week 1

[arsholes]

[Yesterday was, to say the least, an eventful time. 21 people waking up in an alarming kidnapping situation, tempers got heated, salt was thrown, the usual flavor of shenanigans.

Your Alchemist made his appearance, got into several arguments, scruffed a teen and nailed a god. All in all, a productive time! It doesn’t seem like he’ll be making any more public appearances this week but he did say to give him a call.

If you don't want to converse with the Alchemist, there's a whole tower to explore! Check out all the dusty nooks and crannies, read some smutty literature, try to build a death ray, take a cozy bath- the Montessori method of learning. Curiously, starting on Monday there are mysterious leaflet catalogs scattered in several rooms of the tower. There’s no shop name on it, but there are pictures of a variety of fun and fanciful items, just a preview of the many rare and/or exotic goods you could get from one of the shop's Grand Opening Sale blind boxes. There is also a large wooden chest that has appeared in the Entrance Hall right next to the grand entrance doors, despite the fact that they remain locked. A locked mailbox hangs on the wall above the box, along with several envelopes. The mailbox says "CATALOG ORDERS", and there is a handwritten note that adds: "Write your name on the envelope as well as your order. INCLUDE PAYMENT, or it's no deal. <3"

In related news, many of you will also be receiving mysterious gold coins on top of your trunk – maybe this is the payment referenced?


Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday


(( OOC: This will be the last mod post for this week! Feel free to start submitting catalog orders for any threads that aren't with the Alchemist. This is a peace week, so get all that CR while you can! ))

Comments

Storage Room

[spitessier]

It's excessive. These are meant to be communal supplies, have some restraint.

[Katsuya says that, going for grooming supplies as well. He needs some, you know! Gotta try to freshen himself up after the absolutely horrendous night he had! Besides, he does care about his personal appearance a lot]

[seaweedwrap]

You have some restraint. [petulantly, oh my god Wu are you five] It takes a lot to keep my skin as healthy as it is, and none of the supplies are even close to being up to quality standard! There aren't even face masks here, much less a spa!

[spitessier]

I have been told a few times what matters in beauty care isn't the quality of the product, but the way you use it.

[Well, the quality does influence somewhat, but it's not the only factor! Or so he has been told]

[seaweedwrap]

Whoever told you that was wrong. [Wu sounds SO OFFENDED by this] Both quality and know-how, or having access to the people that have the know-how, that matters.

[spitessier]

Is that how it is?

[Katsuya stares at the care products he had picked up]

And you said the quality in these ones is lacking? I had hoped some skillful use would be enough to compensate for any potential flaw in the quality...

[Katsuya pretty much listens to what anyone tells him about this kind of topic, and now Wu is the latest person who told him about this, so he's taking Wu's words as the truth, yup]

[seaweedwrap]

Oh, you can certainly make do with proper use. But you can't expect them to function as well as a better quality product.

Take this skin cream, for example--[he'll select a bottle, turning it over to the back]--look at all the excess of ingredients in here! Now, normally you'd think you'd want more, but by putting them all in one cream rather than spreading them out over different mediums, you might be getting less bottles to remember, but you're also getting less of each ingredient that your skin needs, so you'd have to use more, which doesn't even always work because there's only so much your skin can absorb--

[he can go on forever about this, and absolutely will if not stopped]

[spitessier]

[Unfortunately for us both, Katsuya is absorbing every word as if it's gospel. This is a man who keeps up with fashion and trends to give the impression he's suave and attractive, when he's neither. Apparently it works, yeah. So he listens to every word Wu says.

He doesn't look fascinated, but he sure listens to every word with the utmost seriousness]

[seaweedwrap]

[HILARIOUSLY, THEY ARE TWO PEAS IN A POD IN THIS. That is the same reason why Wu keeps up with fashion and trends.] --and you have to apply it so many more times a day. Which, if it's a face cream or anything that needs to be applied before other items, it's neigh impossible to plan for.

[Wu sighs, then, looking at what he's collected.]

I'm honestly really worried about my skin! How am I going to upkeep my glowing complexion with this paltry of supplies? There isn't even a cheap, knock-off seaweed wrap.

[spitessier]

I see. I...was mistaken, you were right.

[This may be the only topic Katsuya will listen to Wu about with something close enough to respect, haha]

It's unlikely you'll find something suitable. I'm sorry to say it but you'll have to make do with what's available here and hope for the best.

[These next few weeks are going to wreck you, pal, that's for sure]

[seaweedwrap]

[Wu groans, flopping dramatically back onto the floor from where he's seated] As if this place couldn't get any worse. [he stares at the ceiling] How am I supposed to live like this? What happens if my skin breaks out?!

[spitessier]

No matter what you do, don't ask the Alchemist for help or for anything better than this. He won't have your best interests in mind.

[Don't give the bad guys a chance to influence you!]

[seaweedwrap]

You think he wouldn't give them to me?

[spitessier]

I think instead he'd use the chance to torment you. Perhaps tampering with products, or taking the chance to humiliate you somehow. You saw what kind of person he is.

[He's pretty sure the Alchemist is that kind of person!]

[seaweedwrap]

[hmmm YIKES. That's a really good point and something he didn't think of but now that he's thinking of it hhhhh]

Whatever metalbending he did...he didn't hesitate with it.

[spitessier]

Indeed. The Alchemist is untrustworthy and you shouldn't expect any good faith from him.

[And his abilities are terrifying, but Katsuya is sure a point will come when combat will be necessary. Still, he'd have to make so many preparations for that time to come because failure will mean death]

[seaweedwrap]

I--no. [Wu shakes his head, having gone a little paler.] He's...pretty scary.

[spitessier]

[Uf, this guy is out of his depth, that's plain as day. Katsuya clutches his beauty care products and looks at Wu with a lot of determination]

I'll do all I can to protect you and everyone else. I won't make any promises, but it's my duty as an officer of the law to fight for you and everyone else's safety.

If the worst happens and a confrontation occurs, stay behind me.

1/4

[seaweedwrap]

[Wu kind of just...stares at Katsuya throughout all of that. It's...noble. Kind. And really, really cool??? It feels like something Mako would say--that whole attitude and competence is why Wu decided to request him as his bodyguard in the first place. To be told he'll be protected like that...it makes something in his stomach flutter and tighten a bit, especially when he's honestly more scared than he's ever been in his life.]

You'll...protect me?

[seaweedwrap]

[Wu's bottom lip quivers a bit and his eyes go a little glassy...just moments before he flings himself at Katsuya, wrapping his arms around his shoulders]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! This whole kidnapping thing is the scariest thing I've ever experienced, but with you protecting me, I have nothing to worry about!

[seaweedwrap]

[Wu pulls back a bit, but he's still keeping an arm around Katsuya's shoulders] This is great! It'll be so much easier to get through this with a friend. Me and my new buddy,...

4/4

[seaweedwrap]

[...wait. Wu trails off a moment, frowning a bit, tilting his up to look at Katsuya]

...what is your name, again?

[spitessier]

[The hug was completely unexpected. Katsuya would have never imagined someone could be so forward! Katsuya goes completely stiff, his hands up in the air, he really not knowing how to react! When Wu gets his arm over Katsuya's shoulders, this detective finally begins snapping out of it somewhat]

...Katsuya Suou. It's Katsuya Suou.

[seaweedwrap]

[and Wu picks up right there, like he never had to stop to just ask his name] Me and my buddy, Katsuya! [he throws out the arm not around his shoulder, palm faced out, moving his arm like he's reading the words in the air in front of them] Two pals, gettin' through this kidnapping situation together!

[spitessier]

I guess?

[Well it's not like that's wrong, they have to get through this kidnapping situation together, but still, wow, this is so casual Katsuya has no idea what to do, haha!]

Can you let go of me already?

[He is pretty much frozen and stiff, anyone could tell he's not used to physical contact of any sort, haha]

[seaweedwrap]

[Wu blinks at that because he absolutely had not noticed that. He laughs a bit, almost knowingly, and retracts his arm--] Ohhh, I gotcha. [--only to pat Katsuya on the shoulder instead] Gotta play the tough cop, huh? Don't worry, I'm picking up what you're puttin' down. [W I N K]