vatheon | Disciple attempts to avoid touching people.

Entry tags:

Disciple attempts to avoid touching people.

Who: Disciple and whoever wants to encounter her.
Where: Her Hive, The library and a few stops in between.
When: Current day, during the Curse.
Style:Starting Prose, will follow whatever you want.
Status: Open

--

She had learned earlier in the week just how debilitating this curse could be. One little touch, one errant brushing of skin and you were stuck, for upwards of hours. Being stuck had not been terrible for her, but she did not want a repeat. On the other hand, she was not going to let the curse rule her life. She had stuff she needed to do today, and if she had to risk going back out and being around people, then so be it. She would just have to play it safe, is all.

There were a few minor errands here and there, but most importantly she had finished all the books she had borrowed from the library and needed more. She had really taken a liking to other cultures and what they read for enjoyment, and now she needed more.

Disciple gathered the books to return, and headed out, her journey taking her to what was increasingly becoming one of her favorite places in Vatheon.

[OOC:Feel free to encounter her wherever you wish. If you want to get stuck together I am all for it. We can plot beforehand or you can just go for it, it will be fun. I am on Plurk as Xenguin if you wish to plot.]

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Since she freed herself from the last person she was attached to, Washu felt it might be safer to hide out in a place where its rare to encounter another person, besides her lab anyway.

That, and its about time she checked out what this place called a library and see if there was anything that might be interesting to the petite genius. Which, meant she was wandering all over the library.

Speaking of petite, Washu will eventually stumble upon a smaller-framed female troll perusing the stacks. The Disciple will have her back to pink-haired scientist when she sees her; giving Washu a view her the large tumble of black hair she has cascading down to her lower back.

The female troll is currently trying to retrieve a cookbook from the top shelf which is not easy considering her stature. A small pile of books sits carefully nearby on the ground as she has one leg up on one of the lowers shelves to act as an impromptu ladder as she reaches for her wanted book. It was not exactly the most stable of footings, to be sure.

Now this is interesting. Washu approaches the small female troll out of curiosity of just what was so important that the troll got herself in such a precarious position. After stopping a foot or two behind her, the small red head couldn't help but speak up to try and settle her curiosity.

"Hello~. Do you need some help?"

Disciple had been so caught up in her retrieval mission and the intoxicating scent afforded by all the surrounding books that she had not noticed the newcomer approaching from behind her. She had finally reached the wanted book, A dessert cookbook called '400 delicious desserts'. She had just started to remove it carefully, when the voice behind her speaks up.

Disciple was used to knowing what was going on around her, it was rare she let her guard down. Washu had spoken found her during one of those times. Her immediate reaction is tensing up from the surprise, which throws the book from her hand. Not wanting to damage the book, she impulsively reaches for it, throwing off her balance. Before she realizes it, she was falling from the shelf, her eyes wide in shock.

What happened next was almost in slow motion for the genius. First she noticed the tensing and could nearly predict what happened next. As Washu suspected the book went flying next and the other began to fall backwards.

If Washu had remembered about the curse, she would have moved out of the way and just let the other female hit the ground. Unfortunately this was one of those times where something so importantly trivial slipped her mind and she quickly held out her hands to try and catch the book seeking troll.

Which, ended up with both of them tumbling back into a conveniently materialized pillow so at least it was a soft landing.

The pair lands unceremoniously on the recently materialized pillow, the troll sprawled on top of the pink-haired scientist.

She was worried she might have hurt her, as light as she was. She starts to ask of she was alright, but then remembers the curse. Her blood still pumping from the fall, she tries to quickly remove herself from Washu.

Only... there is a sharp tugging sensation from her hair, keeping her low to the ground. Either the human she landed on was grabbing her hair, or... Oh no...

"I apologize for the fall, you seem to have startled me. I... uhh... do not suppose you happen to be simply pulling on my hair?" She hopes this human is just grabby...

While Washu does have grabby hands with certain cute males, this isn't the case. She winces a the tugs and pouts a little. Well this just wouldn't do. "Sorry, I'm not the one doing the pulling."

It takes a few moments but, she does hold up where Disciple's hair is attached to her hand and a few chunks of her own bright reddish pink hair. Thankfully, Washu wasn't hurt at all by the light female. "If you want to apologize, fine but I'm the one that startled you so why don't we decide we're both at fault and leave it at that."

"Oh, well... damn." She says resignedly in regards to Washu's first statement. There goes her quiet afternoon alone.

"Yes I suppose that works... Twice now this curse has gotten me. I suppose it beats being an electric furbeast, or chased by my nightmare... Oh, I am rambling!"

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am known as the Disciple. Though the 'the' is optional. Who might I have landed on?"

There goes both of their ideas about a quiet afternoon alone. "It's a pleasure to meet you Disciple. You can call me Little Washu."

She smiles a bit before experimentally tugging on the hair attacked to her hand. "You know, this is the second time the curse has caught me to and I must admit, this is already better then the last time."

She sighed as the hair remained attached to her hand for the moment. Well, they could just cut themselves are apart. That might be an option at least. "So, what do you mean you were an 'electric furbeast' ?"

"Little Washu it is then. I wish our first meeting could have been under more pleasurable circumstances, but that was not the way things were meant to pass it seems." The troll ponders for a second. She will give this curse something, it has forced her into being social. With how isolated she has been lately, it might not be terrible.

"Oh, that." She chuckles in response to Washu's question. "There was a curse that caused peculiar transformations to most of the visitors. I became a strange kind of furbeast. I crackled with electricity, and seemed to just keep generating it; I had to be careful not to touch anyone. I also could not speak correctly. It was a good thing my matesprit was transformed into something that could understand me, or it would have been a lonely week."

"That must have been one interesting experience. I'm sad to have missed that." It would have been a wonderful opportunity to gather data on creatures from other universes! Oh well, a genius can't have everything handed to her on a silver platter.

Sometimes she just has to make the platter and go collecting the fun bits herself. "You know, you're the second person that's mentioned 'matesprites' to me. Is it safe to assume that it's a term similar to 'husband' or 'wife'? Or is there something else to that term."

"It was... certainly an experience." Being unable to talk, trapped inside a body that could injure anyone who touches you. You know, fun.

"I am still learning about the human concepts of marriage, but it I suppose it would be something of an analog. To put it simply, It is a positive relationship entered into by two trolls feeling a strong sense of affection for each other. It also ties into other things, like reproduction. I have been told by the other species here that troll romance is complicated."

"Also, not to nitpick, but it does not have an 'e' the end of the word; matesprit. Do not worry about it, it is a common mistake, I have noticed."

"Well, at least its a common mistake to make. That doesn't make me feel so bad for making it."

Well that was a brief and informative explanation. It left the red-head wanting to know exactly why troll romances were so complicated. Since, well romance in general was never simple in any respect.

"Then how about this, I explain marriage to you and you can explain why troll romances are complicated. Think of it as a cultural exchange. Besides, I can tell you from experience that all types of romances are complicate, it's just that some are more complicated than others."

"Oh I suppose that seems fair. I know a bit about marriage from some books, but it might be good to get someones opinion on the matter."

Where to start, where to start...

"One of the major differences, from what I gather, is that unlike most other species, troll romance is divided into four different groups, or quadrants. Each plays a part in the social and romantic life of a troll once they reach maturity."

"I shall refrain from going into the more complicated parts of most, we'll keep it brief for now. I am a bit rusty myself, I... did not have to worry about them for most of my life."

"You already heard about matespritship, the connection of two through mutual romantic affection. You may also hear it described as the flushed quadrant, or to be flushed for someone. It is part of what is referred to the 'Red' romance group. The red romances are the ones tied to the more positive emotions. The other relationship in the red group is a moirallegiance."

"Moirallegiance is a platonic relationship between two trolls that watch over each other in a sort of mutual guardianship. Life on Alternia can be quite difficult and generally your moirail is there to watch over you and make sure you stay in line. I believe a close human analog would be a best friend, but it goes much deeper then that. A lot of moirails depend on each other for their very survival."

"That is the basics of the group. Not to hard to understand, I would say. Any questions at this point? I can elaborate a bit if you wish."

"So far, it seems to be very straight forward. I have yet to see what makes troll romances more complicated then human ones. But, I might just eat those words if you have more to explain."

Washu smiles a bit as she mentally notes and dissects what Disciple was relaying to her. Well, that did explain some things. But this was only the description of two of the four quadrants. Both of which, seemed deeper than the usual human analogs. So what was the next part about?

"There have been instances of humans developing bonds similar to what you described for your moirallegiance. Under the right circumstances, of course. Though it is rare. Usually the pair feel as close as siblings or twins regardless of physical or cultural differences."

"That is interesting, actually. It is good to know that other species can enjoy the wonders of a moirallegiance, or at least something similar. I myself only have prospects for moirails at the moment, but it is quite fulfilling."

"I suppose that brings us around to the black romance group. It deals more with the negative side of emotions. I will start off with the caliginous quadrant, or a kismesissitude. Whereas a matespritship is formed on strong feelings of affection, a kismesissitude is the opposite, in a way. When two trolls feel mutual hatred towards each other, hatred that is not platonic, they become kismesises. It is as much about procreation as a matespritship."

Now if it were only as easy as it sounded. Disciple was currently having issues getting a black romance off the ground. Again, she is quite rusty with her quadrants because of her special case.

"That leaves us with the final black romance; the ashen quadrant, or auspisticism. Unlike the other three, this quadrant actually has three participants, not just the two. It serves a need for when a kismesissitude is too dangerous or unbalanced for the trolls involved, and those around them. A third party, who is called a auspistice, will step in to mediate the interactions of the two trolls, and prevent them from spiraling downward and hurting themselves and others. It can be a bit of a thankless job, and usually only results in romantic feelings for the auspistice themselves."

"There it is, the basics. There is more two it, like how when pairings and group up and start vacillating, but that can be explained later, if you wish. Some of it might be a bit off, especially the black group, for most of my life I was blessed with a matesprit that fulfilled me in a way that is hard to describe. I never worried about the quadrants for a good portion of the time I have been alive, and have only recently been thrust back into the thick of it."

"So, let me get this straight. Your species practices hate sex as another form of procreation. Along with mediated rivalries." Washu pauses to consider that and frowns a little. A lot of what was described reminded her of Ryoko and Ayeka in a sense. Except minus the "romance" portion.

Chances are even that minor example from her world didn't come close to the concept of the trolls black romances. As complicated as they sound, it also sounds fascinating from an anthropological perspective. But, difficult to observe.

"I wouldn't mind hearing about how this comes about when you have time. The concepts of your romances sounds interesting from a scientific perspective."

"That is one way to put it, I suppose. It is sort of difficult to fully capture the emotions that go into them. Like I mentioned I might not be the best to try and describe such things. My matesprit and I did not always have the most traditional matespritship." You know, being based more off what might be considered normal for humans in a relationship, as opposed to trolls who base their red romance off pity.

"I might have you talk to my descendant, Nepeta. She the interest in the quadrants I had when I was young, and she does not have my many sweeps isolation to alter her views on the subject."

"Then I will have to do that at some point. I have to admit, your entire culture seems fascinating from my perspective just like the human culture is probably just as fascinating to you."

"I may have taken an interest, yes..."

[She glances at her pile of books nearby, most of which related to human social constructs.]

"In particular, I have been reading up on human religions, baking, and as you already know, relationships. Learning about other cultures is one of the better past-times here in the bubble. With so many diverse backgrounds colliding together it helps to understand the strange dynamics that arise."

Well, she did notice the books so it was a safe assumption to make. "I couldn't agree more. Just let me know if you have any questions about human behavior and I'll be happy to help point you to an answer."

"Oh, I am sure I will have questions at some point. Nothing immediately comes to mind. A suppose a similar offer would be agreeable in return. If there is anything more of my culture you seek more knowledge of, I will try to answer to the best of my abilities."

"When I think of something I'll ask. It looks like we're well on our way to a cultural exchange of sorts~."

"Yes, we shall call ourselves representatives of our respective species. It will be quite informative."

She pauses, wry smile on her face.

"Once, that is, we stop being quite so stuck together."

"That sounds like a plan to me~."

Washu holds up her hand attached to Disciples hair and just smiles a little. "Honestly? I figured out a solution ages ago. How do you feel about scissors?"

Disciple by nature was not an incredibly vain creature. But, by and large, the one feature she possesses that she is overly fond of, is her hair. The concept of taking scissors to it, no matter the reason fills her with a little dread.

"I... would hesitate to resort to scissors." She remakes as there is only a teeny tiny, slight hint of panic in her voice." This curse does not last the full week, most of them. It should not be too long of a wait, as to require the use of shears of any kind. It is more of a reason to get to know such an interesting alien, at least."

Washu just raises an eyebrow at that. Well, there went that idea. "I see. Oh well, then I guess we just have to wait it out. Though, with the right cuts, I would barely be taking anything off to begin with."

But, if Disciple didn't want to do it, she wasn't going to force the issue. "So, what were you trying to get off the shelf before?"

Disciple sighs, with a bit of relief.

"Oh? The book? I was attempting to grab a cookbook, actually; One for desserts. Another troll friend of mine got me interested in baking and I have been wanting to try something more complex. Human cuisine is surprisingly varied. To think that there is at least 400 different variations of a dessert dish..." There is a hint of amazement in her voice.

"There's more than 400 variants. There are thousands of different deserts. Some more complex then others and all of them are delicious."

That hint of amazement is adorable~. Washu might just have to offer cooking lessons if Disciple is that curious about cooking.

"I have gotten most of the simple baked goods down pat. Muffins, cupcakes, uhhh... normal cakes. But some of the stuff in these books that I see... they are a little daunting. Like a Souffle, everything has to be so exact..."

"Things like that just take practice. Once you get the science down, it's not as daunting a you think."

"Well then I guess I just have a lot of the science to get down still. My first forays into the baking world were less then stellar. Lately, at least, all my stuff is at least tasty and presentable."

"Oh~? Well if you need help, I'd be more than willing to lend a hand. I'm decent at baking. After all, it's just edible chemistry."

"Edibl...I will take your word on that." Because that did not just sound more complicated to her, totally.

"I am always looking for pointers, really. It is an interest I was not aware I had until I came here to the bubble. Back on Alternia I never really had the time to explore such a pursuit."

"You do that." Washu just smiles.

"Why couldn't you? Didn't they bake back on your homeworld?"

"Oh no, do not get me wrong, trolls would make back home, I just never really got a chance to, is all." Busy life for the matesprit of the rebel leading the movement against the Condesce.

"Then you must have been rather busy back home."

Does she get into that with a stranger? It was quite the long story... who knows, maybe she will get into it. Talking about it cannot hurt anything, other then bring up bad memories, but she has mostly come to terms with them.

"That is one way to put it, I think. My matesprit, Signless, lead an equality movement on my planet. I was actually how I met him, how he saved me. I spent most of my life following him, avoiding the highbloods and their enforcers. It did not leave a lot of time for culinary pursuits."

She listens as a thoughtful look graces her features. Well, that was interesting. It must have been hard going through something like that and she can definitely see why cooking interest Disciple now that they were away from that.

Washu shakes her head a bit and sighs. "Well, at least you don't have to deal with that here, correct?" She tilted her head a bit. "And.. I have yet to meet this Signless of yours. Why is he called that?"

"No we do not. Well... It is not quite that simple. At least one remnant of the highbloods that we rebelled against. Their top enforcer, The Grand Highblood has found his way to this place alongside everyone else. I have thankfully avoided seeing him... I do not know how I would react if I did." Disciple pauses for just a second, as she lets herself think.

"Signless is called that because that is what he is... or at least was. All trolls upon reaching maturity are given a symbol. Signless was not because of his blood. His blood-color is candy red and what the highbloods consider a mutation. Usually a troll like that is culled, or just left to die. He did not go through the trials like most to get a Lusus, He was taken care of by another troll, by the name of the Dolorosa. She raised him as if she were his lusus, and by doing so gave him a chance at life." She continued.

The story vaguely reminds her of a few others she's heard around her universe. Nothing quite to this extent, but vaguely similar enough to remind Washu of them.

"Then I guess I should be a little more cautious around Highblood. Though, he is a rather interesting troll if you take the right precautions." She shrugged a little. True, she's only had limited contact with that one but to her, he didn't seem like that much of a threat. Just a little... unhinged. No more then some other people she could think of from her world.

"Have there been others like him? Signless I mean."

"I am not sure I would ever call that monster interesting." She grumbles, The Highblood was certainly the stuff of nightmares. She would know, she had her own share of them.

"Usually not. Those not taken by a lusus are culled. There has been, as far as I know right now, one exception to that rule, other then Signless. That would be his descendant, Karkat."

"From my point of view, every one of your species is interesting enough to gain my attention." Whether that was a good thing or not remained to be seen. At least she hasn't invited anyone down into her lab... yet.

"Only two? One would think with the various variants of blood withing your species, their particular mutation would appear more than twice."

"Oh do not get me wrong, there very well may have. I just am speaking from personal knowledge. Regardless, from what I understand it is an extremely rare occurrence. No doubt, in part, due to the Condesce." Disciple practically spits out the name.

Someone really hates that name. Now why is that? "Condensce? Who is that?"

"The queen-bitch behind it all. The Empress of my people. She and her brute squads are the reason everything we lived and fought for was eventually brought to ruin... Well, mostly. We were broken and scattered, but, through miracle, Signless' word managed to survive." Disciple fails to mention her part in the so-called miracle that allowed his word to live on.

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