(09) Pumpkin Assault [Open Commentlog]

[doctoral_bird]

[There is definitely something off about the plague doctor today. First, he was a bit suspicious of the pumpkins, though found them rather pleasant and curiously well-made. Then he thought he caught a glimpse of one of the old villagers faces on one, but quickly moved on and tried to block it out of his mind

Comments

[needsnobottle]

[Well this is different. Tammy stands a bit away from Malkus and watches as he has his little freak out. She's got a pumpkin tucked under her arm. The face on it isn't hers, but rather of a forlorn looking female. She's wearing a black backpack and something of a vaguely-amused expression.]

Not a fan of squash? Or the art of carving?

[doctoral_bird]

[A jolt runs up his spine and he almost immediately throws himself on top of what remains of his pumpkin. Quickly staring over his shoulder, the doctor realizes that this is yet another unfamiliar face. This eases him, a bit...]

What? Oh. No. I mean, I'm quite fond of these little artworks. Seems you are, too? It's just- I would prefer that this particular bit of vegetation were to be eh-... not around. Or visible.

[needsnobottle]

[She arches an eyebrow and glances down at the pumpkin she's carrying. Yeah, this one is special. But not in the same way that one is to him, it seems. No smashing of this pumpkin.]

You have to admit it's some pretty damned detailed art. I usually stopped at the two triangles and the toothy grin.

[She eyes the remains of his pumpkin.]

So what's your beef with that one?

[doctoral_bird]

Indeed it is. I'm afraid I am unfamiliar with carving faces into these things...

[He blinks, glancing down at his pumpkin before looking back up at her. If she looked a bit closer, she'd see a faint trace of one of the doctors eyes peeking out of the lens. It's almost identical to the scrap of pumpkin-face that's nearest to her.]

It was a rather... grotesque face. Must have been a demon of some sort, or something. To scare the younger residents. Did not wish to have the children afraid of anything..

[needsnobottle]

Eh. On the scale of scary things, I think pumpkins faces fall a tad short of...well, the rest of this.

[She looks around, then squints back at him, but doesn't step any closer. It's not you Malkus. Lots of personal space is just polite. And preferable. She's tapping her fingers against her pumpkin and it's making a hollow sound.]

How long have you been here, uh... [Calling him birdman would be really impolite, right? Right. Let's assume it would. So let's exercise those oft-dormant manners.] ...guy?

[doctoral_bird]

Well, you know, I just did not wish to take any chances...

[He actually pauses, sitting up as he thinks. His eyes go blank for a moment, giving him an absent-minded stare.]

I don't actually know. I suppose I haven't been keeping track of the days, here... A few months, I suppose? A long enough time to settle in, at any rate... What about yourself?

[needsnobottle]

[Months? Well that's distressing. It would be too much to hope that this would be a brief transition.]

Just arrived. It's a shame they didn't give me a sign to wear.

[She's peering at him more closely now, and tilting her head.]

So you've never carved pumpkins, but you'll dress up?

[doctoral_bird]

Indeed, though a pleasant introduction is just as nice.

[And with that, Malkus gets to his feet and goes into a slight bow.]

My name's Malkus Iverwelling. Pleasure to meet you. And welcome to this keep...

[He pauses, blinking again.]

Dress up? What do you mean?

[needsnobottle]

[Wow, bowing. She makes a mental note that this guy gets her manners. Congratulations, Malkus?]

Tamara Sable, or just Tammy. No one really calls me Tamara. Makes me wonder why my parents bothered...

[She gestures with her free hand to his personage, but given his response she suspects that he is not, actually, dressing up in the spirit of the holiday.]

Just meant that you're dressed a bit differently. I kind of figured it was a costume.

[doctoral_bird]

[Huzzah and Hooray!]

Well then it is nice to meet you, Miss Sable.

[He glances down at himself as she gestures towards him.]

Ah, it is the proper protective uniform of any doctor of the plague. Sort of how we are recognized.

[needsnobottle]

[Geez, Miss? She can't even remember the last time someone called her miss. It might have been a teacher.]

So you're a doctor? Should I call you doc then?

[doctoral_bird]

[It just so happens that Malkus is quite the teacher!]

Yes I am, but there's no need to. Call me what you wish. You can think of it as a way for a patient to feel more at ease with their physician.

[needsnobottle]

[What do you know, this place is starting to feel more like home. Throw her a couple more teachers and some pot-heads lounging on the quad and it'll be downright cozy.]

I like the sound of doc, actually. Kind of toes the line between casual and respectful.

[She finally wanders a bit closer, though she's inspecting the other pumpkins, rather than the one he smashed.]

Do you know any of these guys?

[doctoral_bird]

Well, then I like the sound of doc as well.

[He nods, happily, glancing over at a few of these neighboring pumpkins... And there's one that looks rather similar to the destroyed pumpkin, though the face looks much older. His father perhaps? Malkus freezes, stuttering for a moment before gathering his nerves.]

N-No. I do not. Do you?

[needsnobottle]

[The stuttering makes her glance at him, tilting her head, but don't worry Malkus. She won't ask. Tammy moves to another pumpkin a bit further away from the others.]

Just this one.

[She pats the pumpkin she's been carrying, turning to face Malkus and pointing, in case there might be some mystery which pumpkin she is referring to.]

Doc, meet my roommate, Lini. Lini, this is Doctor Malkus Iverwelling.

[doctoral_bird]

[She may not see it, but despite the chills he's got, he smiles.]

Well then, Miss Lini. It is a pleasure to meet you, as well.

[Que tiny bow for the pumpkin.]

I hope you two grow to be quite comfortable in this place. It's really not all that bad, when you get used to it.