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]

[Pfft.]

And how old are you now, exactly? Sorry to break it to you, but you might have missed your window.

[infusion]

I'm only in my 20s so in witch years I'm still growing! And that means upwards too!

[Sure, sure....]

[ghostpranks]

Yeah... I dunno about that.

I think you've probably capped out, shorty.

[infusion]

Uuuggh...

[Iona comically leans against the espresso machine, dreams of height being dashed once again.

Before she forgets and let's Jake enjoy cafe ambience, the witch turns to him again.]

Er, change of topic but I wanted to ask you about your powers... Not what it does, but is it ok if I ask you anything else about them?

[Cause she's thinking about her boyfriend and how he discovered his powers in a tragic way...]

[ghostpranks]

[He's a little more relaxed now, at least. But whether that's a big leap or just a low bar to clear is up for debate.

He shrugs a little.]

Sure, if you want.

[infusion]

Hm. Without going into much detail, when did you discover you had powers? Or did you know you always had it?

[ghostpranks]

[Oh. Well. He supposes that's a question he should have expected.]

...No. I didn't know about them until later on.

[He sets his jaw, trying to think on how much he wants to say.]

Morgan knew about his powers ever since he was a kid. I was a late bloomer, I guess. But back when we were... getting into this business, really dipping our feet into the shady shit, things weren't easy. All we had was each other. No connections, no resources, barely any reputation.

[It was. Rough.]

Anyway, long story short: he almost died on a job, once. [Back when that was an issue.] My powers manifested then. I saved him last second.

[infusion]

[Iona listens to Jake without interrupting. There's a bit of an ache, knowing that Jake had his brother's back, never mind her opinion on Morgan himself.

Solomon wasn't there for her like that, not when it mattered most. It wasn't necessarily his fault; he wasn't in the right place at the right time. But he also had made himself separate intentionally, focused on his individuality, strong in his independence.

When Jake finishes his story, the witch nods.]

I see. Discovery under duress.

[She's clutching her right arm automatically.]

[ghostpranks]

Yeah. A real fun time.

[Sarcasm.

Not that he would do anything to change that moment. Jake and Morgan might disagree about a lot, stand on varying levels of moral ground, wish for different things at their core, but... he's still family. The only family he has left.

But sometimes he really wishes they could have found purpose in another way, though damned if he knows how.]

What about you? What's your story? [A pointed look down at her arm, which he of course notices the tell. He notices a lot.]

[infusion]

Me? Oh... Um.

[It would be easy, to play the cheeky and tricky hostess who laughed about her own grievances. But he had given her sincerity without giving all the parts. She could at least do the same.

When Jake glances at her arm, Iona releases it.]

I guess... Long story short, I blew up my arm. Under duress.

[A pause as she bites her lower lip slightly.]

I was kidnapped and I panicked. Up to that point, my magic hadn't awakened yet.

[ghostpranks]

[He shouldn't so much as flinch; he knows this. Kidnapping? Their own group has dipped their toes into that more than once for those who pay enough, no questions asked. But where the others are able to draw a hard line between personal feelings and work—even if some are better than most—Jake has always struggled with it. It’s why he’d rather bow out of some jobs and let Thomas be the heavy-hitter instead. At least that guy can rely on his probably-not-great coping mechanisms to get the job done when it’s needed. Centuries in his pocket to learn how to harden the heart, even for a boss he doesn't always get along with. And that’s all that matters.

Sometimes, Jake's envious of that.

So, yeah. He frowns. He can’t help but feel empathetic.]

…A real fun time. [He echoes his own words, rueful and quiet.] You got an upgrade, though, didn’t you? Your arm.

[infusion]

[There's that energetic nod again and a smile.]

Yeah! Grandma made it for me.

[She keeps Oren out of her story. No doubt that the connection between her and the golem can't stay completely hidden from certain eyes but she doesn't need to elaborate presently.]

Or, more accurately, I had to use my magic to shape it first and then she went in for the final details. I just glamor it up and ta-da!

[The arm is stretched out proudly with wiggling fingers.]

You can't even tell! Not until I sucker punch a fool.

[ghostpranks]

[Thankfully, Jake wouldn't be able to suss out that connection otherwise, anyway. He'd need Thomas for that, or even Morgan, depending on just how her arm worked.

So he remains oblivious. No reason not to believe it was her grandmother's doing, anyway.]

Or... when you break priceless urns. Hm?

[Now he's just giving her shit.]

[infusion]

Uh. Listen?

The urn had it coming for being breakable in the first place.

[ghostpranks]

What the hell kind of logic is that? That's like murdering a guy and saying, "it's his fault for being murderable."

[infusion]

I mean.



The math checks out.

[ghostpranks]

[Oh my god.

He chuckles.]

Careful. That's a mindset for people like me and mine, not you.

[infusion]

You're right, you're right... Oh!

[The door opens and some customers step inside. Iona waves to them and then at Jake.]

Enjoy the rest of your time here! Just let Oren know if you'd like anything else. It was great talking with you!

[Amelia grins at the man before handling the other people.]