(IC) Take a stroll with the OC above!

walk with her. >:( /lh

@ NP: feel free to go ham with this prompt... Brown has a pretty strong preference for nature walks, though, as well as anything that’s related to those darn fossils of hers. :3c

also I’m on my phone atm, so formatting is poop, but. maybe I’ll do a follow-up for NP if I have the time.

"Ah, it's been a hot minute, hasn't it?" Stephanie blurted, the bottoms of her boots lightly scraping along the path while she walked. The younger party absolutely was not invited on this walk, but want to know who was? An even younger blonde, who was now lagging behind and keeping her eyes glued to the ground.

"Well, I absolutely think it was. Man, I miss seeing your mug everywhere." Upon completing her sentence, Stephanie lifted up her chin and brushed her hair over her shoulders. The blue mascara gunked on her eyelids became more visible as the teenager fluttered her eyelashes. As soon as she heard a squeak sounding from behind her, Stephanie whipped her head around and barked,

"Shut up, bitch. No one was talking to you. Anyways..." she continued, brandishing a smarmy smirk before tilting her head back to Brown.

"Ooh, don't get in such a tizzy! I'll be leaving soon; I'm supposed to meet up with some girlfriends, anyways. Why don't I tell you a funny story while we're together, hm?" she inquired, her smarmy grin growing while she perked her head up.

"Ooh, we could get along. You're quite enamored with Blondie, right? I'll tell you something funny about her, then." Upon completing her sentence, Stephanie glanced over her shoulder, pursing her lips at the younger blonde before stepping over to the older brunette and craning her head closer to her ear.

"One time, Blondie and I out walking after school, and—no, wait, important detail! It rained a few hours before, so there were puddles everywhere! Anyways, you should have seen her clumsy ass—she tripped right into a puddle! Oh my God, you should have seen the look on her face. It was fucking priceless!"

After she finished speaking, Stephanie barked out a laugh, brandishing a grin after she finished. She examined the elder party's expression, raising her eyebrows while waiting for her to react.

"Looks like we're parting ways, then. Whatever. I'll see you at school tomorrow, Blondie; you're in for a treat," Stephanie continued, smacking her lips before abruptly turning her body and speed-walking down another street.

Peaches cupped her hands, slowly twiddling her thumbs as she did so. She was hanging out with someone way older than her. And this girl was infamous for bullying others. Specifically another blonde.

She nervously smiled, trying not to show her fear. If she was so scared of Stephanie, why was she walking with her? It didn't make sense. She shook it off. Besides, could she even be that bad?

"So miss Stephanie!" Peaches exclaimed, trying her best to stay positive. "How was your day today? I've heard you got birds! What are they like??" She tried to keep her eye patch in place. She only struggled to keep it up and then..

She tripped over on a rock.

The helk was feeling a bit lonely, not to mention hungry. So she asked her mutual Peaches, who was next to her, and this might be a long walk. Andrea wanted to walk on all fours, but didn't because the format might look very strange. "So uhh, how was your day? Mine went smoothly, but.." the helk put her hand on her stomach, which was making gurgling noises. "I'm a bit hungry, so you and I can buy some food, does that sound good?" Andrea looked at her, with semi-tired eyes, but the two kept walking. Andrea held onto Peaches, so she couldn't be lost, or kidnapped in a bad case scenario. The helk's hooves were clicking as she increased her stride, making several stops for upcoming people in her and Peaches's way. "Don't mind me keeping you closer, I just don't want to lose you in a crowd, or getting taken." Andrea said to Peaches, they were almost at the nearby snack shack for her and Peaches to pick up some food from. "Here we are, let me get my wallet so we can eat." The helk smiled at Peaches, who was standing next to a '6"5 tall creature.

     "I must admit, I don't think I've ever seen a Helk before, though I'm still glad you're walking with me," Yeli said with a gentle laugh. "There are occasionally coyotes and other wild animals that come down. It can be very scary, so I was a little startled when I first saw you. I'm sorry for the judgement, you're clearly more sentient, and definitely kind enough to not harm my flowers unlike them." Another chuckle.
     Yeli glanced upwards for a bit, watching the birds fly away  into the pink and blue sky. "I always love walking around the neighborhood in the mornings," he commented. "The sunrise is so beautiful, and you can catch people starting their day. I often wonder how the rest of the day will be for them. Will it be good? Will they end it on a happy note? I hope so. Is that silly?" he smiled lightly at Andrea before looking back forward. "The grocery store is a few blocks away. I might stop by there if you'd like to join me? There's a coffee shop not too far from it that I'd like to buy you a treat from. It's the least I could do as thanks for joining me on this walk."

Going on a stroll with Yeli, alone, was certainly not something Tiberius would go out of his way to do. Sure, the whole BBQ thing had helped his nerves calm a bit, but he still knew something was just... off about the other man. He couldn't quite place it, and when he had asked his brother in law to look into him, nothing had come up. Nothing abnormal was happening over at Yeli's, the neighbors only speaking highly of him, although Ty had noticed how a few seemed to have just... a look in their eyes when he had asked their opinions of him. Like their gut and brain were telling them different things. Ty knew that feeling well, and never wanted to be caught alone with Yeli.

Although there he was, alone with him as they walked down the sidewalk together in what Tiberius hoped was a comfortable silence. They merely had met up by coincidence, or so Tiberius hoped anyways. He really wanted nothing to do with this whole situation, but there they were. "I never got to thank you for inviting me to that neighborhood BBQ, so, uh, thanks. It was a lot more fun than I thought, I'm not one big on social events." He laughed half-heartedly, the smile on his face not quite reaching his eyes.

He really just wanted their paths to diverge as soon as possible, but they still had a bit of a ways to go before they could safely part without raising any sort of suspicion. Tiberius walked carefully, choosing his actions to avoid himself from seeming uncomfortable. He was always good under any sort of pressure, but it was hard for him to balance his work attitude and his personal one. He wouldn't be surprised if Yeli could see right through him.

Getting lost once again, separated from family is once again a horrific nightmare for The Flagbearer, whose curiousity constantly gets him lost. Luckily, a man named Tiberius offered to help the boy find his way back to his family.

During their walk Tudor was fascinated by the man's equipment, advanced gadgets that he has only seen with his adopted sister Candida would most likely use, but even his clothing seemed advanced. Despite his almost giant-like height compared to Tudor's small height for his age, Tiberius seemed to be humorous and a gentle giant, easing the boy's worries. Tudor tries to reply in English, but sometimes he slips up and ends up adding his native language of Japanese into the sentence.

Overall Tudor began to become fond of Tiberius as they took their walk through the town Tudor got lost in. They eventually found Tudor's family (adopted by he treats them as if they were biological). The Flagbearer would thank the man for his help, before he scurried back to the safety of his family, hoping to see the man again.

.

Note for @NP: Tudor can't really speak English well and it is best to prevent him from getting lost! Might be nice if your OC can understand Japanese, but go with whatever! I might try to follow up!

     The weather was exceptionally great today-- another sign of a beautiful spring to come! And with all the snow melted, the berries and herbs could flourish once more! That was exactly why Ennette was out and about now, to find some more to concoct medicine with, and possibly new ones she could study better! In her arms was an empty picnic basket she'd use to store the herbs, save the wildlife journal she had inside, and her trusty lyre, Liszt.
     She strummed a soft melody while humming along with it when she heard the sound of a branch breaking. Quickly turning around, she saw what seemed to be a young man that looked more scared than aggressive. "Oh!" she gasped. "I-It's okay! I won't hurt you, I promise!" When the figure got closer, she asked who he was and why he was here. He seemed very shy, with fragmented English. The language he reverted to occasionally, it sounded... Japanese?
     "Sorry, I'm not familiar with Japanese," she frowned. "What about Italian, do you speak that?" she asked in said language. When a confused stare was given in response, her frown deepened. "I suppose we'll have to work with English. But! What you were saying was just fine, to me! You have a good grasp on it!" She paused, then looked forward, then back at him. "I was going to pick some berries and plants. Would you like to join me? The field I'm going to is very beautiful!" She gestured to her lyre. "I can play you a song, too!"

     The two set off, and Ennette, true to her word, resumed her song. In the time of their walk together, they both learned more about each other, including their names and current positions. A Flagbearer was a very interesting title, in the princess's opinion, but considering what went into it, she thought Tudor was a fine person for the job. The two talked more and even taught each other how to say Italian and Japanese phrases.
     Walking alone could be calming, but walking with a friend was always something Ennette enjoyed.

It had been a while since he had taken a little time for himself, ever since... well, he changed his job? Or rather since he got his job as he didn't really have one before. Now he was a reaper... not here to take anyone. Just enjoying a quiet moment in a place that resembled the one he had spent so many years in. For a while there was nothing to hear but the birds and the wind, until there was someone humming a melody. He opened his dark blue eyes again to see Ennette who was collecting herbs, it seemed. Did she want to poison someone? From what she was collecting it looked a little like it. 

"Please don't be scared, Miss..." he said, smiling at the princess. It was just... probably a useful warning since he may have looked a little intimidating; being rather tall, with the scar across his eye and the cracks that were visible underneath his skin, especially with the rolled up sleeves. "But... if you don't mind me asking... what exactly are you planning on doing with those herbs?" He already feared that he had, in fact, scared her, but she did reply and explain. "Then you might want to try a few different plants..." Zero suggested. "I could show you, if you like. I have spent... quite some time studying healing plants." Actually he didn't have anything better to do for hundreds of years, but that was just an unnecessary detail. 

"That would mean you have to bear with my company though." the reaper chuckled. Since Ennette seemed to agree he joined her on her little walk, explaining some things about different plants and their healing properties, as well as their use in dishes or even in poison. It took him a while to realize he hadn't introduced himself. After spending years alone it just didn't occur to him. "I am terribly sorry for being rude and not introducing myself." he finally said. "I am afraid I don't really have a name anymore, so it is just... Zero, if you like." his humble bow looked outdated but still seemed to fit his character. 

"Well deforestation is part of progress. The catalyst of human progress," The rich merchant spoke. The forest around them was eerily quiet. Not that Jan-Paul noticed it though. His golden-shoes creaked with every step and he boasted and bragged every moment. He simply had no time to listen.
"I want to build new mines around here," he told Zero. He beames the reaper a smile. As his eyes darted over the man's broken face. Slightly uneased Jan-Paul's smile faltered for a bit.
"It will make countless people rich, give others a job to work at," Jan-Paul explained. "Mines are made of wood, did you know? The beams, the barracks, the train tracks, everything on a mining field is made of wood," he explained. "It's just a small price to pay for the wealth we delve," he excused himself. "That's life."

The gold merchant placed his hands into his pockets and took a deep breath.
"Wood and meat is what keeps those mines open," he mused aloud. Before giving Zero a slightly more strained smile.
"I suppose you don't understand."
He had the nerves to tell Death right right in it's face that it had a hard time 'keeping up'. "Things have changed since you set a foot in that forest you spoke off. The world has changed," the young man said.
Jan-Paul leaned backward and allowed his gaze to scan the tree tops. It was a shame though. Jan-Paul liked the forest. The smell of rain, the thrill of a duck-hunt. But humans were always pushed by greed and process. This time it was Jan-Paul's men that were going to cut down the forest. Next time? Who knows. All Jan-Paul knew that there would definitely be a 'next time'.

"There are woods more East from here," he said. As he stepped over a loose branch on the forest path. "Grown for ships and shipping. It's a fake forest. The trees are planted in a pattern. There is no to little undergrowth," he told Zero. "But it's a forest. Right? It has trees. They chop, they regrow. I want to know, my interesting strolling partner, what do you think of those?" Jan-Paul halted his steps to strengthen his words.
"Is a planted forest still a forest? Or are we humans prohibited from ever plan and plant," he asked. With this small little, almost taunting smile on his lips. "Are we, in your eyes, forbidden to ever chop and build? Or is there a middle ground."

Thanks to the towering buildings and constant chitter-chatter of the passerby flanking the duo, Rochester was so fucking close to losing her mind. She could feel it, and yet she didn't. For now.

She instead opted to cough into her sleeve and remark coolly to the merchant, "So... Let me guess. You want some guidance from a hapless old woman to make yourself look sympathetic towards the people?", with her usual teasing lilt. Which wasn't an optimal option by any means, of course! The elder, in fact, raised her brow and kept herself close to the Easterling even as they passed through the streets.

Oh, to be a (rogue) scientist trailing alongside one of the rising stars in the Drakenburg sphere... Rochester most likely should've seen it as an honor, but she still would've lost her absolute fucking shit if her growing acquaintanceship with the upper-class, most-likely-not-Krett merchant was mentioned. Tragically, of course.

"Or do you just want me to guide you to the best fruit?" she asked in a more wry whisper, her brow raising in the process, "I know that you have a penchant for those apples, but..." Rochester clicked her tongue against her palate. "... There can be a decent amount of fruits out there in the marketplace, if you look hard enough. I have experience in the more exotic cultivars, anyhow. As in... Like..." She held out her hand and started to list the possible fruit varieties with her digits.

"... Mangoes... Kiwis... Pears... Peaches... Blueberries..." By this point, all of her fingers were outstretched, yet she didn't feel like lifting any more. Instead, Rochester turned her attention back over to the young Easterling just to see how he reacted to each of the mentioned fruits - particularly any that captured his interest... For better or for worse, really. It didn't matter whether he was intrigued or absolutely horrified; Rochester would've found contentment in some sort of reaction from the merchant either way. For better or for worse.

With a snort, Rochester afterwards grunted, "I doubt that purchasing any of these should be a hassle for you, considering your..." Fucking finally, Rochester hesitated for a second. "Wealth," she muttered more bitterly moments later- Oh. Never mind then! "At least in the practical sense," Rochester sighed while kicking aside a stray pebble, "I have no idea what the fuck you crave at the moment, but I hope it's not... Apples. Again."

Truth be told, Rochester didn't mind if the Easterling badgered her into buying apples. Fruit was fruit. That was probably what made the entire stroll worth it, as Rochester took a slight step towards the youth. After all, she was going to need that apple afterwards; there was far too much in her mind at the moment to tolerate stalls upon stalls for much longer...

maybe I'll do a follow-up for NP if I have the time?? perhaps??

"You're interested in spirits I've heard?" Yoshihiro chuckled lightly. "Well then, maybe you are in luck here." Of course that hint was not completely selfless, he also was very curious about that other world, like it seemed, one close to this one, overlapping in some places. One of those places was his school - not entirely a coincidence why he took up this job. Possibly, he hoped, Mitchell might share something he did not already know himself.

"I honestly don't know why, but this school seems rather busy with otherworldly guests." The principal explained, looking around the darkening hallways. Not long before everything would be pitch black. "If you care to stick around, you might be able to see some of them. Especially in the abandoned part of the building." Without really waiting for an answer Yoshihiro led the detective deeper into the building, specifically the part that was closed off during day. At night he opened all the doors, as he had noticed some spirits gravitating towards specific rooms. 

Usually he was alone around this time of the night, but having Mitchell's company was rather pleasant. "I do have some tea, if you'd like." he remembered. "Earl Grey." the man took a deeper breath, tilting his head slightly, a somewhat mischievous grin on his face. "Maybe after we have taken a little stroll through the building? They should be getting more active by now." Which meant chances of seeing them were higher. They did prefer the darkness, as he had observed. Some of them possibly because they were looking a little disfigured - not that he cared. Sometimes he was not sure hof self-aware they were, the longer they stayed in this place. He was also yet to find out why they stayed here. It seemed like this building was not the first to stand here, as some spirits did not quite look like they belonged here. 

     "Must we really walk, dearie? Isn't it rather custom for meetings to take place in your office? Stationary I might add?" Nikolai whined as he plodded behind the principal that had caught him asleep in the classroom. Again. For the third time. This week. Once caught he'd claimed he had merely been blinking very slowly by the time Yoshihiro had entered, but when you had a track record like him, it was only inevitable to have to have a performance review.
     Nikolai yawned then scratched his heads, blearily trying to keep up with Yoshihiro. Was he saying something? The Sin wasn't listening, trying to tough out staying awake long enough to sleep in his car. Or that bench. Although now that he was looking the principal's way, he had to admit the man had a rather nice figure. Very tall, very lean, and with a mysterious yet dashing smile. Hmm, maybe he should stay awake more often?
     "Mmm, just where exactly are we headed, darling?" mused Nikolai as he noticed subtle signs of neglect in the gardens and on the walls. "I overheard students now and then talking about an abandoned side. Are we going there?" He suddenly laughed. "Is this where you conduct all your meetings, dearie? No wonder the kids say ghosts are around!" He laughed it off, yet something didn't feel right. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing on end, and even Sloth, in his apathetic way, was telling him to be on guard.
     Well.
     At least today wasn't too uneventful.