finalflight | THE JARS THAT BLEED BEFORE THEY BREAK.

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THE JARS THAT BLEED BEFORE THEY BREAK.

Congrats! You've somehow stumbled upon the pocket dimension where five people with questionable morals (some more questionable than others) live and operate. Are you here on business? Do you have an appointment? Or are you here to see a friend? (Come on, don't make us laugh.)

Maybe you're here on accident due to some multiversal, magical, or otherwise supernatural nonsense? It's happened before, it was bound to happen again.

You can wander towards the house, see if anyone's home. Or you can explore the lush grounds, and maybe run across the wolfman groundskeeper who might try to usher you out towards the nearest portal, anyway. The world is your oyster, just try to be a good guest.

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[The young man smiles (it's beautiful in that same unnatural Oren is except Oren hardly smiles) and nods in confirmation.]

"Thank you. We've been very lucky with favorable reviews but our wares are of high quality. Everything here has been handcrafted by the artist and is guaranteed to last."

[It's also known as, clearing out her inventory of the mildly enchanted items every few years so that they don't sit in the studio uselessly.]

"She's on lunch break right now but if you would like to meet her, she'll return in a few minutes. Please, browse as you wish. If you have any questions about any of the products, I will be happy to assist you."

Okay. We’ll just look around. I think we really do want to talk with the owner when she gets back, but we’re not in a hurry.

[Especially since he has the feeling they’ve wandered into a certain social circle yet again. What’s with that, these days?

Jake wanders over to Morgan.]

See something you like?

I like all of it.

Of course you do. We’re not buying everything just so we can throw it in the pond when we get back.

It’s good to see that a relaxing day off hasn’t killed your no-fun policy, Jacob.

…Very funny. I’m more concerned with what all these plates and necklaces do, anyway. What do you make of them?

Nothing.

Nothing? Should’ve brought Thomas.

We would have, if he hadn’t burned off too much again. Good luck waking him up today.

Tch. Fine. Then we wait. You saw the guy working here, right? He looks like-

The golem. Yes, I know. I can’t sense magic, but I’m not blind.

Smartass.

Ha. Regardless, that means… we’re about to cross familiar paths again. This should be interesting.

Yeah, I’m getting a headache already.

[But the brothers will kill time for a bit, continuing on like this now and again.]

Edited 2023-04-16 01:21 (UTC)

[The boy does glance over at the brothers with some mild concern on his face as they converse but doesn't interrupt. He busies himself by cleaning behind the counter and looking through the books of the sales of the day so far.

And in good time the artist does return and it's all at once what one would imagine of her and not.

A tall woman with an afro pushes the door open with her shoulder. Right now her facial features are somewhat obscured because she has a croissant in her mouth and she's wearing large, round, tinted glasses. Her blouse and slacks are simple, but fashionable, accented by the rings on her fingers and the two gold pendants around her neck.

With one hand holding a tumbler full of iced cold brew coffee and the other, a large canvas bag, the owner amazingly gets the rest of the pastry into her mouth, and while chewing she calls to her attendant who is quickly moving over to her.]

Emil, I'm back! Put my things away before we have any more... Oh!

[She notices the brothers and tilts her glasses down her nose. Her dark eyes perk up and the smile lights up her face and despite the crumbs on the corner of her lips, it doesn't detract from her finer features.]

Hello there! Have you been helped? Oh, don't answer that of course you have, Emil is a good little helper.

[Emil, is already removing the canvas bag and tumbler from the woman's hands accustomed to this human-shaped flurry.]

"They're just browsing Miss. I did tell them you'd be coming back. Oh, and..."

[He moves closer so that he can whisper in her ear, like a child telling an important secret- disclosing certain details he's overheard. She smiles and thanks the boy patting him on the head. He's pleased and exits to the back room so she can turn her attention to the two men.]

Now then! [She claps her hands together.]

Does anything catch your eye?

[Jake glances sidelong when the woman enters, the artist behind all these pieces, he assumes. She’s beautiful, but something also of a handful, apparently, coming into the shop like a whirlwind.]

Hi.

[He says without a smile. Not to be purposefully rude, but he’s just this way. Business, straight to the point.]

Actually, we have a few questions about everything-

I like these.

[Morgan cuts him off, gesturing to a dishware set of vibrant blues and accented gold.]

How much?

[Jake rubs at his own face.]

Edited 2023-04-16 02:23 (UTC)

[Just like another younger whirlwind...

Berna delicately flicks the crumbs away from her lips and removes her glasses. Emil returns to her side and takes the glasses, exchanging them for a handkerchief which she uses to wipe her fingers. He stands to the side, never too far from her.

Her dark eyes study the men individually, looking back and forth between them. It's Morgan she addresses since he's actually interested in her wares (and Jacob was so dour, gosh).]

You have a good eye! That set is a flat $300. It's less about the gold accents but the time for the labor and just getting that right shade of ultramarines and cerulean.

[Morgan smiles pleasantly enough, such a stark contrast to his poor beleaguered brother.]

Of course. The shade of blue is what really enraptures me. The subtlety of its gradation, changing depending on how the light hits it.

[He's always had an eye for beautiful things. This certainly qualifies.]

Three hundred is an easy sell.

[ROLLS HIS EYES]

[The artist beams, clapping her hands together.]

Perfect! Emil, please package this set and process payment for the gentleman when we're done. Oh and make sure to fill the display with, ah, the espresso cup sets. Those are rather eye-catching.

[The ever-obedient attendant goes to do as he's told, removing the display set to ready it for its new owner. Berna turns to Jacob, politely acknowledging him.]

Now as for you, sir? I shall answer a question, maybe two since I'm in a good mood.

Edited 2023-04-16 03:39 (UTC)

[Oh good. Is he being given the time of day now? Thanks. (Though maybe Morgan's propensity to buy the first thing that catches his eye aided with her generous mood.)]

Thanks. I have several questions, actually, but if I had to narrow it down... [He tilts his head over to Emil.] Your worker here looks an awful lot like someone else we've met before. Why might that be?

Why, you ask?

[Her answer? She says it with a straight near deadpan face that isn't meant to be taken seriously at all. ]

I have a taste for handsome and beautiful men with dark hair and feminine features.

[And Jake looks unimpressed.]

What, the one called Oren not good enough for you? [Maybe a namedrop would make her a little more informative, here.] You needed a version 2.0 as a backup?

Hm. So that's how it's going to be.

[Berna turns to Morgan, twirling one of her coils around her finger.]

Is your brother normally this rude?

[Simply:]

Yes.

[Maybe he should take the reins here, he thinks. Jacob was never really the best with people. Their goodwill wrought of promising to drop three hundred dollars on ceramic dishes is going down the drain.]

What my brother is trying to say is that I think we share a mutual acquaintance, Miss...?

[This Morgan fellow may be bad news but at least he's reasonably polite. And really, what more could she ask for?

Berna moves so she can push herself up onto the counter where Emil is just finishing up packing Morgan's order. The golem dutifully stands next to her while setting the ceramics aside, being able to read the room and knowing this will be a long conversation.]

I'll give you the same name I gave Thomas; just call me Jackie.

[She lazily points to the both of them.]

And I already know you two. Bits and pieces, not the whole picture but oh, those pieces are rather concerning.

[The cordial mood around her has lessened to an extent. Now it's tenser and judgemental, expressed in the way she speaks which, is not how normal people talk.]

Edited 2023-04-16 05:46 (UTC)

[One brother hikes up a single brow. The other scrunches his together, indignant and surprised. Guess which one.]

Hold on, Jackie. You’re going to have to back up there. The same name you gave who?

[Guess who neglected to tell them about her nighttime visit? A guy named Thomas.]

Edited 2023-04-16 06:18 (UTC)

[She suppresses the urge to laugh at the very gall of Thomas for not telling his partners in crime that a very powerful being had indeed walked into their hideout unhindered. Oh, she likes him even more even if it was unintentional on his part.

The witch puts on an innocent expression.]

Thomas? A one, Thomas Durand? The show he put on was so dazzling, I decided to watch it instead of going on ahead to your home.

[She beams, dangling her legs.]

And then we had a lovely nighttime walk around the premise. What a wonderful host he was! I was content so I left soon after. No harm done.

[Oh my god. Thomas, you idiot.]

Well, he sure didn’t mention anything about you visiting. How convenient.

[He can’t believe this. She waltzed straight in and he never said anything?]

Probably because he forgot.

[Weirdly, Morgan just seems amused by this new information. Less surprised than his brother. With a soul like hers, one he can see behind flesh and blood and bone, he is certain it wasn’t too difficult for her to find them at her whim.]

I’m glad he was a kind host to you, but he’s also a forgetful one. At least, if he’s trying to rid himself of his built-up energy. He isn’t always… all there, shall we say.

Still, if he would have said something, this definitely would have spared us all a rocky start to this conversation. What did he tell you about us, exactly? If anything.

Edited 2023-04-16 07:01 (UTC)

I had an inkling. [She could at least make a good guess that a man who lived that long, constantly burning and falling, would not always be the most grounded.]

As for you... Well. I was a good guest. I wasn't nosy. After a few words here and there, I made my own conclusions.

[Her focus gravitates towards Morgan as she assesses his behavior and attitude about this whole conversation. He has a calm about him that doesn't sit right with her. She now understands Oren and Iona's side.]

... What do your eyes see young man? [Berna leans forward, her eyes daring. Her voice low.]

Am I being reduced to a pretty bauble as we speak? To be packaged along with the art I am so graciously parting with?

[He is often inarguably calm. Emotion still reaches him, of course, but only ever distantly — like it has been covered by a veil before ever presented to him. Or like an item he can examine critically more than he can truly experience anymore.

It helps during situations like these, when he’s looked at like he’s being presented a challenge. A warning. Both. Morgan doesn’t falter, doesn’t even hesitate to speak.]

Now where would you have gotten an idea like that?

[(Jacob tenses in his shoulders and jaw. He keeps his gaze steady, though, purposefully unwavering.)]

But what a funny word. “Reduced”. No, I can see the real form of you, Miss Jackie. All your wants and desires and every important fragment of your life that has made you what you are… yes, all of it, and I see it as light and color. And I can read it — well, standing here, I can read only some of it. Yours is a long, long story.

[Centuries long. Yes, that much is so clear.]

So, no. I don’t see anyone as reduced. I see them as they are. And sometimes, that essence is worth extricating. And sometimes, it’s not; I see the value in all things, and working, living connections are included. Sometimes, opportunities override aesthetics.

[She's silent for a moment. He knows of her age at a glance of what lies within, the parts of her that perhaps she may have left behind. So while therein lies a vulnerability, the man must know it's better to play it cautiously so that he benefits in the end.

How irritating. If it wasn't for the fact that no one who mattered was being threatened, she'd have it half in mind to shoot a crystal through his brain for prevention purposes.

Berna leans forward, resting her chin on her hand as her elbow balances on one knee.]

Impressive. But don't stare for too long lest I blind you with brilliance.

[It's sarcasm rather than her usual boldness.]

As for opportunities, you've spoken with Oren. He will be the one to use you as he sees fit. I do not embroil myself in overly complicated affairs with just anyone.

Then good for you that we’re not just anyone. We’ve had plenty of time to build a reputation over the years.

[For good or ill. But being known is always good in Morgan’s estimation, no matter what people say about you. It makes business boom.]

I think you’re getting ahead of yourself, though, Miss Jackie. We don’t work for just anyone either. It would benefit us to know a little more about you going forward if we’re to really have a working relationship in the future. Even if it’s one where we do not see each other face-to-face all that often.

[He has to say something. He feels so wound tight that words have to be spoken. Jake wryly thinks this must be what Thomas feels like, but with his energy, instead.

Speaking of Thomas-]

He’s right. Thomas might have gotten to know you, was fine with you enough not to say a word on the matter, but he’s not the one in charge. Maybe you’d have made a better first impression if you called first before barging in.

Mm. True. I did invite myself without knocking on the front door.

[Berna shifts and that's when Emil holds out his hand so that she takes hold of it to move off the counter gracefully. The golem's behavior is noticeably stiffer now and his obsidian eyes are tracking the brothers very carefully. But Berna pats him on the shoulder and he visibly relaxes and stands by.]

In any case, you're here because of word of mouth, yes? Emil told me that you're interested in the magic inherent in each piece.

[She waves her hand dismissively.]

Small charms. Practical aids. Nothing overtly life-changing and sooner or later it will fade.

Now if you've questions about myself specifically, well, go ahead. You've crossed paths with Oren and my granddaughter so I'd suspect there are a few.

Edited 2023-04-16 16:30 (UTC)

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