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

JACOB KYLE.

[ghostpranks]

[Jacob is a lot easier to find, though. He could be the first to greet you out on the yard, a skeptical look to his eyes. Suspicious, even. He’s tired, beleaguered — maybe they just came from a job, and he doesn’t have time to deal with newcomers who can’t bother to call first.

Or if you’re supposed to be here, he might try to be vaguely more polite, asking:]

So why is it you’re here, exactly?

[Only vaguely.

Otherwise? He’s having a drink in at the bar inside the house, first floor. Or he’s outside, tending to… a large patch of dead flowers?

Weird, but okay.]

some other evening

[nerine]

[Presumably, sometime after Oren's visit, everything is in its place and going through its usual routine. But blink once or twice and the door to the Midnight Grind will appear one late evening to welcome a past customer. Inside, it is surprisingly empty of anyone except for the lone barista behind the bar.

Monts, dressed in all black stands sifting some matcha powder through a sieve and into an elegant ceramic bowl. After pouring in a small amount of hot water, she gets lost in whisking the concoction, the sounds of the bamboo whisk echoing throughout the empty cafe. Even when the door opens, the young woman doesn't look up and just greets the customer as she focuses on the bright green froth of the tea.]

Good evening! Take a seat and I'll be right with you in a minute.

[ghostpranks]

[It’s that goddamned door again. The last time he saw it, it led to a cafe — which was nice. The not nice part? It also led to an awkward confrontation down the line, in the middle of “work” hours, and Jake doesn’t want to have to deal with that shit anymore. He knows better.

Or… he should.

He ends up stepping through the door again, anyway, against his better judgment. Because sometimes an escape is worth it. Sometimes he doesn’t want to think of their next job, lined up after they’ve barely had a breather from their last. Sometimes, he just wants some fucking caffeine.

So here is is. Jake sidles into a seat, looking over at Monts.]

Yeah, sure. [His eyes scan the cafe, curious but subdued, mostly.] …This place hasn’t changed.

[nerine]

[It takes her a second to pin down where she's heard his voice before; a long time has passed after all and so she has to look up to make sure she hasn't mistaken him for someone else.

Monts blinks with mild surprise when she takes in Jacob and the memory finally comes back to her.]

Oh! Hello again.

[Oren and Iona had her caught up for the most part about their particular encounter with Jacob and the other folks. Monts just always happened to never be around when they were customers except for Jacob.

Time passed and she almost forgot about it. Customers come and go after all and she had long learned to accept not to get torn over if someone never visited again. Still, this was unexpected and she was not sure if it was a bad thing or a good thing. And to be fair, Oren had cautioned her more about this Morgan guy rather than him.

Monts looks from her bowl of and back to Jacob.]

Well, I suppose it doesn't hurt to ask. Do you like matcha?

[ghostpranks]

I do now. Your golem friend left a whole load of the stuff as a gift not too long ago.

[Is she aware? He doesn't know. But now that's out there.

Still, Jake can't help but raise a brow. She remembers him, even though it was so long ago... But maybe it's not so surprising, because he remembers her, too. He drums his fingers on the countertop.]

If that's what you're working on now, I won't complain.

You're good with faces if you still remember me.

[nerine]

Oh, is that where most of it went? I was wondering why there were fewer tins around.

[Iona, is probably unaware too; she was just as confused as Monts when they went to the stockroom to take some extra green tea powder home... Interesting.

Regardless, the barista takes out a glass and fills it with ice and then some milk from the minifridge below. To the matcha, she adds some lavender syrup and stirs it in making conversation with Jacob all the while.]

I wouldn't say I'm the best at faces, but our first meeting was interesting enough to stick. What stuck out the most to me during that time was that you were... Agitated? Concerned?

Well, a little of Column A and a little of Column B.

[ghostpranks]

[He scoffs a little, watching her work.]

Both. If I remember correctly, I came in to usher a warning.

[About his brother.]

A lot of good that did me.

[nerine]

[Monts is about to ask, "So what, is he a serial killer or something?" But she decides to play it less forward and just see where the conversation will go naturally.]

Oren and Iona told me about him. [The matcha is poured over the milk and ice and its rich green color softly blends with the white.]

And really, until he actually does anything out of bounds against any of us or other customers, we'll treat him like one. A customer, I mean.

[A steel straw is given to Jacob along with his iced lavender matcha latte.]

As for me? Well, I don't know him and I reserve judgment until I actually see someone with my own eyes and talk with the person in question. Sound fair?

[ghostpranks]

Sounds moronic.

[Sorry, Jake's just this way. He slides the drink closer to himself, but he does manage to murmur a low thanks in the interim.]

You're just setting yourself up for a disaster. Morgan might act nice on the outside, but he's not...

[He frowns, pausing. Takes a sip of his drink.]

People aren't people to him anymore. They're just things, and the weirder the thing, the more tempting it is for him to make it his. And he'll look for the right angle to make it happen. We've accrued a lot of resources over the years. A lot of favors owed to us.

[One more sip!]

So you think keeping the door open to a multiversal cafe, for him, is a good idea? You're crazy.

for your entertainment

[gembonds]

[There's a rumor of an interesting little ceramics and jewelry shop that has popped up recently in the city. Art enthusiasts, craftsmen, and rich people who are looking for the next trendy aesthetic to prop themselves up have been talking. There are whispers about how the jewelry seems to uplift confidence and enhance their personal appearance. Another claim was that the dishes and mugs kept meals and drinks warm for hours at a time. The most outlandish one came from a college forum where one user said they wore a ring they bought from the shop and during their finals, their mind felt sharper than ever despite having stayed up for an all-nighter.

It sounds fantastical, silly even. But worth investigating, right?

The store is in the arts district but further away from the hustle and bustle of activity. Inside, customers are met with a colorful display of ceramicwares and in the smaller half of the shop, jewelry displays of mainly pendants, rings, and earrings. When one happens to visit in the early afternoon, the store is manned by... Oren?? No, not Oren. The young man looks similar though if a few years younger in apparent age and shorter, like a teen version of the golem. His hair is shorter as well and instead of silvery eyes, they're black like obsidian.

And unlike Oren, he smiles pleasantly, his voice inviting and polite.]

"Hello. Are you looking to purchase something or just looking?"

[ghostpranks]

[The rumor mill turns, as it always does, and in a business like this one, it's good to keep an ear to the ground. To learn what's worth investigating and what's all hot air, drummed up into exaggeration and nothing more. When rumor spread of a quaint little ceramics and jewelry shop, one whose properties seemed to grant little boons and gifts to the owner, it hinted towards something other. Magic, supernatural, a hoax? Hard to say, but worth nosing into, at least when there was not much else to do in-between jobs.

Jake and Morgan are the ones doing the investigating today, though Jake has an inkling his younger brother is just along for the ride because he likes the idea of sparkling things to look at — like a raven looking to bring something back to his nest. Probably not wrong, since Morgan is already drifting to a tall display of plates nearby to appreciate their make and color.

Jake, however, is approached by a young man that looks a lot like a certain golem, and he freezes in place, brow furrowing. What the actual hell?]

…Just browsing for now, but we’ll probably buy whatever catches our eye. Mostly, me and my brother are curious about this shop. We’ve heard a lot of good things about it.

[gembonds]

[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."

[ghostpranks]

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.]

[gembonds]

[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?

1/2

[ghostpranks]

[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-

[glassjar]

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.]

[gembonds]

[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.

1/2

[glassjar]

[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.

/KOOL-AID MAN WALL GIF

[infusion]

Wow. And Grandma didn't shoot either of you in the head with a rock? That's character development.

[Another day, another grind. Another day at the Midnight Grind, that is! Iona is running the counter along with Oren in the back taking care of food today.

She hasn't met this customer in a while but Monts had offhandedly mentioned, "By the way, that guy whose job you ruined might be showing up more. Maybe."

Iona slides a strong iced cold brew with the airiest whipped cream on top across the counter.]

Soooooo. [Awkward isn't it? Being the person who broke an urn, released a swarm monster, making everyone spend the whole night to contain it. Surely, everything is a-okay!]

;asd help

[ghostpranks]

So.

[Yeah, not awkward at all.

But credit where it's due: Jake isn't as agitated about the whole thing as he used to be. He might have clashed with Iona's grandmother, but Iona herself is relatively harmless-seeming. Personality-wise, at least. (He remembers that arm.)

He heaves a sigh.]

It was just a friendly chat. There was no need to shoot anybody in the head.

[Well, Jake was rude-ish. But what else is new.]

[infusion]

[His answer seems to reassure Iona who lights up. ]

I'm glad! Grandma's usually really carefree and devil may care you know? But when she's all business it can be tricky to navigate depending on her mood.

[Iona beams at Jacob and it's almost too sunny.]

It's nice to see you back again by the way! Monts told me she served you a while ago and I was surprised since it had been so long!

[ghostpranks]

Well, we came away with an understanding, so it's fine. It worked out.

[...Very sunny. Very energetic. The utter opposite of Jake, and sometimes he doesn't know what to do with such personalities -- except they always manage to deal with him all right, giving more leeway than most.

He leans his elbows onto the counter.]

The door appeared again recently, and I thought I'd swing by. The timing's weird, though, since yours and mine are getting entangled all over again.

[Go figure.]

[infusion]

But isn't that great?

[Iona is positively thrilled to say the least. Her golden brown eyes are shining as she claps her hands together.]

I love seeing the same people! Repeat customers are hard to retain because of the way the door works. But if it's showing up repeatedly it also means you really like us! I'd like to think that's why anyway.

[ghostpranks]

[Look at how high his brow lifts, so very skeptical.]

...You do know who you're talking about here, right?

[This group... That feels like an exaggeration.]

[infusion]

[Don't deflate her Jake! That does make her settle down and hum before continuing undeterred.]

Well, does it help if I say I don't dislike you? I mean I can't say much about the others.

[Morgan kind of goes without saying. Iona still can't shake off that unease when it comes to him.]

As long as the door shows up for you, it means you're welcome! It's our job is to serve and make you feel relaxed.