finalflight | THE JARS THAT BLEED BEFORE THEY BREAK.

[Iona quietly takes out a ceramic mug and pours the black coffee into it while listening to Thomas. It's kind of funny; she remembers meeting her grandmother for the first time as a child and thinking the same thing he did. But in addition to that Berna was a fascinating lifeform, far removed from anything she had been able to comprehend back then and she felt too overwhelmed to call her, "Grandma."

And over the years, the more she learned about how Berna went through life, the more a lot of things made sense about her. Somewhat anyway.]

She is easy to talk to, isn't she? [Iona sets the mug of coffee in front of Thomas; it has a full-bodied scent of dark chocolate, notes of citrus fruit, and other complex flavors.]

I think she loves people in her own way and tries to capture the features she likes in the golems she creates. They keep her company in her workshop when she's lost in her art and spell craft you know.

[She takes a step back, crossing her arms with a complex smile across her face.]

But they can only give so much which is why she'll suddenly be a social butterfly for a while and then disappear again.

[It is a dark, strong scent, with a hint of citrus. Thomas brings the mug to his lips, savoring the taste as she speaks. Yes, that's very good coffee. It relaxes him, not that he needed much relaxing, still a little overwrought from the previous couple of days.]

I met Antoine the other day. A useful sort of fellow, no?

[But at the news of Berna disappearing for a while, he can't help but feel a little disappointed.]

And I take it she is in her "disappearing" stage?

Antoine? Oh yeah, him! He's been around for a long while. Really dependable.

[Iona smiles at the memory of the combat and stealth expert of a golem. She hopes the others can come to visit in the future ~~barring Lillian who will most certainly come around tax season, ohnoooooo~~

And when Thomas asks about Berna's disappearing stage... Dammit, Iona can't help herself. She tries to sound casual.]

Well, it could be... Buuuuut!! [KEEP IT CASUAL IONA...]

Berna checks up on me and Solomon every now and then. If someone really wants to see her... Yeah! She won't stay hidden for long. [Phew, nailed it.]

She's gotten better at being present for loved ones.

[Look at this brow raise… and raise…

The faux casualness comes across as nothing but pure enthusiasm to Thomas’ ears. What did Lyra or Jake say to her about him, exactly?]

So you are to mean that I should visit more often and hope to see her again here. That is not a bad idea. Family did seem important to her.

[Hm.]

Might I ask, and not to change the subject… But what did the others say about me? Out of curiosity.

Edited (Auto correct please ) 2023-04-20 06:09 (UTC)

Yes! Family. Family is very important and we're her only grandchildren after all!

[Iona isn't sure if Thomas is totally buying her attitude. And oh god, he's asking what she's been told... And she does have Jake to thank for giving her other information about the man in front of her aside from how he hit on Berna.]

Oh! Well, actually Jacob told me about the crazy powerful energy you have in you. It's definitely making my right arm ticklish but, don't worry about that. And he also told me about your background as a thief and... And...

[The young woman suddenly looks worried and fairly distracted. She grabs her phone from her back pocket to check the time.]

Ahhh, oh nonono...!

[Of course Jake divulged information about him, he thinks. The man does whatever he wants, as long as it doesn’t go against his brother’s whims. At least it sounds generalized.

But now he’s concerned about Iona’s sudden shift in priorities.]

Let me guess. You are late to… something? You should not have humored me for so long, Miss Iona.

No, no, no! Talking to you was good, I'd rather do that than worry about this... Ugh, I could wait until tomorrow but...

[It's not supposed to be a big deal, Iona thinks. There was just a matter of that painted lady with her haunting smile and seductive eyes that's been jumping from painting to painting, enthralling her classmates with her perfect rendering, throwing them for a loop, and messing with their minds. She wanted it taken care of by herself.

Currently, she knows it's in the university art gallery in one of the smaller paintings. It hasn't moved yet and they were going to close up for the night. Locked up, campus security and police on their rounds as usual...

Goddammit. Iona sucks at logistics. "Everything will work out," is not a mantra that's been helping her, especially since the last time she had that mindset Oren and Michael were there specifically to help pick up the mess she made.

If she wanted it completed without having to bother anyone else, she would have to go in and steal it... Steal... Like a thief...

Iona glances at Thomas reluctantly.]

Mr. Durand...?

[He can practically see her taking the time to think. Though Thomas is no mind-reader; he cannot hope to know what it is.

He sips his coffee, arching a brow from over the rim.]

Yes, Miss Iona?

Um...

Do you wanna help me steal something?

✨✨✨

[Mission Status: ACTIVE

This is an unconventional way to go about business especially of a shadier type. Iona almost had second thoughts as she filled Thomas Durand on the details of what they're going to steal. Almost backed out as they went through the door, through her apartment and out on the streets of Los Angeles.

But they're in the main quad of the university now and the young witch glances over at Thomas.]

You know, I'm grateful, but surprised you're ok with a last minute hiring.

But I'm kind of excited now too!

[She is totally related to Berna...]

[THIS SURE SEEMS A LITTLE... DEJA VU... AS ONE WOULD SAY...

But of course he offers to help. Art theft? (Supernatural art theft, at that.) That is the bread and butter of any proper cat burglar, and it certainly brings him back to the simpler days.

He's glancing about, hands in his pockets, trying to get a feel for the campus as a whole. Plenty of security, or is it sparse in the late afternoon to evening?]

I can see that. Making risky decisions on the fly, mm?

[Yes, related to Berna for sure.]

A "last minute thing" works in my favor. I need to stay awake somehow, and this should be the boost I need. But I must know, what it is you intend to do with the painting after it is stolen away?

[There's a decent amount of security since the student art show is an upcoming event. Lot of moving parts and items and things are bound to be swept up and lost.

Iona adjusts her backpack shoulder straps before leading Thomas towards one of the galleries that are still open.]

What am I going to do with it? I... Haven't thought that far but I usually let Grandma or Oren take care of the things I retrieve.

Cause I don't know about you but I'm not looking to keep a creepy painted lady in my room or cafe anytime soon.

[He follows, assessing. A "decent amount of security" at a university is not very worrisome or troublesome as far as Thomas is concerned. It is, in fact, a bit mundane for him now; but who is he to complain? He is not in an ideal state for anything overly complicated, but just perfectly attuned for a "heist" that is more low-key.

(Assuming the painting itself gives them little issue.)

Speaking of-]

I can take it back with me. The painting. Add it to the ever-growing collection of strange things.

Mm. Ok! That can be in addition to the payment too.

[Iona has saved up a decent amount of personal allowance and insisted she compensate Thomas fairly. ]

Now the little itty bitty challenge is locking her down to one illustration. Swear to god, she's been hovering in the animation department and the medical illustrations display too. I think she's been mocking me specifically since I'm the only one who's noticed her.

Edited 2023-04-20 19:38 (UTC)

[Yeah, Iona, he's not going to take your money. But he doesn't have to mention that now.]

What is she, specifically, then? A spirit? Something else? Does she communicate with you -- tell you why she is flitting from artwork to artwork, making life hell for students here?

I thiiink the one time I told her to come with me or else I'm shaking her out of the acrylic abstract made her kind of shut up on me.

[Iona........]

Too aggressive you think?

Edited 2023-04-20 20:02 (UTC)

[ ... ]

Eh. [Shrugs.] Persuasion is an art. Sometimes... aggressive persuasion is just as effective as a silver tongue.

However, I only ask because I may have the ability to calm her, but I am not sure if it works on a ghost, per se.

Edited 2023-04-20 20:03 (UTC)

[s-she's related to Berna honest......]

Really? Maybe this isn't a ghost of sorts so we might as well try what we've got in our arsenal.

I'm trusting in your abilities as a professional thief so I'm down for anything! I'll follow your lead if you have better ideas! Minus murder. I don't think we have anyone to do that to for this job so we're in the clear!

[And she even gives him a thumbs up, the most cheerful way ever.]

[He barks a laugh.]

Murder? For a painting in a university art gallery? Imagine how tits-up this would have to go for that to happen.

[Pardon his language.]

Show me the gallery first, if you can.

Maybe someone will get injured but that's all we're hoping for IF things go tits up.

[Oren isn't here to police anyone's language!!

Iona ushers Thomas into the student gallery further near the end. The work although amateur is still impressive; at least this university houses raw talent. As they go past self-portraits, abstracts, still lifes, and photographs, Iona points to the back at a mid-size square canvas that depicts a historical 1950s scene of mobsters in a casino, gambling, and having gorgeous women hanging onto their arms. Seems normal, busy but colorful and...

The witch points to a curly-haired blonde whose baby-blue-eyed gaze is just slight enough to seem like it's looking at the viewer but distant enough to simply be paint on a canvas.]

And that's her. Depending on where she jumps, her hairstyle changes, but not her hair color or eye color. Other than myself, if other people stare too long, they get... Uh.

[Iona gestures at her head making several loops with her index finger.]

Unfortunately, as art students, most people are assuming they're huffing turpentine.

[He spares some of the artwork a glance or two as they tread through the gallery, but none of it truly earns his attention. It isn't what they're here for; and there certainly isn't the sense of something imbued in it, not like the painting she leads him to. Thomas jams his hands in his pockets, leaning forward to get a better look.]

So that is her? Yes, I can see something a little... off about her.

[Unearths a hand and waggles it in front of the painting, then snaps his fingers, uncaring of who's watching. He's testing the waters.]

Hello, Mademoiselle? Are you to get in my head, too?

[For several seconds there's no reaction. But there must be something about Thomas because the blue eyes move to look at him specifically. There's definitely a pull in the form of a whisper, enticing the viewer into its dream within the painting.

(Laughter, cigarette smoke, the clattering of dice on the table, haphazard music, a confused mixture of beatnik and jazz music, perfume, elements of the painting, but an incomplete scene, imperfect, except her, she's beautiful and beckoning—)

Next to him, the witch goes, "Tch!" under her breath when she sees the eyes move. Iona's watching Thomas carefully to see if he'll be affected.]

[Yes, those eyes move, he sees it. And then the whispering begins, the pull of something that feels like someone trying to drag him into a languid dream-

But when it comes to mental manipulation, to dreams especially, Thomas has more resistance than most. It is dizzying for a moment, but it simply reminds him a lesser version of what Lyra can do. He is not thrown off by it due to this alone.

He straightens, blinking away the images.]

Aha. She tries to play my own tricks against me. Disorienting, but it will not work.

[Iona bounces on her feet and claps her hands together relieved and admiring Thomas all at once.]

Awesome! I'm so glad you're helping out!

[She's excited at the prospect of this whole venture working out for once. Maybe not without a hitch or two, but it's gonna work.

Speaking of.]

Ah. She moved.

[It's true- the painted lady has retreated and in her place is a brunette instead.]

See, she's kind of a sore loser whenever her weirdo spider vibes don't work. [Iona's wiggling her fingers in front of her face to emphasize this. Animated girl, this one.]

So now she'll find another painting, blend in and try on another person.

[One can only hope it works out. It seems simple enough; and surely this cannot end any worse than a giant tree sprouting and taking root in the middle of a room, blasting itself up through the ceiling--

Thomas notices how the painting's changed, then looks over his shoulder at the rest of the gallery.]

She won't be able to get away. I can sense her; it will take little more than a trawl through the gallery again to find her.

[He looks at Iona again.]

Still, there is no point in trying to subdue her now. We will have to wait until this gallery locks up, when there is no one around. And then we might solve the issue of the "weirdo spider vibes" lady in a more permanent manner.

What time do the doors lock?

[Iona checks her phone and the department's website to reference the hours.]

Looks like they close early today. 8:30 PM they close up to clean up and turn off the lights. I think that means 9 PM is when we have fewer people around. Campus security is around but they'll mostly be escorting students to their rides.

[wow crimes are so exciting... No, Iona reminds herself that this thievery is necessary, not for the thrills!]

The locks aren't anything special but they're tight! Not that I couldn't open them but...

[Iona has a distant look in her eyes, kind of shameful, but also shameless.]

The school would have to purchase new locks if I busted them open.

[Not to mention the alarms. Good lord, no wonder this girl needs help, her finesse is very low.]

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