[Open] Say cheese?

[senseandcecilbility]

Who: Kevin Cecil and you
When: 1/6, 1/7
Where: CERES Gardens
What: Flowers! Pictures! Discomfiture! 
Rating/Warning: none


[A florist! Kevin is a florist! He has never been a florist before, which is saying a lot considering he has been around for quite a bit. It is all right, though. He is nothing but thorough, and if he is going to sell this world's flowers, he might as well learn everything about them. With some trepidation and a few involuntary detours - oh dear, was that a neighborhood of ill repute? - he manages his way into the most bizarre railway system. Honestly, the entire thing is underground and as claustrophobic as any coal mine. Is that a distant and more forbidding relative of London's horror? Why anyone would ever consider that a good idea is quite beyond him. But thank goodness his efforts are amply rewarded when he emerges from the depths of earth to the most luxuriant sights and sounds of Ceres Gardens. Ahh, that was exactly what he had been praying for!

This place is very different from the Master and Mistress' peaceful Victorian garden, and not quite as wild as Eden itself. Although he is fully capable of recognizing some of the flora, the hard truth is that another equally large number of species baffle him. There is some spot of trouble with a grumpy groundkeeper when he attempts to collect some samples for entirely taxonomic purposes, but it all ends well after a young lady - she couldn't be over eighty - invites him to sit by her side, and proceeds to tell him everything about her six grandchildren and four house cats. By the end of their conversation, Kevin has learned a great deal about house cats, but also about how to use his CereVice to take daguerreotypes of cats or whatever catches his fancy.  

Instantaneous pigmented daguerrotypes, no less. My, what will people invent next? 

After saying goodbye to the nice lady, he resumes his stroll and starts to take photographs of all the flowers. Sadly, he lacks both the technique and etiquette to do that properly, so if you were to turn around, you might find yourself face to face with a tall stranger wearing a very intent expression and taking pictures of you. 

Though what he is aiming at is that cherry tree just behind you, really.] 

Comments

[hagureoni]

[Senkimaru still didn't exactly trust this land, considering he's only been here for like a month, but what better way was to try and be prepared for an enemy than knowing their own land? Or at least, that's how he had approached his problem previously, for the better or worse... actually, he can never make a judgement out of it, now that their world has been destroyed.

In his exploration he hadn't expected to come across a place that looked so pretty - or at least pretty to him, as a rogue demon you learned to appreciate places that actually could grow something. And so, being absorbed in his past, he hasn't expected this- this thing that was staring him in the face when he turned around. Or the mand holding it, for the matter.

Senkimaru furrows his eyebrows.]

Just what are you doing?

[senseandcecilbility]

[Kevin's approach to this brave new world is a little more unsophisticated: young master is here, ergo everything is fine. Well, perhaps not everything, but he must admit that his primary concern has been assuaged. Things like his world being destroyed can be sorted out...eventually. He is in no particular hurry, though he will do whatever is required of him since dragging his feet could affect young master's well being, and that, that would be simply unacceptable.

Senkimaru has the honor of being the first person to complicate his worldview. He was so focused on the cherry tree that he didn't notice the...presence. Demonic, but not quite. Not as he would understand demons at least, but God knows why, close enough. Supernatural for certain. Perhaps heathen? Kevin did not expect that sort of presence in this world overwhelmed by science. Then again, he would not have met that criteria either, would he? And yet, here he is. Safe and sound and taking photographs from exotic flowers.

What a fool he must be.]

My goal was to capture the cherry tree's image, sir. [He lowers the device and presses it to his chest, pointing at the tree behind the...what the heck he is supposed to be. With luck, the creature won't be able to sense him as well. The less explanations given the better. His stance remains guarded, though. He is not particularly good at playing tricks.] Forgive me if I caused offense.

[hagureoni]

[Kevin might be having luck there. Senkimaru can't sense supernatural presences - not more than humans could figure out that something was nearby. So he's pretty oblivious to the fact that Keving might be something else than human and just stares at this person that isn't making sense to him.]

And that is why you are shoving this thing in my face? What do you want to do with the image of that tree anyways?

[Didn't people usually paint that? Then again, considering his working place he's seen already all kind of strange things.]

[sjokolade]

[After spending the past month or so in this strange new land, Anna was slowly starting to get use to everything here. Although, the biggest challenge was getting use to waking up so early in the morning and having a job for once! However, she didn't seem to mind! It was exciting and new to be able to live the life of a normal person for once!

Which was why she was taking her job as serious as she could! As she stared at the flowers, she tried her best to paint the flowers as realistic as she could! However, she couldn't quite seem to focus on it that well.

After all, when there was someone just looking at you, it was difficult to focus on anything!]

Uh...excuse me but why are you taking pictures of me?

[senseandcecilbility]

[Ah, royalty attempting to be human normal. Uriel would have sympathized with that in a certain way, though he has been playing this game for longer. He doesn't notice the fair lady until she talks to him, and proceeds to blush immediately. Has he done anything inappropriate? That is probably the case, isn't it? Flustered, he almost lets his CereVice fall, but manages to catch it in midair and slide it into his pocket. A nice trick that probably only makes him look guiltier.]

Forgive me, madam! It was the cherry tree, I promise! [Think, Kevin. Think. The lady probably needs a little more context. ]I-I am not what you probably think I am! I am a florist!

[sjokolade]

Hey, hey! I think the first thing you need to do is breath! You need to calm down or something!

[She said as she arms began to flail around. While she wasn't the best at telling to relax, it was clear that she was kind of flustered as well! Although, as she cleared her throat, she did take a peek at the cherry tree she was sitting under before raising an eyebrow at him.

Admittedly, she only met with one florist before but...]

A florist huh? Then why take pictures? Shouldn't you be taking pictures of that instead of me?

[Not that she wasn't flattered but still!]

[notsolomon]

[Now that the horrible, awful, traumatic shock of arriving in this place has worn off, William has decided to start exploring. It wouldn't do to get lost in his new "home" after all. And well, there is so much technology to marvel at.

All most too much, even for a lover of science such as himself. He cannot even begin to figure out where to begin in his studies in this regard. Electricity? These strange devices they have all been given? The credit card?

It's just as he is becoming overwhelmed that William sees the entrance to the garden and walks inside abruptly, hoping to give his mind a break.

Of course, he is greeted by all sorts of plant life, both alien and not. And for a moment, William almost feels overwhelmed all over again. But then he starts to inhale deeply, calming himself. He forces himself to remember the truth.

He's been to Hell multiple times. This is only slightly stranger than that. Nay, if anything it's almost more sensible. So it's nothing to worry about. If he just thinks of it that way, it all becomes rather simple.

Nodding to himself, William decides to stroll for a bit and take in the Gardens more fully. The organic nature of this place is actually rather pleasing to him, especially after the artificiality of the city.

Just as he's beginning to relax though, he suddenly perceives Kevin. Kevin taking pictures of various trees, flowers and fauna. Though how the Cerevice took pictures was still a mystery to him.]

Does that actually work?

[senseandcecilbility]

[ His William senses starts tingling even before the young man addresses him. He turns around with the CereVice in his hands and nothing but delight on his face. Young master, what a fortunate conscience! Though perhaps that is not such a big conscience after all. Doesn't this garden look more like their home than any other place this modern city has to offer?

The flowers are fresh and soothing. And young master has always enjoyed playing in the manor's garden. Well, studying the garden, to be more precise, which was his own form of playing. Kevin is about to reminiscence aloud about some particularly embarrassing childhood episode when he realizes that the young man looks a little...frayed.

No, no, that won't do. It is this world, isn't it? It can be a little too much, or so he thinks. Especially for an eager and sensitive boy like William Twining. His extraordinary brain must be on fire, trying to absorb everything at once.

Kevin's smile becomes a little less effusive, but also warmer. He gestures towards a bench under the cherry tree.]

Indeed, the device is quite surprising! A very helpful lady showed me how to use it to capture images. Would you like to observe what I have so far?

[Maybe young master could use some quiet time looking at flower pictures. Pace himself a little before he comes up with a brilliant strategy to learn all the things. Kevin knows he could use some quiet time too.]

[notsolomon]

[Honestly, seeing Kevin was already enough to put William at ease. That hadn't changed much since he had learned his guardian's true nature. And in this place, after the end of the supposed end of the world, there was no one he needed more.

He sits down next to Kevin, eyeing the Ceredevice. Back home, one would have to sit far too long, with a stiff face and posture just to take one picture. William couldn't even fathom what a picture taken in just an instant would look like.]

Sure. It will help me figure out how to best use mine more fully.

[Besides, it wouldn't hurt to get a more thorough idea of what the flora and fauna were like here.]

[swordsitter]

[ haru looks like a deer in the headlights. ... to be honest, though, considering horikawa, he should probably be accustomed to having his photo taken. still, it's unusual to have a stranger do it, so a.) this guy is a pervert or b.) he was aiming at something behind haru..?

he turns, sweating a little nervously, and is thankful to see that there's a beautiful cherry tree just behind him. ... thank goodness. surely that's.. what he was trying to get a photo of.. yeah. this isn't another stalker-kun. ]

Um. [ for kevin, the sense of haru is probably sort of vaguely divine. not because he's divine himself, of course, but because his powers technically come from the gods etc etc. on the other hand, whatever sense there might be to him, he still looks like a flustered teenager. ] Do you want me to move out of the way? [ you're super intense about your photography, sir. ]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Super intense! So intense he could have starred in an intense photograph taking montage with an intense soundtrack to go with it. Moreover, he may be a stalker-kun, in the sense that he once stalked a soul for three thousand years. Fortunately for Haru, he is not that very specific soul and is, therefore, relatively safe.

Still, Kevin is quite perplexed by what he senses from this nervous young man. Not as bad as the former guy, but heathen-ish all the same. Where do they keep coming from? This one, at least, feels actually pleasant.]

My most sincere apologies, sir! I did not realize that was a requirement.

[Having an unobstructed view of the tree, that is. He comes from a time when people had to keep very still to have their pictures taken. The deadier, the better, and so he was not being particularly picky. Chances were Haru would merely show in the picture as a ghostly blur, or so he believed.]

[swordsitter]

[ haru's lips part, then shut. he takes a moment to really look at the stranger, and while he's no expert on western history, he's pretty sure that the clothes he's wearing are kind of old-fashioned.

.. ah.

pale eyes warm faintly, and haru shakes his head. ] No, it's okay. Is this your first time using a phone's camera..? [ haru's accustomed to teaching his swords about how to be human and about modern conveniences, so helping this guy with his camera if he needs it is no big deal. ]

[fierybluebird]

[Marco is a bit on the freaking ancient side of things himself, and used to people who don't adapt well, especially since technology still gets him a bit flustered -- don't even get him started on the subway, monorail, or cars. Or elevators. None of it. Just. No.]

[So he just casually poses with a giant grin, troll that he is, might as well make the picture look good instead of silly and startled.]

[But once he's pretty sure it's finished, or at least that the would-be photographer has paused long enough he offers a hand.]

Want help with that, matey? They can take some getting used to, eh?

[senseandcecilbility]

[It is his firm belief that one should keep the murky underground to worms and demons. He had really hoped the tube was just a passing fad, but alas, that doesn't seem to be the case.

When he checks the picture, Kevin is rather surprised to find out a smiling dude in front of his cheery tree. How is that possible? Oh wait, the real guy is just standing there, offering him a hand. He takes it and shakes it warmly, still looking dumbfounded. He didn't realize the device could be so quick!]

Forgive me, sir. That is very kind of you!

[fierybluebird]

Not a problem. It took me some getting used to too. [Shakes hands and plainly lets go, simply tilting his head and looking back at the cherry tree to figure out a good angle to picture it from. Other than above. It takes Marco a lot not to do everything from the sky sometimes.]

What kind of thing have you used before?

[souredsweet]

[DID SOMEONE ORDER MORE DEMONS because oops, they're just all over the gardens today...!

Kaoru had been admiring the cherry tree too, since it's always nice to take a break from the barren iciness of winter in the city center, but is a little less enthusiastic with said admiration than certain people and their intense photographs. Naturally, after turning to leave and find another plant to stare at admiringly, Kaoru starts in mild surprise! WHO IS THIS PUNK.]

Oh—! Sir, are you... [INTERNAL SWEATING except okay no Kaoru's had enough pictures snapped by now to be able to tell where the photographer's attention is, generally speaking. A quick glance back toward the tree, and then, with some hesitation:]

...I apologize if I was in your way.

[Covertly checking to make sure his attention is indeed on the tree...]

[senseandcecilbility]

[WHY ARE THERE SO MANY HEATHEN DEMONS IN THIS CURSED GARDEN. Gardens are supposed to be peaceful and...and, and serpent free!

And why can't he ever have good things? All he wanted was to take a picture of a perfectly normal cherry tree, so he could stick a proper latin name to it and study it later.]

There is no need to apologize, madam.

[He saw that! Stop doing that. What sort of pervert does the heathen demon lady think he is? Good Lord, does he look that guilty?]

[provoquer]

[Having missed the bulk of the Santa Shenanigans, Levi is in high spirits this afternoon! Well, honestly, even if he'd been in the thick of it he'd still be happily taking a stroll. The whole holiday had been ridiculous; the plot twist had just been the icing on the cookies that he'd so festively set out as per instructions in the book he'd read. He has Oz to blame for both the embarrassment and the safety the tradition provided him.

People normally don't approach him when he's out, let alone point cameras in his direction, so when he notices the young man taking his photo, he freezes and stares directly into the lens (or where the lens on that thing is supposed to be) curious and amused.]

Hah, is it broken?

[He asks as he waves a hand back and forth in front of the camera, jokingly.]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Mercifully, Kevin missed that whole mess by virtue of being late. He would be really sad to witness such a bastardization of a very important holy day. Sad and probably obliged to smite a few sinners, which can always be somewhat inconvenient for both parties involved.

He has not seen a sakura tree in ages and this one is really eye-catching, so forgive him for being startled by the sudden Levi.]

Good heavens, sir! I am so sorry! [He moves the offensive CereVice away as quickly as possible without hitting the gentleman's nose. ] It was not my intention to intrude, I swear!

[Flustered, he gestures towards the tree. The tree! ]

[jyajyaaan]

Hm? [Turning around, Vector finds himself staring right at the camera(?) end of a CereVice with a very focused man standing on the other side of it. Which is weird, admittedly, but since he cannot feel any sense of hostility or even attention from the other towards him he simply draws the nearest conclusion.]

Oh, sorry. [Ducking his head, he steps back and to wait for him to finish taking the picture.]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Most certainly not hostile. Well, at least not for the time being since the young man has not yet displayed any demonic tendencies or anything similar. Such a fresh change! He is, however, further flustered by his apologies.]

Oh please, sir, that was entirely my fault! I am still quite new at this...

[He gestures at the device, but he could have meant the entire world.]

[heiwana]

[ Kousetsu is one of the caretakers of the gardens here. So it's only natural that he be roaming around making sure everything is in...order. Though he's seen many people taking photos of themselves and the plants so the man pointing his camera at him doesn't really startle him too terribly much. However he does happen to stare back with his otherwise neutral expression.

His impassive gaze lingers for seconds before he finally says something. He's got this, totally. ] I am...sorry. Am I in the way?

[ He talks low and very slowly as he watches the other. The angel might sense something inherently off about the other. Sword spirits what are they even. ]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Oh no, a caretaker. After being scolded by one of Kousetsu's peers, Kevin wonders if he did anything wrong...again. He certainly didn't take any flowers. Not even those that have fallen to the ground. So what was it now...

Oh my, it was the picture. He is quite sure!]

My apologi--

[He blinks rapidly, a wave of something quite undetermined hitting him. Wait, what the heck is this person exactly? Kevin - the master of subtlety and smoothness - takes an instinctive step back.]

[oneirism]

[One thing she was not expecting to come across today was some random stranger taking pictures of what appears to be her. But Lapis decides that's a pretty silly thought, and takes a glance around behind her, promptly moving out of the way of the tree.]

... Ah, sor- [Her apology is cut off when she realizes what she can sense from him, and she can feel her back stiffen as it dawns on her.

Oh. Shit.

Lapis manages to keep her expression completely even and composed despite how much she's internally nervous sweating over this. Even her ghost buddy decides to keep his distance, both for his own sake and also maybe try to not draw attention to how Lapis basically bonds with ghosts, since the holy in her world never approved of that.]

- S-sorry, I was in your way. [Maybe if she's polite he won't think she's some sort of heathen or something.]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Oh my, did he disturb the young lady? For a second there, Kevin notices something but then it is gone. It might have been his imagination. Either that or, you know, all the weird heathens he met so far interfering with his senses.

The lady's apologies only makes him feel more...apologetic. He waves his hands nervously, but still manages not to drop the CereVice.

Victory?]

Please, madam. I should be the one apologizing. I did not intend to disturb your leisure, but merely capture the image of the tree behind you.

[He takes a step forward to reassure her. Maybe offer her a handkerchief? Ladies seem always reassured by handkerchieves.]