as he sets his spoon down and looks around, making sure there is not much of a mess in his kitchen. He walks up to the door, pressing on the handle and opening the door. The sight he is greeted with does surprise him. He really wasn’t expecting that. “Hello. Can I help you?” He blinks and tilts his head, looking Kankri over. Behind him, the other could see the various selves and hoards of food and other things. It looks homely - a combination of modern and traditional, though the floor could use some real cleaning. It’s a mess. Jake himself is another sight to look at. Tall, tanned and lean, not too muscular nor thin. His hair is too messy and eyes too bright to be real. Perhaps they are enchanted as well.

“Well, I suppose I could shift into other things as long as I would have some description of it, I guess? I have never really tried, but, I can shift into people too, watch!!” The giant lion shifts a bit around in the water, his eyes closing, but soon his body begins to turn humane and into a mirror image of Dave himself. It’s a shame he cannot really use other magic attributes other than to change his looks and maybe alter some things, but no one can be perfect. “Cool, huh?” Dave’s own voice speaks back to him, his reflection that is Jake chuckling slightly.

My eyes are up here.

Hal listens carefully, fingers idly working through the soft, fluffy strands of wet hair. He works out a few tangles, staring at the gentle movement of the water before flicking his gaze toward Jake. For some whatever reason, this complete stranger was willing to not only allow Hal into his home, but he also invited him for an afternoon tea. The idea boggles his mind, but what can he do aside from gracefully decline? He can gracefully accept. “Of course. I would expect no less from an apt host such as yourself. Assuming you retain the ability to be as quote unquote dapper as you seem to be. Tell me, do you wear clothes when you host guests at your home?” He hums a little, his tone just slightly teasing. It’s not often Hal reacts to someone in a positive manner, no less to a naked man in a pool he thought to be his own. Still, he supposes there are magical properties to the spring that allow him just an inkling of relaxation. Hal manages a little huff too at the continuation of his box theory, as if the other were some kind of comedian. Another question curls over his tongue, though most of it consists of a response. “After a while, your own magical ability will seem like nothing more than a chore. You’ll lose the powers you gained from this planet in exchange for something more, something reliable. But then that becomes boring too. Shit’s mad crazy when you get around to further speculation, you know. Things are just that much more difficult when you look at them from a different perspective. But of course, this is all merely speculation. Such things do not occur simply because our bodies create limits that stop us from being bored royalty, changing everything in sight.” Hal feels his face warm due to his own case of rambling, but he immediately pins it on the warmth of the hot spring in general. Nothing more, nothing less. Eventually the heat fades and he returns to semi-normalcy. “So, curiosity is eating at me like a ridiculous animal gnawing on my insides or whatever metaphors or fancy wordplay you prefer. You saw my back, yes? What did you see?” The animal usually gives him a sign or some sort of guess at what sort of person he was dealing with. That, and he was genuinely curious. As he waits, the shapeshifter decides to clean and stretch, muscles still somewhat tight from the earlier exertion. He flicks his wrists and stretches his shoulders, careful not to hit Jake square in the face with an extended arm. His arms then shift overhead, and he slouches once they sink back into the water, causing a little splash. His body has to remain smooth, easy to manipulate should the chance arise. He doesn’t want to cause strife in his favourite place of residence but he certainly will, if need be.

Jake is as much of a decent company as they come, liable and able to talk about any topic thrown at him, yet maybe in not so much of a sophisticated manner since he has grown up almost alone. That has really done a great number on his mental state, but he doesn’t let it show. Much. “True, true. It is also more natural, but some find it very indecent, therefore I wouldn’t want to risk anything when it comes to my honourable company.” He offers Hal a grin, his somehow still pearly whites shining all the way across the pond, possibly trying to blind Hal with their shine. “Well, one has to have experience in order to achieve some things and be more sucessful - in my opinion, it is quite important, but then again, there aren’t as much opportunities as I would like there to be,” he sighs distantly, absent-mindedly watching the long leg break the water surface and stick out of the water as Hal washes it. “Is that so? Well, I am not really sure what I see - I told you every ime I look, I see something different. It is like the tattoo has its own mind, but I am pretty sure that’s what comes with being a shifter, correct?” He wonders idly, humming as Hal hands him over the cloth and soap. For a second too long, he stares, quite unsure what the other wants. Perhaps he would like Jake to help him wash his back-- oh, nevermind. “Ah, how kind of you, friend, but I will have to refuse, thank you. I did not come here to scrub myself and smell like a fair damsel, I menat for just simple relaxation which I am very content with. Once again, thank you for that kind offer of letting me borrow your soap and cloth, but those things are of personal usage and hygiene and for the sake of that,it should stay that way.” Jake. Stahp.

The shark’s mouth curls into something akin to a grin, teeth out and visible as he swims around Dave’s head in circles, trying to poke at the bubble with his nose a little, but carefully and not enough to pop it, his beady little eyes eying him all the time. Once again, he swims away after a while, this time as far as he can so he can indeed try the last beast he has once met when hiking on the cliff above the ocean. He only saw it from the top, but it is enough for him to try and shapeshift into an exact replica of the very same creature. What appears to be a lion in deep blue colour with golden mane around his head and tail. The creature is very big and barely fitting into the pond, head about half the size of Dave.

My eyes are up here.

Hal listens carefully, fingers idly working through the soft, fluffy strands of wet hair. He works out a few tangles, staring at the gentle movement of the water before flicking his gaze toward Jake. For some whatever reason, this complete stranger was willing to not only allow Hal into his home, but he also invited him for an afternoon tea. The idea boggles his mind, but what can he do aside from gracefully decline? He can gracefully accept. “Of course. I would expect no less from an apt host such as yourself. Assuming you retain the ability to be as quote unquote dapper as you seem to be. Tell me, do you wear clothes when you host guests at your home?” He hums a little, his tone just slightly teasing. It’s not often Hal reacts to someone in a positive manner, no less to a naked man in a pool he thought to be his own. Still, he supposes there are magical properties to the spring that allow him just an inkling of relaxation. Hal manages a little huff too at the continuation of his box theory, as if the other were some kind of comedian. Another question curls over his tongue, though most of it consists of a response. “After a while, your own magical ability will seem like nothing more than a chore. You’ll lose the powers you gained from this planet in exchange for something more, something reliable. But then that becomes boring too. Shit’s mad crazy when you get around to further speculation, you know. Things are just that much more difficult when you look at them from a different perspective. But of course, this is all merely speculation. Such things do not occur simply because our bodies create limits that stop us from being bored royalty, changing everything in sight.” Hal feels his face warm due to his own case of rambling, but he immediately pins it on the warmth of the hot spring in general. Nothing more, nothing less. Eventually the heat fades and he returns to semi-normalcy. “So, curiosity is eating at me like a ridiculous animal gnawing on my insides or whatever metaphors or fancy wordplay you prefer. You saw my back, yes? What did you see?” The animal usually gives him a sign or some sort of guess at what sort of person he was dealing with. That, and he was genuinely curious. As he waits, the shapeshifter decides to clean and stretch, muscles still somewhat tight from the earlier exertion. He flicks his wrists and stretches his shoulders, careful not to hit Jake square in the face with an extended arm. His arms then shift overhead, and he slouches once they sink back into the water, causing a little splash. His body has to remain smooth, easy to manipulate should the chance arise. He doesn’t want to cause strife in his favourite place of residence but he certainly will, if need be.

My eyes are up here.

“Hal, you may refer to me as Hal.” He hangs his clothes off of a nearby branch to hide the colour in his cheeks. He’d already forgotten the boy’s name within record time. Perhaps it should be something to be proud of; the other couldn’t mean more than an abhorrence in his spring. Another part of his mind decides that it’s because Hal is undeniably focussed on the other’s proximity and lack of clothing. Quickly, Hal dismisses the thought and frowns. There’s no way a little nudity could ever mess with him in such stupid ways. After carefully arranging his clothes on a twisted, gnarled branch hanging low enough to threaten to whack him on the head, Hal decides that if you can’t beat ‘em, you join 'em. With a hum and a renewed sense of Giving Less of a Fuck-ness, Hal begins to unbutton his shirt, allowing it to slide off of his shoulders and stop at his elbows. The movement reveals the faded pink scars from years of fixing a broken house and the pretty red tattoo that curves all around his back and shoulders. The image changes depending on the one looking at it. For some, it’s the outline of a few swirling clouds clinging to the wide expanses of his slightly marred skin. For others, it’s a coyote, an old animal that existed solely on the planet Earth. Hal only saw a few koi fish swimming against one another, the scars acting as scales for the aquatic creatures. Briefly, Hal wonders what Jake believes to see. He unhooks his shirt from his arms and catches the fabric on it’s downward plunge, hanging it beside his clothes and beginning on his belt. Hal is almost thankful for the clouds of steam that cloak his body as his trousers and underwear drop, pooling around his ankles. His boots are unlaced, limp around his shins and easy to kick off. He undoes the wrinkly knots, shaking the fabric off and hanging it next to his shirt. His socks remain in his boots, and he keeps his jewellery on. Hal pulls the thick braid over his shoulder, looking at Jake for a few moments before carefully walking toward the edge of the spring. For a moment, Hal stutters, not ready to burn himself but feeling quite grimy from his gritty work. He slowly steps in, quite close to Jake but not close enough. His body reacts positively to the clear, warm water, and he’s soon settled into the spring, sighing in content. “Perhaps I’ll take up your offer and visit your humble home, if you permit. I still have a while yet before my clothes dry, and I don’t find the appeal in shrivelling up into a raisin anytime soon.” Hal begins to undo his braid as he speaks, allowing the thick, curled hair to spread out along the water. Strands of pink colour over the rocky bottom, giving off the illusion that his hair could be a part of the very spring itself. For a moment, he allows the wisps to paint a picture. Then, he closes his eyes, the gem around his neck glowing brightly and the extra hair disappearing. The short, fluffy hair still sticks to his face, but he doesn’t mind. “I can’t shift other items, no. Just myself. But I suppose I haven’t made an attempt on doing so, since I’m more into spells and potions and things. Changing an item seems to just make me lose the appeal of being a shapeshifter. What’s the point if you can King Midas -I do believe that was his name but I could be seriously wrong- everything. What if everything you touched turned into something stupid. Like a box. All these rocks become fuckin’ boxes. Your shirt is a box. Your whole life is a goddamn box.” Hal shakes his head for a little while, grumbling to himself and ignoring the way te gemstone around his neck turns blue, then green. He makes himself busy with getting his hair wet and sinking below the water for a moment, hoping to cleanse himself. When he comes back up, he sighs. “This is a beautiful place,” he finally remarks, looking around. “It’d be a shame if more people learned of it’s existence. You know?” As if it would happen. Still, Hal’s voice is a few tones away from making his words sound like a threat.

“Ah, nice to meet you then...Hal,” he tests how the name works on his tongue, and with scrunched eyebrows, he tries to hide the fact that he almost pronounced it as ‘hell’. That would be hella awkward, now wouldn’t it? Once the other starts stripping, however, Jake’s head immediately tilts in a much deeper confusion - he himself cannot figure out what he sees. Once it is a coyote, or maybe a wolf? Well, and if he tilts his head like this (he is really doing it and most likely looks like he is trying to do head/neck exercises) it looks more like a serpent..or no, no..hm..now it looks like one of them..well..these large felines...oh, could it be a panther? It is quite difficult to say from where he is sitting - the lines always seem to move when he squints or moves to get a better look. What kind of sorcery is this?! As the once stranger continues stripping, Jake laughs shortly and nervously, partially averting his gaze from Hal’s body after he has already embarrassed himself by staring at the tattoo for far too long than it is even polite. Well, not like he could help himself anyway, however hard he tries. It is just one’s nature to do so. Especially in Jake’s case. He hasn’t really been in all the necessary human contact. Neither on Earth, neither here. “Ah, but of course! I have told you - you are welcome anytime you wish to stop by!” He grins nervously once again, totally not watching Hal as he eased himself down into the warm water near him, seeming quite content as he is. Another wave of confusement washes over him once Hal’s pink locks are released from their shackles and then suddenly disappear. Then he remembers that Hal might be a magic user or a shapeshifter too and it kind of clicks together in his brain. He has to admit the other looks far more attractive with short, messy hair in all directions. “I agree on that, and yes, his name was Midas - as in Midas’ touch, you know? The item does seem to lose its appeal and such. And then again, despite it maybe being useful in some cases, the whole thing just..becomes kind of boring, I guess. I do not know about you, mate, but to me it just seems that way..” he shrugs and slides a little deeper into the water so he can tilt his head back and lay it down on the stone slab behind his head, laughing a little at the box theory. “In the end, everything is a box. A box within a box. I am a box, you are a box, our DNA is just a friendly amount of boxes holding hands. That sounds quite nice when you think about it. The world would be funny if everything were a cube, would it not?” Jake nods at Hal’s following words, failing to acknowledge and recognise the slight change of Hal’s tone. “Yeah. It would be a shame. But then again, if no one knows about it, how can someone enjoy it?” He hums softly, letting his shoulders relax and slump down lower into the water. “This is quite relaxing, actually. Say, would you care for some tea if you decide to come over? Maybe I could whip out some quick crumpets! Ah, well, without starting fire,” he laughs over that nervously. He is obviously speaking from experience.