THE JARS THAT BLEED BEFORE THEY BREAK.

[glassjar]

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.

Comments

[gembonds]

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?

[glassjar]

[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...?

[gembonds]

[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.]

[ghostpranks]

[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.]

[gembonds]

[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.

1/2

[ghostpranks]

[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?]

[glassjar]

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.

[gembonds]

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?

[glassjar]

[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.

[gembonds]

[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.

1/2

[glassjar]

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.

[ghostpranks]

[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.

[gembonds]

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.

1/2

[glassjar]

Really? Small or not, I hope my set comes with a particularly fun charm to last for a while.

[ghostpranks]

[MORGAN WHO CARES ABOUT THE DISHES!!!]

Let’s start simple, then. Who are you, exactly? Other than just “Iona’s grandmother.” Tell us your deal. We’re not asking for a life story, just the basics. Nothing more than we’d ask from a regular client.

[gembonds]

[If Oren were here, he'd have words for Jacob about how he was behaving towards Berna. Luckily, he is not here and Berna is perfectly capable of letting the blunt manners bounce off of her. One way is addressing Morgan first about his dishes.]

Oh yes, those dishes you purchased? Perfect for salads, the vegetables will taste much crisper and fresher than before.

[To Jacob she glances at him enigmatically.]

My deal? I'm a witch, an artist, and a grandmother. Nothing more, nothing less. Though I do have my obligations; if I catch wind of something tricky, or too disruptive, I will act. I was the one who asked Iona to retrieve that urn a while back.

[ghostpranks]

[This is just how Jake is. Blunt, and unwilling to mince words. Unwilling to waste time. He doesn’t like playing games, unlike Morgan who has more patience, willing to humor a tangent or two.

Morgan gives a satisfactory look — but it’s towards the dishes, of course.

Jake, meanwhile:]

So that whole mess can be pinpointed right back to you. You realize your meddling made an even bigger fiasco of the whole thing, right? That was supposed to be an easy job.

[gembonds]

Yes, I think I could have had someone else or myself handle it directly instead of her. She needed the experience though and I am not always available.

[She makes a few paces to the other side of the shop where the vases are scanning them idly.]

But I also believe we are way past the blame game. Don't be so sour, boy. Besides, I made you a nicer urn didn't I?

[And Oren delivered it, yay!]

1/2

[ghostpranks]

[He tracks her with his eyes, but neither brother moves from their spot.

Her attitude rankles him.]

Don’t call me boy, witch.

[glassjar]

Jacob, calm down.

[Honestly. He looks at Berna again.]

You’ll have to forgive him. You see, the loss wasn’t the urn itself. For my brother, it’s a matter of pride. And for our group, it’s a matter of reputation. What does it look like for us, to be handed a relatively simple retrieval job, only to mess it up so spectacularly?

It’s long in the past, of course. But it didn’t look very good at the time.

[gembonds]

And? Are you implying that I should do something about it after all this time?

[Berna, despite showing and voicing her displeasure has been calm all things considered. Her golem, concerned with his creator's mood, gently interrupts.]

"Would you like me to complete their purchase or...?"

[She shakes her head at Emil.]

No, let's see where this is going. I'll allow them a few more questions before you show them out.

[glassjar]

No. That would be silly to expect recompense for something ultimately unimportant, after so long.

[And though Morgan’s people skills are better than this brother, he understands Jacob’s frustrations. No questions first, only clarification:]

Even so, it affected our work, our livelihood. It wasn’t your fault, but it was the fault of someone you sent—family, no less—so your flippant disregard of responsibility isn’t exactly appreciated. I understand why my brother is frustrated. Surely you understand, too.

[gembonds]

[After a few seconds of silence, Berna lets out a puff of breath. If it was just a matter of pride, it wasn't the best idea to try and appeal to her considering her own pride, willing to continue being flippant. She has to remind herself that it wasn't just about her. She involved had Oren, Iona, and Michael involved in a (small- look, it's small to her) mess none of them could have anticipated.

She could hear Oren chiding her gently in her head for her own decision-making and she feels more irritated, but more able to concede. Emil is looking at her expectantly and she finally turns to look the brothers squarely in the eyes.]

I won't apologize for something none of us could foresee. But... [An index is raised to punctuate her next point.]

I can understand. I do in fact. You don't live as long as I have without a stumble or two.

[glassjar]

[This accedence seems to be enough to please him. He glances at Jacob, who gives him a sharp look yet adds nothing more. Morgan knows enough to interpret this as a small concession on his brother's end, too, and he continues:]

Then that's all either of us require. A simple understanding. And as I told Oren, it's really water under the bridge at this point.

So. [He spreads his hands in an almost-shrug.] Let's start over. What do you say? I'm always looking to expand my business dealings, and it sounded like your golem friend showed interest on your behalf, should you ever need us. Or am I assuming too much?

[gembonds]

Hm. Oren makes his own decisions.

[But they always do end up revolving around her and Iona by extension. He's getting better at learning to expand his horizons more, to find room in his soul for others but...]

If he sees the need, he will contact you first. My role will be rather distant but who knows? Things change.

Oh, before you pay Emil and go on our way, I'll throw in a free piece. For all the trouble, of course.