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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[There's a gleam in her eyes behind the dark color it sports. She confirms his question with a nod.]

You have strong senses.

[The remaining crystals in the air continue to light their path around them and Berna turns her gaze towards the night sky.]

It is magic, yes. My magic, my essence, and my arts. There is a saying about putting a part of yourself into your work. The personal touch. When I touch the earth, be it clay, stone, or metal, it's inevitable.

[He seems pleased and his grin widens.]

I am, in fact, the most sensitive one here!

[...in more ways than one. He rolls the crystal between his fingers, gently, feeling its warmth.]

So your magic... It is related to earthen things. Stone and soil and crystal. You build with it?

[Her jewelry, and he supposes, maybe other things. What better element to build from, than the earth itself?]

Less related to earthen things. More of a chosen focus. If I put my mind to it... Many things are possible.

[Witches are terrifying creatures when one really thinks about it. On their side of the woods, maybe it's a good thing there are very few of them that are on the level of magic that she and the Emerald Witch are on.]

A clear mind, a vision, total purpose... Only then will one's magic make an effect on the world around them.

[And she's had a long, long, time to get very good at it.]

What of you? What is your light? Must it burn away in the sky or around you as regularly as you say?

[That does sound terrifying if he did take the proper time to think about it. But again, given his state of mind, (the leftover thrill of using his powers, letting them burn out) he can only think of it as wonderful. So, so many opportunities. The whole world might change at her whim. What a power!]

"Total purpose". You make it sound so easy, Jackie.

[For him, he tries to avoid having a clear mind. He'd be terrible at magic, he thinks.]

My light? My light is my soul's power — the power of a star in the night sky. My soul is that of a star, you see, but instead? Fate is cruel, and has misplaced me in the wrong body. A too-small body.

[His turn to crane his neck up to the night sky.]

I belong up there. The others say that cannot be true, that stars do not have souls. But I feel it. How else can it be explained?

Edited 2023-04-15 01:56 (UTC)

[What a strange story. How beautiful, how unique. Berna looks at him again and her expression is complex but soft. Compassionate.]

... I believe you.

[So many centuries ago, before her time a star fell to the earth sleeping, lying on wait. Right when she hit a century in age did the witch find that star, now a malevolent crystal, form it into something else, and gave it another purpose.

How fortuitous. How odd and wonderful her personal discoveries and encounters can still be.]

What a tragedy it must be, to be below while yearning for the above. But I hope you've had your joy along with sorrow.

I hope that this time with me is not so dull.

[And that—I believe you—makes him grip onto the crystal more fervently, makes him stop in his tracks, even with Jackie still linked to his arm. He turns and looks at her, brows shooting straight up.]

You do?

[That is the best thing he’s heard in so very long.]

Oh, Jackie, it is like being stuffed into a tiny cage, with so much trying to spill out. Always, always trying to spill out. Do you know, that is why I burn my energy away? [(It is not actually why; just a fragment of a reason why. But it isn’t technically a fully-fledged lie.)] To make room, to feel like I can breathe. It is a necessary release.

But of course time with you is not dull. I am having fun. I hope you’re also having fun. I— hmm. I wish you could tell the others that you believe me. Hammer it into Jacob and Morgan’s heads, especially.

[Berna nods, smiling serenely all the while.]

I'm having a wonderful time. Even after all these years, knowing I'm able to meet so many different souls... It's what keeps me young, you know. Figuratively of course.

[His explanation she accepts for now; not that she takes everything at face value but Berna isn't here to force answers. The truth will come about its own way.

At the mention of Jacob and Morgan, the witch hums under her breath. She has heard... Things about them. She keeps the conversation about Thomas in the meanwhile.]

Why don't they believe you? Are they being callous? Is it so hard to believe when all of you have different sparks dull eyes cannot perceive?

Edited 2023-04-15 04:32 (UTC)

[Why don’t they? Why, indeed. Now, Thomas frowns.]

Morgan can sense souls. See them. Do… other things to them. And he tells me that stars do not have souls — that if the sun had one, he would have taken it long before now.

[That was probably a joke, but it settles unwell.]

That is his logic. Jacob believes him, too. The girls? They humor me, but I do not think they believe me, either. But at least they are kinder about it.

[So that's why Oren is wary around Morgan in particular, why her precious granddaughter who had so much love in her heart for others, could not understand her own unease towards him.

A man who sees souls, treasures them, and then what? That sounds like nothing good, nothing at all.

Berna reaches over to give a reassuring pat on Thomas's arm.]

Even with all my experience, there are things out of reach, beyond comprehension... That includes stars beyond our skies. I can perhaps make a facsimile... Like so.

[One of her floating crystals starts to fly higher, higher, and even higher until it's so far away that it's impossible to reach. But oh, does it gleam and shine, a diamond in the sky.]

... But I don't know of many stars with souls. Perhaps once they touch the earth, that's when they no longer are one.

[And her crystal in the sky bursts, blipping out of existence.]

Edited 2023-04-15 05:41 (UTC)

[The pat on his arm is reassuring, despite the subject matter. Even when she sends up a crystal, high into the sky, where it glitters and then shatters, he watches it quietly, and the sight is still a beautiful one.]

I have been on earth for a long time.

[An exhale, then he hands her back the crystal he’s been holding onto.]

So what does that make me now? Just a man.

How long?

[She asks him in a hushed whisper. It felt right to do so; she and Iona shared that similarity of listening to the stories of others, letting their hearts hurt for them (maybe less in her case; but Berna is rather sentimental)

The returned crystal glides out of his hand and lingers around the witch's face.]

How long have you felt lost?

[His smile quirks rueful.]

Now, I am not always lost. Sometimes I have fun. Like tonight!

[He can’t let this harsh his vibe. Not when feeling good was the whole point of nights like this one.]

But if you are asking how old I am… sometimes I lose track of the exact years. [Ask him when he’s more lucid.] Ah… Last year, we celebrated my birthday. I think. The cake said “220”. It must be correct, no?

[Berna blinks, visibly surprised. Older than she thought, but still young in compared to her.]

Oh my. I must remind myself to send you a present when you hit 221.

Edited 2023-04-15 06:29 (UTC)

Haha, I’ve surprised you. I look good for my age, don’t I?

[He’s teasing.]

But you are too kind. Yet also: please do! I have a summer birthday. It is in August.

[There's good humor all around so she doesn't mind. It's good to be taken aback every once and a while.]

Duly noted Thomas, duly noted. 221 only comes once a year after all.

[Her arm around his is relaxed and friendly and Berna realizes that all this talk has gone on longer than she thought. But it is pleasant and she does like feeling pleasant.]

I must let you know, I have been enjoying myself. It was a good idea to visit at night instead.

Edited 2023-04-15 07:14 (UTC)

[Oh yay, a birthday gift! He will have to wait a few months more, but it is something to look forward to. That is always, always nice.]

I cannot wait, Jackie.

[He smiles at her, then continues their walk. They're passing by the house now, slowly, past the back porch. Some windows glow from the lights within, some are dark.]

You can stay. All night if you wish. You are very good company, and so am I.

[yeah sorry he has to flirt a little because he's not blind]

[Berna laughs, delighted by the boldness. Her crystals blink along with her laughter, emphasizing the reaction. She'd probably be a little offended if he hadn't given her that attention. When she speaks again, the ethereal gives way once again to the young and new voice.]

Wow! I should have known you were a cad. Don't threaten me with a good time or I might just take you up on your offer.

[The witch knows it isn't serious and that's why it's so sweet, like enjoying the aroma of sugar and imagining on one's tongue.

Berna gives his arm a squeeze, her next remark cou.]

Besides I'd think twice before entangling yourself with an older woman.

[Hey, if you don't shoot your shot, how does he know if it's a yes or no? And the answer is at least vaguely promising, even if the whole exchange is light and airy and not terribly prone to be taken seriously.]

A cad? Jackie, I am a gentleman. [Usually.] But I suppose that is only more reason for me to show you a good time, right?

[Well, that's fine, too. If she doesn't want to stay the night, then at least they can enjoy their walk -- their chatter. He likes the way her crystals blink when she laughs, and he thinks it's mesmerizing.]

Older? [Oh, well. He supposes the magic has something to do with that.] Should I ask, or is that rude of me?

Not at all. Y'know, once you reach a certain age and hardly change, it's not that big of a deal.

[Iona has yet to come to terms with that fact about witches. Berna knows that she's still very human in her mindset while in her case... Well, witches were designed by the Witch King, a very inhuman thing.

She smiles up at Thomas.]

400, give or take. I'm not too concerned about the exact digits.

Edited 2023-04-15 18:50 (UTC)

400? [His turn to look surprised. That's almost two centuries older than him. What sort of things has she seen in her time? Sacré Dieu, indeed.]

And yet you don't look a day over 100. Besides, I am not afraid of entangling myself with older women. It is as you say, what does it matter after you reach a certain point?

[Not a lot, honestly. Certainly not in his case.]

And age is just a number.

You're too kind. Most people don't have the luxury we do and I fully intend to indulge.

[But it can get lonely, very much so. It's why she had Oren, and other than him, she thought she could have something longer lasting other than herself.]

I would love to stay, don't get me wrong. But my work beckons. I don't think this is the last you'll see of me if that's any consolation.

Of course. I do understand. Work is important; I am not blaggard enough to stand here and try to convince you otherwise.

[And the little wave of disappointment is, at least, blunted by the maybe-promise of crossing paths again.

...Ah, right. His little ball of energy. She made him forget all about it. He twists a wrist and summons it again, burning hot and bright.]

Visit anytime you like. You have my blessing. I do not care what the others say.

Thank you.

[Her arm around his loosens but her fingers trace around his wrist and over his palm. His light feels warm and for a moment she wants to be young and reckless, just a fool for a few more hours. But she's lived too long to truly be risky anymore, not when at the core of it all, she wants to know what the danger that is being posed towards her remaining family.

It's such a shame. For now, Thomas is on her good side. The others, she'll have to see.]

I'll see when I can visit. Or if possible, I'll extend an invite to you. Who knows? We have all the time in the world.

[All the time in the world. Sometimes that’s not always a good thing.

But again, it’s always nice to have something to look forward to. Her touch is nice, too; light, sending a little thrill up his spine.]

Oh, I would love to visit you. I get listless, staying here all the time. You might show me your… jewelry-making process?

That and more. I like ceramics as well.

[Berna sets her hand down to readjust the skirt of her dress.]

It's nothing too out of this world, mind you. I use a lot more practical tools than one would think for my work. Magic is usually the last element or a way to speed up some processes. But even then, I don't like rushing the details.

[She has been known not to leave her studio years at a time although Oren has told her she needs to set a better work schedule instead of going between two extremes of extroversion and introversion.]

Sleep well if you can Thomas. This has been an evening to treasure.

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spacecaser - 2023-04-15 22:08 (UTC) - Expand

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