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

[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.

[ghostpranks]

[One might assume Jake would reply sarcastically to that, but instead-]

...Thanks.

["Don't dislike" is far from "like", but sometimes that's still something to appreciate, even if it has to come from a bubbly young woman.]

I'll be taking advantage of it when I see it. The door, I mean. As long as it's not too crowded in here, I could use a break now and again.

[infusion]

That's great to hear! Our crowds aren't the craziest even during busy days but it can definitely get weird!

[Iona seems content to chatter away with Jake since there were only a couple of other customers. Oren could take care of them. She'll work on some extra drink orders while talking.]

By the way, did you buy anything from my grandma? She sets up shop every once and a while to sell her work that piles up. I really wanted to visit but things have been busy on my end.

[ghostpranks]

[He taps his fingers against the countertop, for not the first time since he's begun to visit again. It's not so much a nervous tell as it is simple fidgeting; Jake has a hard time sitting still, sometimes.]

We did. Well, Morgan picked it out. A set of blue ceramic ware. Dishes, or something.

[He's almost surprised his brother showed enough self-restraint not to pick out like five more sets, but Jake assumes that Morgan knows where his priorities lie, despite his eccentricities. Hashing things out with Iona's grandmother was more pressing.]

She gave us a sake pot as a freebie, too.

[infusion]

Oh, the sake pots? Those are so fun! And useful especially if you're a college student trying to stretch your drink budget!

[She will neither deny nor confirm she has done this...]

Grandma does like selling useful ceramics and jewelry as long as they're not overly magicked. The espers who work in higher positions get kind of annoyed when they realize her stuff is in circulation but since the charms and enchantments wear off eventually, it's no harm done.

[Her golems double-check each piece just so there's nothing that won't have far-reaching consequences.]

Me, I can't really charm anything. Well. I mean I could but I think I'd have to focus on that specifically just so nothing goes wrong. But I like running the cafe more.

[ghostpranks]

Sounds like someone's speaking from experience.

[Yeah, he Knows.]

So you don't have a specialization like your grandmother?

[infusion]

I mean... No, not really. Not yet? Hm.

[Iona crosses her arms. Not every witch specializes but if they're not as powerful, they tend to focus on specific arts that suit their interests and temperament.]

Other than here, I like painting and Grandma's taught me how to make some basic ceramics. But I'm not as engrossed in pouring myself into those. I'll figure it out sooner or later but magically, I focus on the Grind the most.

Not that the drinks or food need actual magic in those. That's all skill and hard labor!

[ghostpranks]

Not “yet”, huh?

[Well, what does he know witches? His knowledge is secondhand at best, gleaned from his work and not much else. But there are some things he can say with certainty-]

If the cafe is your thing, then make it your thing. Your life doesn’t have to be all about magic, just because you happen to have some.

[infusion]

Huh.

[Iona tilts her head at Jacob.]

That's... Very nice of you to say. Thank you. Really.

[She nods vigorously.]

I'm not much of a witch since I'm still going through my average human years. [Her voice sounds less energetic and more wistful.] So it's... Been hard to imagine the future. At least I know I don't mind doing this whole cafe thing in the long run.

[ghostpranks]

[It’s easy for him to say when so much if it he wishes to apply to himself, too. But he keeps that much unsaid.]

So when do “average humans years” end and witch ones begin?

[infusion]

Hm. I guess anywhere between now and 40? My only frame of reference is Grandma and another customer of ours who's in her sixties in terms of where the aging stops.

[Iona's arms which are still crossed, taps one finger into the crook of her elbow and one can tell gears are turning in her head as she thinks about this.]

I don't know if you noticed when you met her but I guess it's kind of obscure. The age is just "youthful."

Actually, don't tell me you were looking at Grandma now we're getting into weird territory.

[iona you made it weird]

[ghostpranks]

[what]

What? No. [IONA WHY ARE YOU MAKING IT WEIRD] I just figured she was pretty old because my brother said as much. It’s not… it’s not like that. Jesus.

1/2 NOT HERE

[oren]

[If Oren had it in mind to groan audibly he would, but he's looking after the soup right now.]

[infusion]

[Iona sighs with relief!!]

Phew! So it's nothing huh? That's fine!

Oh, but it's totally normal for anyone and everyone to look at her and go, 'Wowza!'

[NO ONE SAYS WOWZA ANYMORE]

So that must mean you're super resilient. No wonder Grandma got so testy with you! [she gives jake a thumbs up 🙃👍]

[ghostpranks]

[Oh my god.]

No one says “wowza”. Believe me. She’s not my type.

[But. Hm.]

Don’t look too relived, though. Something tells me I’m not the one you gotta worry about.

[infusion]

[Iona was about to ask Jake what his type was but he has been saved by piquing her interest with the last remark.]

Hm? What do you mean by that?

[ghostpranks]

[If he has to suffer through this knowledge, then so, too, do you, Iona.

Bluntly:] I mean I think another guy in our group has a thing for her. He offered for her to “stay the night” once but she turned him down.

[infusion]

[In the kitchen, Oren has paused for a few seconds from stirring the soup... And resumes, he's used to it when it comes to Berna.

Iona on the other hand has a much funnier reaction. Her cheeks flush when she realizes what Jake means by "stay the night."]

Oh. Wow. Woooow.

[She cups her cheeks with her hands and glances to the side giggling nervously.]

Her game is sooo powerful, oh my gooood...!!

[It's kind of embarrassing to hear about and be inflicted with the knowledge sure, especially since Iona doesn't exactly ask about Berna's love life. She always had the impression Grandma just does what she wants in that field like everything else in life and with her age and experience as a witch, her standards are rather malleable not even touching whatever is between her and Oren.

But hol' up a minute.]

Wait. [Iona looks at Jacob, squinting.]

Who's this guy? Is he a scumbag too?

[IONA........]

[ghostpranks]

[MA’AM?]

…“too”, huh? [Now Jake’s going to be difficult and not answer the question!!] Can’t believe this is how you treat repeat customers.

[He’s not actually offended.]

[infusion]

[The young witch laughs and it's how anyone can tell she was definitely joking around. It's a joyful one, indicative of how she truly lives for moments like these with her customers.]

Sorry, sorrrrry. For that, the next drink is on the house, okay?

[And she cheekily adds while cupping her mouth with one hand as if whispering:]

That iiis if you tell me about this guy in your group. I know Grandma can handle herself, but you're just dangling delicious bait in front of me!

[ghostpranks]

[Jake actually smiles. It’s as faint as a ghost, and doesn’t last long, but it’s there. He’s amused, clearly. Plus, a free drink? No complaints here.]

Guess I’ll forgive you. As long as I get free shit.

[He leans forward…]

As for the guy, his name’s Thomas.

[And it’s not his place to relay Thomas’ story to just anyone.

Good thing Jake doesn’t care!]

He’s… been around for a while. Longer than any of us, at least. He’s from France, like, all the way back when Napoleon was a thing. He was a thief and a criminal in those days, so not much has changed, really.

[What a shining endorsement.]

He has a lot of power, too. Makes him loopy sometimes. Born with a janky soul and all that.

[A VERY SHINING ENDORSEMENT. This is still far from all the finer details, and he’s cutting some parts out, but this is fine.]

[infusion]

[He has Iona's attention with that backstory and she nods with each detail Jacob relays. Frenchman okay, that explains the bold flirtation (Berna does have nostalgia for France in the past). Back from the days of Napoleon, cool, cool, then he's got centuries on him, the age difference basically doesn't matter... Lots of power and loopy...

Hmm. Well, Berna knows what she's doing most of the time. Iona sure hopes so. But more importantly...]

Um. But is he... Well, is he nice? I know that's such a basic question but... Yeah.

[Iona leans forward on the counter to rest her elbows, thinking.]

... Never mind. You don't have to answer that.

[She does give Jake a small smile.]

He sounds interesting though. Definitely someone I'd like to meet at least once.

[ghostpranks]

…I don’t know how to answer that.

[If he’s nice. If any of them are “nice”. Some of them are sociable, yes, a far cry from what even Jake can muster. But there’s rarely anything nice about this work, and the kind of person you have to be to do it.

That aside, Thomas’ mood fluctuations so often…]

I guess you’ll find out if he ever swings by. To be honest with you, though? I’d rather deal without the extra complication this all brings.

[infusion]

[Iona is not so immature that she doesn't understand the implications so she nods along not needing further elaboration.]

In the end it's not my business.

And maybe we don't have to overthink about two really, really old people flirting.