toldstorie

[toldstorie]

ah shit. mei's never really gotten the hang of being friendly, always seeming a little as though they were carved from stone — emotions slow to rise to the surface, hidden behind a mask they seem to have been born with. “ you don't need to apologise. i did not intend it as an accusation. ” which says they really need to work on their tone, make it a little clearer when they're pissed and when they're not — but that's a problem for later. “ i just need a second opinion, it isn't anything too strenuous — shouldn't be, anyway. ” they tear a sheet of paper from their notebook, offering it to her. “ it just doesn't seem to flow right. but i've been looking at it all day, so i can't really trust my opinion not to be coloured by that. ”

          annabelle  doesn’t  reply  for  a  long  moment,  caught  between  floundering  for  an  excuse  (  for  what  ?  existing  ?  )  and  shaking  her  head.  her  words  come  out  soft  as  always,  “  oh  —  oh,  no,  m’sorry  —  “  she  clears  her  throat;  she  was,  in  fact,  just  people  watching,  but  not  in  a  bad  way.  it  was  more  of  an  admiring  way,  “  just  —  just  thought’ya  looked  cool.  “  heavens,  now  she  sounds  like  even  more  of  a  dweeb.  but  mei’s  words  perk  her  up  a  bit,  and  her  eyebrows  raise,  though  she  doesn’t  step  towards  them,  “  oh  —  sure  !  i  dunno  how  much  help  i’ll  be,  though.  “ 

[toldstorie]

“ it isn't individual humans that people are afraid of, ” mei says with a shrug. ( it might be for some, but by and large the supernatural is far more dangerous than any human could hope to be ) “ it's what they represent. ” for many, mei included, oldham is a haven, a place where they can be themselves without fear of repercussions, without endangering themself or anyone else. if it loses its protective magic, if the town rejoins the outside world ... mei has seen how human greed and selfishness run rampant whenever they are denied access to something. “ i, for one, would rather not be forced to flee into the wilderness and become a hermit. ” they've done that, and it's not an experience they're keen to replicate any time soon.

       𓂅         OPEN  STARTER         ˒         event  # 01 .       𓂅        location  utp  ,  mid - afternoon .

               '   ✦   dante  hawthorne  wasn’t  a  gossipy  person  .  they  weren’t  .  yet  as  the  waves  of  rumours  and  whispers  flowed  around  them  ,  they  couldn’t  help  but  be  dragged  by  curiosity  ,  igniting  within  intrigue  and  anxiety  that  got  them  asking  questions  whose  answers  they  ,  deep  down  ,  didn’t  care  about   —   they  had  bigger  problems  than  a  simple  human  found  battered  human  found  at  the  shore .     “  i—  i  still  don’t  get  it .  why  are  y’all  so  scared  of  humans  again ?  ”     they  were  nothing  but  one  of  them  only  a  few  months  ago  ,  and  they  couldn't  phantom  a  reason  to  be  scary  ,  or  even  crazier  ,  a  threat  to  magicals  .  on  the  contrary  ,  if  they  would’ve  been  found  by  any  of  them  when  they  were  still  a  human  ,  they  would’ve  shitted  their  pants .  (  not  that  it  didn’t  happen  when  the  werebear  family  that  aided  them  found  them  after  their  turning  ,  but  that’s  a  story  for  another  day .  )

[toldstorie]

chair turned with its back to face the table, chin resting on the top, hands drumming out a jaunty waltzing matilda, keira blinks at the interruption to xyr thoughtless rambling — honestly, she didn't realise elyse was listening to her. “ oh, the half-dead guy ? yeah, i just feel like everyone's making an awfully big deal over it. ” like, xe gets that it's a big deal for humans to be getting into oldham, and an even bigger deal for one to arrive as beaten up as he did — but there's no evidence that the barrier isn't working as it always has : nobody actually knows what its rules are, since it wasn't created so far as she knows. so really, what's the point in worrying ? it's nothing anyone can do something about. “ you have any thoughts on the whole shebang ? ”

— open to : anyone. — location : the hearth. — time of day : late evening.

there was some intangible uneasiness elyse could feel in the air. it ran thick, moving within the atmosphere in a tide of molasses-like semblance. they couldn’t escape it, regardless of how much she tried, how much her arms paddled and attempted to reach the safe shores of normalcy. to make matters worse, the voices — resonant chatter that she could usually push away with loud-enough music or sweet birdsong — was much worse today. every word mushed together into grating whispers ... even the hot, humid summers of georgia didn't provide buzzing vermin to this level of extreme.

elyse opted for a meal at the hearth ; hopefully the unceasing clattering of silverware and a busy kitchen would provide a distracting ensemble. seated, they found her answer, concern discernible in the other's tone as they conversed with someone she didn't know ... a worker, she assumed, someone killing the time left on their shift with conversation surrounding the town's latest happenings. they weren't one to jump into a conversation, but their frequent glances haven't gone unnoticed, and it would be uncomfortable to leave their thoughts unspoken at this point. " what did you say ... ? um — about .. about the person. the one who showed up. " note to self : start watching the news ?

[toldstorie]

“ all the more reason to keep my distance, then, eh ? ” keira says, not bothering to step closer or further, hand tapping idly against her leg. xe doesn't bother to counter their arguments — it is rude to lurk, and most of the people in this town can be dangerous if the situation calls for it. even keira.

( she kind of wants to turn and run, leave this conversation behind, but facing one's fears is important. even if it's less a fear and more an i-don't-want-to-do-that-right-now. )

( xyr nightmares have been worse than usual, lately. they always are, at this time of year. otherwise she wouldn't be out and about — keira is not a night owl in the slightest. but the dark and cool and quiet is exactly what xe needs, in order to push the memories back down and return to her usual self. )

“ but i think the person lurking is generally regarded as more dangerous, in this situation, ” xe adds, conjuring a ball of flame to twirl in one hand, letting xyr face be illuminated ever so slightly.

𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑: open​​​​ 𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍: anywhere

PERCHED ON A LEDGE, one leg dangling over the edge and the other tucked beneath it, rylan fishes in their pocket for a lighter. the spark flickers to life, quickly setting alight the cigarette perched loosely between their lips. they relish the warmth of the smoke filling their lungs, scorching the impenetrable tissue in a way air never could, never would. it's late, that much they're aware of, though the exact time eludes them.

it's not uncommon for the vampire to venture out into the night, wandering the streets like a contemplative specter, wondering. about the town, about the world, about life. it would be funny were it not so tragic, a vampire musing about a world they had known far longer than any human should, about a life incapable of holding the same fleeting urgency that came from an expiration date. they watch the first embers flutter toward the ground with vague interest, orange glow extinguishing against the dark concrete. just beyond it, a streetlamp throws a long shadow. ❛ i know you're there. ❜ they don't bother looking up, tapping a few new ashes loose. ❛ it’s rude to lurk. especially, in the dark. ❜ a low chuckle. ❛ i could be dangerous. ❜

[toldstorie]

“ not particularly, when she is up here, and the waves down there ? ” mei doesn't deign to mention that snakes can swim, and this one in particular enjoys the water — in this weather, she is more inclined to stay high on mei's shoulder, where she can revel in the warmth of the sun and a warming charm tucked over their back, so it is of little consequence. “ and only vicious when angered. it is easy enough to stay on their good sides if you show basic respect. ” something far too many people seem to have an issue with — though less so in oldham. then again, people here have more cause than most to view animals as equal to people.

“ i endeavour not to be of the ' most ' ” they add, in response to his critique of their writing location. “ and it would only be in danger if i dropped it — ” which they wouldn't, being quite experienced at not dropping things, “ — or someone tried to send a rogue wave my way. ” which would end in said troublemaker being turned to stone for a good few minutes at least. though mei'd only lose their most recent writings, since they make copies fairly regularly.

much as satya loves to make scathingly dry comments and wrinkle his nose in distaste at oldham, there is one thing that he cannot deny: he takes to these shores like a moth takes to the flame. he's at home here, where the land meets the sea. even the residents of oldham can't take that away from him.

when the question from one of said residents comes, his mouth curls into something that almost resembles a smile—not kind, yet not unkind. there's no hesitation in his movements as he wades out into the sea to stand next to them. "you're not scared you'll lose them to the waves?" he asks, chin tilted to gesture at the creature curling around them. "vicious bunch, the lot of them. yet still no match to the ocean, unfortunately." their question remains ignored even as he reaches over to tap the edge of their notebook with his finger. "this, too, is no match for it. most writers dabble on dry land."

[toldstorie]

mei splutters briefly at lou's comment — not what they were expecting the other gorgon to say. “ that isn't– i don't– ugh, lou. don't do that. ” mei is normally quite hard to fluster, having had decades of practice at being an emotionless stone wall — but when someone they're used to being more open with says something like that, well. their defences rely on distance.

“ no, it's a different scene, that one is on the backburner for now. here, you can have a read if you want. ” they hold out the notebook, offering it to lou. their notes thus far are mostly bullet points, with short paragraphs interspersed — the scene is really not coming together. “ should you really be working if you're that tired ? ”

"don't you like it when i stare?" lou, within moments, setting out their lifeguard chair and seating themself upon it, sunglasses perched upon their nose. though the winds are fell and brisk, there is nothing stopping their job from keeping others from danger — something mei knows well. the waves kiss at both of their feet, their ankles, and lou arches their brow, jutting their chin at mei's notebook. "is it the same scene as the one before? you already know i thought it dragged a little." as blunt as ever. but here, at least, it was both wanted and somewhat appreciated. so far as lou could tell. they sigh, leaning back in the chair, letting their shoulders slump. their muscles ache from a previous dive. "no standing. i'm fucking tired."

[toldstorie]

keira follows ducky as they head inside, though she's unbothered by the cool temperature — the perks of being a phoenix, weather doesn't really get through to her. she listens / watches as ducky talks, mentally noting down to come by in may to visit the new foal. horses may not be xyr favourite animals, but babies of any species are cute — and spending time at nightshade is always nice.

xe settles in one of the chairs in the sitting room easily, feeling just as at home as in xyr own house. “ i needed some fresh air, and my feet led me this way — like the universe was telling me i should come say hi. so i did. ” and she missed ducky, despite having seen them only a few days ago. their presence is one keira finds refreshing and relaxing — unlike certain other residents of oldham.

The fact that Keira has worked as hard as xe has to learn to communicate with Ducky means more to Ducky than they can express. While sometimes, Ducky offers corrections and explains how the sign had been used incorrectly or how there were different ways to express what the other wanted to say -- the fact remains that Ducky can talk more in the language that they were born into. "I hoped that you would -- but I wasn't going to hang my hat on hope," they admitted. "You know that I like company."

Their bed and breakfast is quiet right now. Dante occupying the room that had been Birdie's now that he had taken the open position. The rest of the rooms were empty. It left Ducky with a nest and no babies to fuss over. "It's cold, come inside." It's about as close as they get to saying please and instead pushes off the chair to head for the door, holding it open for Keira. "I've been fine - tired of the winter. Waiting for May so I can see Nix' new foal." Ducky loves horses almost as much as they love people. Though, the rest of the animals on the little sanctuary aren't bereft of love and attention.

The main sitting room is comfortable and welcoming, and Ducky sits in a plush chair, wanting to walk as little as they can today so they can rest their back before anyone notices that Ducky has been pushing their own limits past the point where their body - now compensating for the loss of the limb for longer than they had it - is demanding they rest.

"Tell me true though -- why'd you come and visit if not for food? Not complaining - just curious." They ask xem.

[toldstorie]

one might think keira would be loath to set foot in xyr competitor's establishment — but the opposite is true. xe delights in menacing dabin, showing up without warning to critique every aspect of his customer service and drink-making. and today is no different, as the phoenix waltzes into the owl's three with a grin on xyr face.

“ why would i try to sneak up on you ? ” she asks, the picture of innocence — if one is unfamiliar with keira, which dabin is not. “ it's not as if startling you would make your drinks any worse. ” which is probably a stupid thing to say on his turf, but her impulse control is atrocious at the best of times.

open starter ›› choi dabin.

featuring ›› 5 / 6 muses, will close when 6 separate writers reply.

location ›› the owl's three, late evening hours.

the shadows seem more apt to crawl out from their dark corners as of late. he did try to ignore such things — the last thing dabin wished to do was succumb to the latent fear of whatever fortunes might be sloshing about in the world, and there are so many at work constantly. yet sometimes, in the lulls at the bar, when he's doing little more than, without precursor or warning, wiping down the counter for himself, dabin mulls them over in their head. and when they do, the little marble, settled in the column of his throat, begins to feel as though it is pulsing warm. in these moments, he seeks distractions. and right on time. they glance up as some slight movement flutters in his peripheral, already arching his brow and mouth in that fixed, practised customer-service smile. ( and he didn't mind his customers. not for the most part. ) "i hope you weren't trying to sneak up on me." in the low lights, the gold barely pierces the red-dark streaks in his hair. "it never works."

[toldstorie]

“ i fail to see what else it could have been, ” mei says, a teasing note in their tone. “ seems to me the definition of staring. ” not that they mind — adam is harmless to them, his rambling somewhat endearing, so his presence is welcome enough. “ i'm writing, or trying to — it's not really co-operating with me right now. what about you ? just out for a walk ? ” they reach up to stroke the snake, who offers them a contented hiss in response, snapping leisurely at a nearby flying insect.

“ my gut is being frustratingly silent on the matter, unfortunately, ” mei says. “ here, read. it doesn't flow right, i think. ” ( the scene in question is a conversation between the main character and their best friend, in which the best friend attempts to pry into what the hell is going on. to mei, it reads as horrifically stilted and nonsensical. )

If it wasn't his footsteps that gave him away, then it would be his breathing, which wasn't exactly gasping for air, but it was a healthy panting that came from the light jog he decided to go on that afternoon. Seeing a friend was only a bonus to the whole thing! "I wasn't starin'!" Once he got close enough to see the snakes, he paused in his movements, only to shrug a moment later and lean down to undo his shoelaces, then kick his running shoes off before he stepped into the water beside Mei. "What'cha doin'?" The cold water on his bare feet barely affected him. In fact, it was quite welcome. He should do this more often. "Y'know, I'm all about sticking with what your gut tells ya to do the first time and never think twice about it, but just for you, I'll help!"

[toldstorie]

keira has seen the real dregs of humanity ; nothing in oldham even comes close. still, she's always on the floor during busier nights — ready to step in if any patrons start getting ideas. though in this instance it turns out xe doesn't need to, a prickly customer quick to snap at the guy and save xem the trouble. “ no need, i'm sure he was just on his way out, ” keira says with a sharp smile and a look in xyr eyes which has the man stumbling his way towards the exit in a heartbeat. the other patrons, reading the room, have kindly cleared him a path.

( it's always nice when she doesn't have to resort to threats of physical violence. refreshing, and reassures xem that xe's still got the look down. )

“ well, i guess that's sorted. thanks for the help. can i get you anything for the trouble ? bowl of wedges, drink refill ? ”

with keira grey @ the hearth , it's mid - evening ; the sun has set & and the freaks are out.

❛  hey  !  what  the  fuck  is  your  problem  ,  huh ?  ❜  jag  has  finally  snapped.  after  two  whiskey  neat  and  three  pickle-back  shots  ,  she's  had  enough  of  this  burly  drunk  stranger  who   decided to treat the hearth as if it were the last watering hold in the sahara desert. in other words , this pussy couldn't handle his liquor and was making it everyone's problem.  she  had  watched  his  group  of  friends  leave  for  another  bar.  the  owl's  tree  ?  the  owl's  tea  ?  wherever  they  were  going  ,  it  wasn't  up  to  par  to  what  the  hearth  has  been  serving ,  apparently.  jag  was  willing  to  allow  this  stranger  to  make  a  fool  out  of  himself  ,  to  ignore  him  as  he  continued  to  stumble  around  the  tables  ,  asking  anyone  if  anyone  would  like  to  play  against  him  in  a  game  of  darts. the last straw is when he bumps into jag , causing her to catch herself before she fell out of the stool. the banshee rises to her feet , aggression is simmering just below surface. ❛  you need me to take his ass into the alley ? because i will. gladly.  ❜ jag is talking directly to the owner now ; the pretty person with long dark hair and pretty brown eyes.

[toldstorie]

it's more than a little awkward to watch abra fumble with his words, but mei stays silent and lets him figure it out himself. painful, but sometimes speaking isn't helpful — and this seems to be one of those times. “ you don't have to find a different spot, ” they say eventually. “ just be prepared to deal with me asking for your opinions. ” this really does show that they should look before they speak, but what's done is done.

“ it's not a murder scene, ” they say. “ well. i don't think it is ? these things sort of do their own thing sometimes. ” now they're second-guessing it — maybe that's what was missing ? hm. they tilt their head consideringly, re-evaluating what they've written down so far. “ no. not a murder scene. ” they hold out their notebook, with its near-illegible scrawl. “ the basic premise is a young noble trying to extract information about their family's kidnapping from a group of bandits — but i'm struggling with the how. seduction is a no– ” mostly because who the fuck would want to seduce a rōnin who's probably never been introduced to the concept of a bath “ –and the character isn't really giving me any suggestions. ”

"I ... erm..." he doesn't know whether to snap to attention and salute, explain himself, or run away. He's very good at running away from uncomfortable situations, but that would be rude, and he may be a lot of things, but he is not a rude vampire. Instead, he tries to explain and salute at the same time, which ends up rather comical. Finally, not knowing what to do with his hands, he puts them behind his back and ventures forward. "I thought that I would just pass through," he admitted. Mei deserved to have their privacy to contemplate their craft, and he didn't like to be interrupted while he was painting. "I was going to find a different spot to draw," he admitted, the bag that rested against his back holding his sketch book and charcoal. Yet, like the snake had tempted the ancestors to a different Abraham (the irony is not lost on him), Abra found himself moving closer to the water. "If it's a scene involving a murder, I am afraid you are 805 years too late, and I would be a horrible murder victim. i get twitchy when I have to pretend like I'm permanently dead."

[toldstorie]

xe has spent a considerable portion of the time xe's known ducky attempting to learn sign language — with pretty much no success. languages are just not keira's strong point, much to xyr dismay. still, xe watches their hands closely, even though it'll end with xem relying on the little familiar they carry around. “ i'm offended you'd consider the possibility that i wouldn't come by, ” keira says. “ as if i'd forget about my favourite supplier. ” the eggs from the hobby farm at nightshade are so much better than anything xe could get at a shop, and keira does not have the patience with animals to keep xyr own chickens.

the face they pull while saying they're taking a break makes keira snicker, knowing ducky's delightful employees no doubt all but shoved them out the door. xe'll thank them for it later, out of sight of the owner. “ thanks ” xe signs, or attempts to — it may come out meaning nothing at all, so xe whispers to the little critter as well. “ it's good you're taking a break, ” they say, returning to verbal speech ( full sentences are still well outside xyr capability in sign ). “ i'll grab some before i leave, but i just ate. how have things been 'round here ? ”

Location: on the porch of the bed & breakfast // lunch time. For: Anyone Character: Elias "Ducky" Mallard Note: this character is deaf and uses ASL to sign (just like their fc).

The only meal not provided by the bed and breakfast was lunch, so they had a little while until they needed to start prepping for dinner. There was nothing left for them to do - their few employees on the small farm were taking care of the animals. Ducky had been shooed out of the bed and breakfast by the woman who helps them clean over the week. All they had to do was wait ... and enjoy the sandwich they had made.

"I was wondering if you'd come by to visit," they greeted, signing fluidly in welcome. Their sandwich now set off to the side to be forgotten. "Come up," they encouraged, "sit - have lunch." It was impossible to come by the bed and breakfast and not be given a meal ... as well as dessert to take home. For all of their serious countenance - they welcomed many into their home ... as well as provided the meals and desserts. "I made raspberry crumble if you want some - but you'll have to get it yourself. I'm taking a break." They emphasized with a grimace because if they had their way, they'd be working.

[toldstorie]

mei ft. open @ niebla beach .

the crunch of footsteps on sand is more than enough to alert mei to the presence of another, even without their additional senses in regards to such things. “ are you just here to stand and stare ? ” mei asks dryly, tilting their head to glance at the newcomer. they're well aware they look a little odd — jeans rolled to their knees, ankles submerged beneath the waves, a snake curled up one arm and around their neck and notebook tucked in the crook of their arm as they muse and scribble down thoughts — though such a thing should be expected by now, surely everyone in town is well used to their eccentricities. “ because i could use a second opinion on this scene i'm writing. ”

[toldstorie]

KEIRA GREY ; 27 / 89 year-old phoenix . ( madeleine madden, bigender, she/xe )

always seen w/ locket gifted by a long-lost friend, not so immune to the endless march of time as xe is.

enjoys watching old movies while wrapped in a blanket on the couch, a crackling fireplace bathing the room in flickering yellow light, sunsets the colour of ochre-red desert soil spilling across the sky.

known to have always wished to be normal but never been able to achieve it, a nebulous goal growing more and more out of reach with each year xe barely ages ; has never managed to learn a second language, despite her best efforts ; still feels like a child, wandering throughout the world without the slightest clue as to what xe's doing.

( tw : mention of stolen generations, death, house fire )

keira was born in 1935 in sydney, australia. her early life was not one of luxury or ease, being indigenous australian in the midst of the stolen generations — though her family were fortunate enough to not have been separated from one another. she was lucky, in some ways, being able to know some of her grandparents for at least a brief time, to learn even a small portion of her family and cultural history.

xe was nineteen when the family home caught on fire. the building took five hours to burn to the ground, but only thirty minutes to kill the entire grey family, who were asleep in their beds at the time. by the time the fire brigade arrived, all they could do was prevent the fire spreading to the neighbouring houses. and yet, when they dug through the rubble and ashes the next morning, they found keira unconscious but very much alive, without a single burn anywhere on xyr body.

she wasn't completely alone, though. her extended family were quick to take keira in, once she was cleared from hospital, her uncle having always been more like a third parent than a parent's sibling to keira. though he and his wife did their best to support her, she struggled with survivor's guilt — always feeling that she should have somehow known, or that someone else should have survived : her grandparents, to tell their stories to their other grandchildren, or her parents, to be to keira's cousins what her uncle always was to her.

xe discovered that there was more to xyr survival of that night when, on a hike in western australia — one of xyr many efforts to move past everything that had happened — xe was caught in a grass fire. except it didn't burn xem, just danced around xem before slowly extinguishing itself, as if sensing xyr apprehension.

and this was only the first of many strange incidents. when her nephew scraped his knee playing football, a single touch from keira healed it in an instant. while her cousins grew visibly older, keira remained youthful — and not in the way of someone who simply ages well. it was easy enough to hide at first, pretending to be a relative from out of town, but that excuse would only work so many times before people started to question why so many relatives looked the same.

when xe was fifty, still looking barely twenty-two, keira decided it was time for a change of scenery. called by something xe didn't really understand, xe ended up in oldham — where xe has remained ever since, running the hearth, a pub that reminds xem of home.

quick stats :

keira grey

27 / 89

bigender & she/xe

b. august 11, 1935 in sydney, australia

phoenix, died & was reborn by house fire in 1954

owner of the hearth, local pub.

still not really clear on what the whole ' phoenix ' thing entails. absolutely winging life.

plot thoughts :

phoenix who knows more n teaches keira abt it

pub regulars ( both positive and negative )

movie-watching friends

[toldstorie]

MEI SHINOHARA ; 38 / 216 year-old gorgon . ( mari yamamoto, agender, they/them )

always seen w/ leather-bound notebook, stuffed to overflowing with daily observations, musings and the names of those who have wronged them.

enjoys people-watching by the beach, sharing a meal with friends, speaking to snakes amongst grass and trees on the outskirts of town.

known to have turned half a town to stone in defence of a young woman, only to be chased out of town by the one they saved ; spent half a century wandering the world ; published two books under different aliases.

( tw : death )

born in 1808 in tokugawa japan, the only child of a merchant family, mei shinohara thought themself ordinary for a long time. sure, they never really got the whole ' gender ' thing other people had going on, but other than that they were just another kid running around nagasaki.

and then. then, a rōnin gang broke into the family's home and threatened them at swordpoint, demanding they hand over all their valuables and food. mei's parents, from whom their intractable nature springs, refused — and paid the price. but before the gang could turn their swords on mei, something happened, and the men turned to stone.

it took mei nearly three decades of wandering japan to master their newfound abilities. for much of this time, they travelled blindfolded, unwilling to risk innocent lives, becoming something of a legend amongst their fellow travelers — a mysterious, blindfolded figure who would step between innocents and bandits without hesitation, cursing the bandits to turn to stones.

after the sakoku decree ended, mei left japan, looking for a change of scenery. they spent the next fifty years or so travelling the world, never staying anywhere long enough for people to notice their far too slow ageing. they took up writing during their travels, collecting notebooks and filling them with everything from sketches to poetry to short stories and essays.

finally, in the early 1900s, they moved to america, where they published their first book : a collection of poetry and sketches that they made whilst travelling. memoirs of a wanderer, the book was called, the author's name claimed to be yuusuke nakano. countless publishers and journalists vied to meet with the enigmatic author, but mei had already shed that identity and moved on to other things.

not long after this, seeking somewhere they could simply be themself, mei found oldham. to finally be amongst people they could be themself around was nothing short of a miracle, and they reveled in it. able to use their real name, able to wander the shore with a snake curled around one arm and not receive weird looks.

their second book was published fairly recently, in the 2010s, during a brief trip outside of oldham. the stones of aokawa, a youth fantasy novel about a girl who discovers that her supposedly-dead mother is actually a yōkai and embarks on a journey of self-discovery, its author listed as chihiro sumamoto.

these days, mei spends their time writing another book — this one drawing on their own experiences as a child — and patrolling the town, their notebook with the names of troublemakers who might benefit from a couple of hours as a statue carefully jotted down.

quick stats :

mei shinohara

38 / 216

agender & they/them

b. april 14, 1808 in nagasaki, japan

gorgon, awoken by break in @ shinohara family home in 1826

author

fluent in japanese, dutch & english, speaks passable mandarin & limited cantonese

plot thoughts :

fellow creatives who understand the struggles of writer's block / similar afflictions

people they absolutely do not vibe with

friends

[toldstorie]

# TOLDSTORIE : dependent multimuse for oldhamfm featuring :

mei shinohara : 38 / 216 + agender + gorgon ( tag + intro )

keira grey : 27 / 89 + bigender + phoenix ( tag + intro )