Joyful Janitor

“Oh, I wasn’t sure, because a lot of times when someone stares at me, it’s what they’re thinking,” he didn’t mind though, it was more flattering than anything honestly, “Thank you,” he gave her a shy smile, his cheeks turning into a light pink, because it was what usually happened when someone complimented him, even when it was about something that he was used to hearing, “Oh? You can’t tell me that and then not show it to me, but I’m gonna guess that you don’t have your flute with you right now?” he asked her, he knew not everyone went to the park to play music, even if they knew some kind of instrument, no matter how small they were. Sometimes he didn’t take his guitar with him either, “Sure, why not? It looks delicious,” he grinned widely, wondering if she just meant the cake, or if there was any other meaning behind her words.

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The little pink hue on his cheeks lends him a boyish charm that greatly amuses Maeve. She smiles a little more, then laughs at his question. “I don’t carry it around with me, I’m afraid. But if you have a really bad desire for Three Blind Mice, I could sing it. Can’t promise it’d be any good, though!” Looking right into his eyes, she holds out the cherry cake but doesn’t let it go. “Help yourself! It’s pretty good. Best cherry cake around.” 

Trevor laughs. “I suppose you’re right, but back in late 2019, I found myself fighting zombies——— zombies! It’s the weirdest kind of memories to have waking up one morning after losing more than a week of your life.” Although, he’d have a good life there, but it still messed with his brain for a while to imagine Covaire City behind a white picket-fenced place that had zombies roaming the streets at night. “It’s not that I don’t love myself – believe me, I’m quite comfortable in my own skin, but my other self, had anxiety attacks and all kind of similar issues that I don’t have. It’s not the best memories to carry around.” He explains further. But he can appreciate someone enjoying all those other lives for themselves.

Trevor laughs. “Their skin are indeed warmer than wolves. But better that that elysian making the water cold faster. At least, chthonic keeps it warm. But not boiling I promise.” He smiles at her, as they shake hands. “Maeve. Pleasure to meet you.” Always nice to meet someone happy.

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Maeve isn’t too sure why zombies would be alarming. The ‘living dead’ is basically a daily occurrence in Covaire. If you haven’t died at least once in Covaire, you are in the minority. “Zombies sound like a hoot! Like living in a movie. But I suppose I understand what you mean. Being saddled with limits from someone else isn’t any fun.”

RaexMaeve

Rae was just finishing her last client, a cockapoo puppy. The vampire was finishing off the blow-drying and was looking through the drawer of little bows that she could put atop her little fluffy head. The other had shown up a few minutes ago, waiting for Rae to walk her through how she was looking for the shop to be cleaned. Turning to the other, she offered a smile, holding up a teal and a lavender bow. “Which color for this little one?” She asked Maeve.

@joyful-maeve​

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Maeve, meanwhile, has been staring around with eyes like lamplights. Who’d have thought people could pay this much money on making their animals look pretty? Madness! But Maeve likes it nonetheless and cannot wait for the owner to show her around so that she can sneak a few cuddles with some pooches. 

“Ooh. Definitely lavender. One of my favourite scents; teal smells of nothing.”

Let’s just pretend that makes sense.

The city had something new about it. He can’t put his finger on it but it feels like a good time to go out and make an adventure out of the day. Ricky just started walking—no turn motive to where he was going except to get out of the house for some fresh air. It was a hot one unfortunately. It was enough to make anyone contemplate walking around with AC unit strapped to him. The walk had come up short when he stepped into a café to cool down. Maybe he could sit down with a coffee or a chai, he hadn’t been to sure since he never came into this shop before. Or really drank any other coffee beside what they had at the station—and he actually liked it. Most of the tables were taken now except a high top that already had someone sitting there. Bringing his cup over Ricky stops beside one of the chairs, smiling shyly as he tries to figure out how to introduce himself without being awkward. “Hi—uh, ‘m sorry but none of the other tables are open. Is it alright if I sit here with you?“

@joyful-maeve

Wooh! It’s hot as hell. Maeve isn’t naturally accustomed to these temperatures, having lived her whole life in the cold hills of Scotland. So she’s found a cool spot in a cafe and has charmed a paper fan to hover in the air, continuously flapping a nice cool breeze right into her face, which right now is enjoying an ice cream purchased with her hard-earned wages. 

Swiveling on her chair, she smiles at the new man and gestures to the empty seat. 

“Be my guest! I was just about to order an iced tea. Would you like something?”

Humming to himself softly Mika continued to flap his arms around, his curls making a messy halo around his head. Bright eyes flicking to life as the woman giggles. He can’t help but wonder if he said something to amuse her. Before he can speak, he spots the broom moving. “Yeah… I like animals…” He replies softly, his voice trailing off at the broom moving on its own. Sitting up he looks at Maeve brightly. “You’re a mage?!” He murmurs, watching her retreating form with interest. This city is full of surprises it seems. “I’ve always had a love of magic…”

He flushes at the tsking sound. The room could stand to be cleaned but he wasn’t at fault. “Sorry for the mess.” He murmurs, moving to hug his long legs.

“Oh that would be nice.” The elysian says, watching her with interest. Suddenly the air around him feels thick. Was it the dust? He coughs, sputtering slightly at what he can only guess is dust. “I… didn’t realize… how dusty… it is…” He chokes out, coughing and clearing his throat. He pulls lightly at his shirt collar, watching as she polishes the doorframe. “So… have… you…” He coughs again. “Been…. here… long?”

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Continuing to polish the doorframe, Maeve hums a merry tune and wags her fingers to shift the broom towards a dustpan and brush. This man is interesting her more and more by the second. His delightful little blush, like two rosy circles on a pale pantomime puppet, makes her happier -- and more wicked. It takes all of her self-restraint not to do something reckless, instead choosing to throw her duster towards a shelving unit whereupon it springs to life and starts working at a few circular cup stains.

“Well, it is rather filthy.” Wrinkling her nose, she looks back towards the choking man and can’t help but chuckle a little. “Are you ok down there? You’re looking a wee bit red. Like a ripening tomato.” 

Leaving to go into the bathroom, she starts work in there, all the while enjoying watching Mika in the mirror. So she scrubs at that first to get it nice and sparkly and all the better reflecting. 

“OH!” she remembers. “What do you love about magic, then? And are you human or peculiar creature?”

The park was, by far, one of the best places to relax, he enjoyed sitting down on the grass, and just feel the breeze. He often took his guitar with him. It was a good way to escape his mind, and stop thinking for a while. Sometimes his thoughts overwhelmed him, especially at night, which was the hardest part of his day, as he a lot of times, stayed alone with his thoughts. Most of the time, he went to sleep with someone, there were times that he did it, just so he didn’t need to focus on what he was thinking. The sex was definitely a plus, and he wouldn’t deny it was partly why he booked one of the girls, but it wasn’t the only reason. As he sat down underneath a tree, his fingers moved on the strings of the guitar, for the time being, not singing along with the melody, but just playing it, “I’m not a street performer if you were wondering it,” he felt someone’s presence, and since he was asked that a few times, he decided to say something before he was asked.

@covairecitystarters​​

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Maeve had been leaning against a tree, minding her own business and eating a snack before her next shift at the Dominion. Heedlessly, she flicks an empty wrapper onto the ground. Then she looks around, consuming the sight of who’s there with as much hungry attention as that with which she bites her cherry cake from Piece of Cake. Upon swallowing, she thinks twice about littering and sends the wrapper flying up into a trash can with little more than a point of a finger. The music certainly ensnares her attention, but she hadn’t been planning on asking him anything. Now that he’s speaking to her, however; she has much to say. “I wasn’t thinking that at all,” she tells him with a light laugh, mulling over whether she should tell him what wicked things she’d really been wondering. Probably not. “But you do play very nicely. I can’t play anything with strings, but I can churn out an excellent Three Blind Mice on the wooden flute.” Holding out the cake, she offers, “Bite of my cherry?” Internally cackling at the innuendo. 

Of course, before she could even consider visiting her progeny, the Clyde to her Bonnie, she needed to have all of her things moved to her new place which glittered with the array of clothing, shoes, and intimates. Everything had its place and Dominique made sure everything was perfect, a grande display of her nature. Was it pretentious? Hardly, her ambition knew no bounds, but arrogant and spoiled? Most definitely. The Vampiress certainly had a taste for the finer things in life. She’d kept her arrival rather quiet, though she figured once she’d branch out, her name would hardly be forgotten. If it had, it didn’t bother her. At least one could say she exuded confidence. When all was said and done, it had already been night and the city seemed to come more alive. She could practically hear it all in the distance. As someone passed her by, she would stop them, her hand brushing carefully at their shoulder though she was mindful not to get too handsy. Eyes would stare at them, then at seemingly nothing as she’d let senses take over, ears attuned to everything. “Tell me,” she’d start, her voice smooth. “How far is the VIP/Elite Nightclub from the Eastside? Walking distance, perhaps?” Not that she was worried about walking around at night alone, though she supposed if company came along, she might be entertained. “I’m Dominique. New to the city. I’m afraid I don’t have my bearings quite yet. Would you mind showing me the way?” 

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Maeve is having quite the charming night. Finally, she’d got a job on the East Side, and at last she was able see the level of luxury that dominates the citizens who favour blood. It’s enough to blow her mind - the city centre doesn’t compare to anything that’s on show around here. So she’d scrubbed and cleaned the vampire client’s home with her usual immaculate attention to detail and not at all phased by the suspicious stains and flecks of skin all over the place letting her brooms and cloths do most of the work while she stared around wide-eyed and greedily inquisitive, half-temped to steal something as a memento. But she didn’t. Instead, she’d wandered around after leaving, charming her cleaning cart to follow behind her like some kind of possessed wheelbarrow. She’s having a jolly good time sight-seeing when Dominique encounters her, and she doesn’t even mind the unexpected touch to her shoulder.

“Ooh.” Pausing, her eyes roam brightly over the sophisticated woman. What a contrast they make, with Maeve in her stained and basic working clothes, her blonde hair scrunched high on the top of her head. “I’m Maeve. Welcome to Covaire. I was actually hoping to pass the King’s house before I leave.” She leans forward conspiratorially, eyebrows shooting into her hairline. “But I suppose you might not know where that is, being new and all?” Laughing, she reaches out and halts her cart. “The Club’s not too far. I can show you if you get us to the gate out of the East Side.” Frankly, Maeve has no idea where she's walking. Her plan had been to roam around taking in the scenery, then to follow the sound of traffic back to the city when she got bored; if she could hear any.  

Humming a rather pleasant tune, Maeve finishes up her drawing in the steam on the mirror. The object of the image is somewhat arguable. Is it a snowman with a huge stick arm? A marshmallow on a stick? More like a person with a knife through their heart.

The fact that other people want to wash their hands doesn’t even pique her interest. She may as well be alone in that bar’s bathroom, but on completing the picture with a carefully drawn heart, she turns and laughs to the frustrated woman behind her. 

“Interesting———? yes. Pleasant? Not always.“ Trevor doesn’t mind the lingering look, because there’s no intention behind it— seems to be mere curiosity, and that’s find with him. “I’m never a fan. Too much memories that I’m not interested in. But I’m happy for you.“

“I do, but they never compare to this——— we’ve lost two weeks of our life.“ He smiles politely then. “You should’ve been a chthonic then.“ With their dream manipulation, it was quite the match made in even for people with similar views as the mage. Trevor suddenly reminds himself of his manners, and extends his hand to the mage. “I’m Trevor.”

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Widening her hands in faux innocence, she responds- “Depends what side of the trick you’re on. Maybe you’ve only ever been on the wrong side.” She couldn’t disagree more with his latter comment. Imagine not being interested in your own life! What a problematic disability to have. People really should be more self-absorbed. “They’re still a part of you. I don’t think I could ever be uninterested in myself, no matter how dull or pointless the memories might be.” Brutally honest? Yes. Blindly arrogant? Absolutely!

Looking up at the fuzzy woman hovering in his vision, Mika watches her pull out a snack. The wrapper fluttered down behind her and landed at her feet with a soft rustle. As her face focuses in his once blurred vision he looks bemused at the troubling look on her face. Something about her seems… off. But before he can think much else of it she speaks, her question causing his brow to furrow. He looks around them, neck craning to glimpse their surroundings. “I guess so?” He mutters, obviously unsure of the whole situation. He really can’t remember anything. 

Odd. There were still a lot of things he was trying to get used to when it came to this new him. Looking up at the strange woman with the mop, he smiles as she stares into his eyes. Well, isn’t she a bit intense? At the question he blinks. “A client?” He repeats, still moving his arms mechanically. Up and down… down and up…

“Your guess is as good as mine.” He laughed, clicking his tongue as he sat up. “He took the other guy with him to get breakfast. Medium height… dark hair and eyes… has a bit of a temper which is weird for a mute guy… he’s like an angry cat when he scowls.“ Mika made a face before he brightened at the woman. "Anyway, I was told to hang here… and then you came in. Hi! Do you want to join me down here? It’s quiet…”

☆

Noting the fact that two other men could come back at any moment, Maeve finds herself pleasantly torn between the rational conclusion to be cautious and the divine want to live life on the edge and play with fate. She giggles. What a predicament. 

“No idea who you mean, but he sounds like a hoot!” Stepping back over the man’s legs, she gets her broom moving to sweep up the inordinate amount of dust covering the floor. It unceremoniously ruins the shape of Mika’s ‘snow angel’. “I like sassy kitties. So fierce but sooo cute, don’t you think?”

Stepping away a moment, she pokes her head around the bathroom door and tsks at the mess in there. No woman would leave it so smelly, that’s for sure. 

“I might come roll around with you down there later,” she finally answers, while opening a window with nothing but a whisper and twitch of her fingers. And narrowing her eyes just a little, she decides to yield just a little more to that luscious temptation. With a quick spell, she thins the air around Mika, making it tougher to breathe. Won’t do him much harm, but she’ll sure enjoy watching him splutter.