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

[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.]