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

[spacecaser]

[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.

[gembonds]

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?

[spacecaser]

[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?

[gembonds]

[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.

[spacecaser]

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.

[gembonds]

[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.

[spacecaser]

[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]

[gembonds]

[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.

[spacecaser]

[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?

[gembonds]

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.

[spacecaser]

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.

[gembonds]

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.

[spacecaser]

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.

[gembonds]

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.

[spacecaser]

[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?

[gembonds]

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.

[spacecaser]

I should still like to see it. It’s not an art I am very familiar with, you see. It will be exciting, I think.

[He flashes her a smile, though it’s turned a little rueful. After all, it seems their meeting is reaching its end.]

I will try. Goodnight, Jackie. I miss you already! Send an invite in my direction when it suits you.