TDM + GAME OPENING 🎉

[beleos]

Who: Shard-Bearers, new and old
What: Seeds take root
Where: The Tree of Life, Highstorm, Springstar
When: October 14th and onwards
Warnings: Potential for (mild) body horror, death, dismemberment

I. BEARING FRUIT (new characters only)

It starts out as a pleasant dream. You’re in your favorite place, with your favorite people. It’s a moment of idyllic comfort.

And then, it goes wrong.

The sky turns dark above, and as you look up, you see the black expanse of space spotted with faraway pinprick lights of stars. Yet, they’re not stars. You’re certain. They’re watching you. A billion eyes all looking down, and they spill forth as if sky itself was a dam holding back those dark waters. You reach back to the people you’re with, but they’re frozen in place. Their eyes are black, reflecting only the expanse of dark eyes.

So you run, even though you know you won’t escape it. You glance back and see it not overtaking, but consuming. The landscape around you is being devoured, and you can see it cracking apart. The world itself is breaking, and it cracks under your feet. You fall, and the billion eyes chase after you until the darkness swallows you whole. There’s agony as if you’re being ripped apart, and then—

You cannot see. You cannot feel. You simply are. Yet even so, impossibly, a woman’s voice speaks gently.

I’m sorry it couldn’t be saved. But, come, it’s time to wake.

You wake with a start, cradled by soft, velvety plants, and sticky with a sap that smells faintly of honey and iron. You can see the veins of the leaves that hold you, lit warmly and gently by what looks like a crystal embedded above you. Yet, it’s odd, because that crystal calls to you. When you reach out to touch it, it’s warm. Familiar. Important. You don’t know why, but you know you must hold onto this, because now it feels wrong for it to be suspended in these leaves. So, you pull it out.

The light starts to fade, but only in time to see as the leaves cradling you immediately start to soften and crumble, and with it comes a torrent of dirt. Soft, loamy soil starts to fill the space around you in the dark as you’re buried. Or, rather, you already were. You reach out through the dirt desperately, and your hands finds a root, so you pull while you clutch that precious crystal so close that it almost feels like it sinks into you (in your panic, you don’t notice that it does). You reach out again, and this time, your hand hits open air and plenty of sturdy roots around to grab.

From a seed you’re born, and like a sprout, you make your way out of the ground.

And once you’ve clawed your way out of the soft earth and the roots, nearby, you see the soil shift. Another hand comes up to grasp desperately for something, anything, just as you had been.

II. MORAL HAZARD

There are new Shard-Bearers at the Tree of Life, and Yima has asked that the earlier arrivals go to greet them and help them. These aren’t people from Horos, after all, so they’ll have many, many questions. As Yima explains, the roots of the tree rise up to create caverns underneath, and it’s there you’ll find the new Shard-Bearers. And indeed, with careful steps to not slip on the mossy roots, down you go. Perhaps Communion will help you find the new Shard-Bearers, but it might be a confusing process for them.

The roots all start to look the same, to the point that you’re sure that you’ve already been through this passage. You turn around, and most of the people you had come here with are gone, if not all of them. It’s confusing and unsettling, and strangest of all.. You’re starting to feel ill, even if that wasn’t something normally possible for you. But continuing forward, you do eventually find an unfamiliar face of a new Shard-Bearer. They look no better than you feel.

Before introductions, however, roots around you shift suddenly until you’re enclosed in a room together. From the roots, a face forms in the wall. It speaks in a creaking, uneven tone, as if it weren’t used to speaking at all.

Give to take. A sacrifice. To live.

---

LET'S PLAY A GAME...

As the Dryad will explain, characters are now trapped in a room and have been poisoned by the spores that the lichens underfoot release. An antidote lays beyond the roots the dryad has curled around you, but to access it, you must make a sacrifice.

Characters can pick one of the following options, but the decision must be made unanimously. If one character takes a drastic action (such as murdering another), it’s counted as a failure for the group.

• Each of you must offer up a personal/treasured memory. The memory will be shared in Communion with all characters assembled, and then will be destroyed. No character will retain the memory or memory of its Communion.
• Each of you must offer up something physical. A finger, a toe, an ear, it’s your choice. The dryad will offer a knife if this is chosen that will sever the body part of choice cleanly and immediately stop any bleeding.
• Offer up another. Kill one person in the room.
• Refusing is also a valid option. Characters will get more ill as they debate until they start to find it difficult to breathe, and they’ll die quickly after.

The following is OOC knowledge that will not be known IC: The consequences of this game are about intent, and thus are not real. When characters are freed from the tree’s thrall, they’ll have their memories/body parts/life intact.

This can be done in groups of 2 to 4 players, and Loremasters recommend three if you can swing it! It’s more fun when you get in philosophical debates, right? Regardless, when your group comes to a decision, please record it here. These don’t have to be fully threaded out to be recorded, so the conclusion can be discussed OOC if you prefer. Actions can be submitted until October 21st, after which groups will be informed of what comes of their choice…

When a group receives the antidote, they'll be released from the tree's thrall... But will have a hard time waking up. It feels like something has grabbed onto their spine.

III. DREAMING OF HOME

You may wake with a start from your deliberations (or arguments) with a jolt of pain from the base of your spine as something is pulled away rapidly. A dark-haired man who looks to be in his thirties or so holds you carefully, but as soon as you start to regain your senses, he sets you back and holds up his hands.

Woah— Woah there, it’s fine! The tree was, uh, trying to take you back is all. You’re fine now.

As long as you’re not going to attack him, he offers a friendly smile and a hand to shake.

Name’s Cyrus. Sorry about the rude awakening. Let’s get your friend here unhooked too.

And indeed, glancing over, you can see the person you met in that room laying nearby, and it looks like a vine has snaked underneath them to exactly where something had just been pulled from you… Best not to think about it, maybe. Or if you've been unlucky enough to be one of the last people rescued, you might find vines and roots starting to grow into your skin. It's fine!

---

CYRUS, THE TRIBUNE

Cyrus is the NPC heading up the Meridian Faction, and is available to thread with under this header. Cyrus has come to the Tree of Life to help rescue the Shard-Bearer’s from the Tree, so he’s not going to be inclined to explain too much right away, since he’s on a mission, but he’ll stick around once everyone is successfully freed from Prompt 2 to speak with anyone that wants to. The following is just an OOC summary of information in case you do not need to thread with Cyrus:

Cyrus will gladly introduce himself to everyone, and will further explain his position in Meridian and Springstar (see the NPC Page) and the goals of Meridian itself (see the Faction Page, save for the italicized section). But most importantly, he’ll explain that he knows it sounds like something overly optimistic. It’s fair to be skeptical. He’ll produce a small glass bead from a bag he’s carrying. It looks like the necklace he wears, though not lit up. He’ll explain that the force of Meridian is a gift and can be a tether to your home, if you let it. As his fingertips light up, the energy is infused into the bead, which he’ll hand to you.

Taking the bead into your hands, you’ll take a bird’s eye view of your home world as if your consciousness is split, since you’ll still perceive standing in front of Cyrus at the tree. Rather than a vision, the view of your world is absolutely real, you’re certain. It’s a glimpse at the world that you thought destroyed, and if you focus on a particular place or a particular person, you’ll find the view shifting rapidly to it. No one you watch is aware of your presence, but simply continues about their daily life, whatever that is. But after about a minute, the view will fade as the light in the bead also fades.

That’s an iliachtida, a sunbeam, and when infused with Meridian’s light, allows someone Harmonized to it to check in on their world, he explains. It also acts as an anchor that tethers their soul to their world in the Timestream. With it, their world can’t entirely disappear, so eventually, they can go home. It’s a gift he’ll allow anyone that wants it to keep it, but indeed, they’ll be unable to use it again without first Harmonizing to Meridian.

To help manage threadload for the Loremasters playing Cyrus, we ask that you only tag him with the character you are most likely to app. Similarly, new tag-ins will not be accepted after Monday, October 17th.

III. SPRINGSTAR, αιώνιος ήλιος

After your ordeals at the Tree of Life, perhaps you’re drawn to Springstar, the city of eternal sun and the seat of Meridian.

It’s currently (and fittingly) Spring in Springstar, and the bustling city is coming back to life after finishing up winter. It’s not as if the winters are especially harsh here, but you’ll quickly get the sense that the people of Springstar are vivacious and happy to celebrate. You’ll find the Entertainment District to be the liveliest, whether it’s at a rowdy bar or a brothel, but no matter what, you’re welcome with open arms and without question.

Of course, if you’d just like to use the chance to explore the city alongside your fellow Shard-Bearers, that’s fine too. It’s easy to get lost in the crowds of Springstar and see all the city has to offer.

IV. HIGHSTORM, луны-близнецы

Or maybe Highstorm, the city of twin moons and the seat of Zenith is more to your liking. It’s certainly the quieter of the two cities and is a relaxing, meditative place if that’s what you prefer. The chill in the air is constant, since it’s Autumn in Highstorm and the eternal night doesn’t help keep things warm, exactly. Snow isn’t out of the question at this time of the year, but it’s beautiful in the moonlight.

Because of the cooler weather than Highstorm is prone to, you’ll find many of its delights inside rather than outside. Libraries and museums are popular in the more introspective city, though it’s easy enough to find something that might please you. For example, the indoor hot baths are popular at this time of the year too. You’ll find the people are kind, if cool-tempered, though if you mention the fact that you’re a Shard-Bearer or allied with Zenith, they’re more likely to warm up.

Though much like Springstar, it may just be more interesting to explore the city with a fellow Shard-Bearer. And as a resident may warn you, it’s best to stay in the city. Wandering out into the marshes and forests isn’t advised. Of course, if you do, just contact a Loremaster to find out why. ♥

NOTES

Welcome to Kenos! As a reminder, all players are required to fill out an application, which are now open. This does include characters/players from Aion Teleos, so please don’t forget to fill one out! Any character/player that does not submit an application will be swept from the communities and the Discord after applications close.

Activity Check is optional this month, but is highly recommend so Christy can check her fancy program so that you can earn Activity Reward Tokens! Activity will be able to be submitted shortly after applications close. You can find more about how we do AC here.

This log is Game Canon. Any characters who are not apped to the game will disappear. If Cyrus or Yima are asked, they’ll explain that this happens sometimes, since not every soul has a strong tether to Kenos and sometimes return to the Timestream. They’re fine and may even return to Kenos one day, but for now weren’t able to make the full journey.

As a reminder, your character has a Shard somewhere on their body that encompasses their soul, so keep note of where you're sticking it on their person for reference! Additionally, they have a tattoo of their Aspect somewhere on their body. Please be mindful this Aspect will be assigned to you upon approval and whatever you choose for the TDM may be temporary (for new characters)!

For the Highstorm and Springstar prompts, both cities will be fully open and accessible to all characters once they are saved from their rather harrowing ordeal at the Tree of Life. For prompt ideas and any general information about the cities and what you can find there, please see the Navigation page and check out the locations!

FOR NEW PLAYERS:

New players are welcome to join our Discord Server if you haven't already!

When they emerge from their cocoon/the ground, characters may be wearing their normal clothes, or they might be nude. Up to you!

At some point in the days after leaving the Tree of Life, new Shard-Bearers will have a dream, even if they're usually not capable of sleeping. All new players should read this post, since this details how they'll learn about both factions and their goals and should help them make a decision in which Faction they'd be drawn to.

New characters will not have access to any canon abilities on the TDM.

Your character will be offered temporary housing either at the Heliopolis district or Yima's manor for the first few weeks after their arrival. They will also be given a stipend for basic supplies like clothing and personal effects, and food is served in the cantina (Heliopolis) and at regular meal times in the Dining Room (Yima's manor). Once they Harmonize, they will get personal permanent chambers and a fancy retainer in their Faction's city. Wow! 🌈

FOR OLD PLAYERS:

Characters may be Harmonized to their Faction (if that makes sense for the character, of course!) by the time of this log. This is more for IC reference, and just wait until application acceptance to do the OOC paperwork!

General reminder that your character won't have access to their powers until they have Harmonized.

CODING

Comments

[kabooming]

[ did he just say vampires,

one brow arches as she takes this in, and one can practically see the way the gears are turning in her head. yeah, this city is full of pretentious nerds (like Sebastian) and they definitely like collecting Oddities, that's for sure. so this is basically a guaranteed good haul, especially when she considers the possibility of what might be left for discovery in an entirely different world from her own.

suddenly, she's real interested. this plan sounds like a great plan!! (she's an easy sell,) ]

Y'know... you had me going for a sec there, Jeevesy. You really did! But I knew I liked you for a reason.

[ she had been like .5 secs away from being like



but it's been saved it's fine, now she's back to sunnily squeezing his arm as they cheerfully amble along and everything is coming up roses, ]

Lead the way, sir!

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian at least knows how to play to an audience! Sometimes, he’s the gentle and soft-spoken academic who will debate the finer points of theology, but others… Well, he’s still rather soft-spoken, but some casual breaking and entering out of what essentially amounts to boredom and nosiness? Absolutely fine. ]

What can I say? I may not look the part, but I have a bit of a mischievous streak, I will admit…

[ He will indeed lead the way as they head towards a residential district, which is conveniently not all that far! But Sebastian will set a casual pace, though he is taking a bit more of a look at the surroundings as they go. Mostly just the high fences and eaves of the houses, though, since they present a mild obstacle. ]

Ah, though I may need to carry you briefly, if you are not opposed. It will be the quickest way past the front, I imagine.

[kabooming]

[ let the B&E monster out, Sebs... let it out,

'mischievous' streak he says, and she gives him a look like Really, Now; she's growing curiouser and curiouser - and whether that's a good thing or not for the present company? who the hell knows!!! probably not, but you only live once (immortal company notwithstanding).

but the offer of an assist has Jinx's expression darkening a shade; she tilts her head toward him as if wondering if she'd misheard something. ]

Big fat opposed here, actually!

[ and loosening her grip on his arm, she chooses to instead walk backward while facing him, just a pace or two ahead of him (despite the fact she has no idea where they're ultimately going), ]

Got it handled without you getting all touchy, thanks! [ she was literally just. hanging off of his arm, ] Monkey see, monkey do, no problem.

[ is he the monkey? is she?? apparently, she isn't worried about being able to get inside wherever they're going, one way or another. ]

[cutlery]

[ It’s not something he seems to be bothered by in the slightest, since her disapproval is simply met with an understanding nod. ]

Of course. Do pardon the assumption.

[ Partially, he’s curious to see if she indeed would have it “handled”, so to speak, but it’s just as much fine with him either way. It’s not as she’s Ciel, who had little choice in the matter when Sebastian chose to carry him. Though that was also partially his little master’s bratty behavior to not want to walk at times… He’ll ignore that part. Instead, he’ll laugh lightly as he bullies Ciel, as you do, ]

I am rather used to simply carrying people because of my old master, I suppose. I am a tad more athletic than most, if you will pardon me saying so, so I would simply carry him. He could handle no feats of the sort.

[kabooming]

Yeah, yeah -- you worked for some stiffs, didn't you? I remember you saying that.

[ okay, alright, ALRIGHT, taking that into consideration, it makes it a little more understandable to see where he was coming from and not assume he was jumping to insinuating she was too weak to do it herself. she's not defensive you're defensive?? stop, ]

But you're not pulling my leg, are you? More athletic than most?

[ she abruptly stops where they are in the middle of the sidewalk in front of him. ]

You look like [ and here she puts on Caitlyn's posh Piltie accent ] 'a spot of athleticism is pouring tea and reading about clothes ironing for fun,' come on!

[cutlery]

[ “Some stiffs” is absolutely correct, even if it was really only the one. Ciel’s terrible personality surely had to count multiple times over, right? He has a bit of a story in mind to tell Jinx about him, but it’s quickly set to the side as she focuses on something else.

Sebastian stops as well, but his smile becomes playfully sunny as he nods. ]

Why, those things are indeed the sort I may indulge in [ he’ll admit it at least… ], but they are hardly athletic at all. Protecting my master was also included in my duties, so I naturally must be in the best shape possible to do so. He had many people that wished to kill him, after all.

[ The cheer also does not fade in the slightest as he casually explains the threat of assassination… Just another day ending in “y”, you know how it is. ]

[kabooming]

[ wow.......... he really just said that no cap, huh,

yeah. that dangerous tingle of Curiosity is getting harder to ignore, and her weight shifts from her heels to the balls of her feet as she leans in, looking at him - studying him as if she can See Something (she can see nothing), ]

Hmm... didn't get bodyguard vibes from you. I think I'm gonna need a demonstration.

[cutlery]

To be fair, you are not supposed to, strictly speaking. The work the young master undertook was such that it was better that another party not realize they are in the company of a skilled professional in such matters.

[ This is all true, but it's also just as much Sebastian's aesthetic preferences, so. A grain of salt taken there would be fair. He looks amused by her doubt, though. ]

But if breaking and entering did not suffice, what sort of demonstration did you have in mind?

[kabooming]

Alright, mister suuuuuper athletic bodyguard man, [ said like, """ALLEGEDLY,""" including air quotes, ] breaking and entering is child's play. We gotta think bigger picture.

[ so she steps in toward him, reaching up and taking his chin to turn his head toward a pair of Aristocratic, Bored Looking NPC's who are leaving a shop selling some kind of delicate fabrics, and whispers. ]

See the classic oldie with the eyepiece? [ it's an antique monocle - currently not in use and dangling from the breast pocket of the man's suit where it is clipped for safekeeping. ] Nab it, but no cheating - take it without talking to him or any funny business! If you can.

[cutlery]

Oh—

[ He does at least turn his head obediently with her direction, even leaning down slightly so it isn't quite so much of a reach. It may not be a full foot, but he still has a bit of height on her. He looks and gives a little nod (so much as he's able...) as he does notice the man. Normally thievery was not really his thing, but he does love a challenge. ]

I see. [ He's also not sure how this counts for athleticism or bodyguard ability, but he'll also go with it? ] To be certain of our terms, what sorts of things do you mean by "funny business"?

[ he may or may not be fairly sure that half of his skillset counts, so, ]

[kabooming]

[ there's a method to her madness! ...usually. sometimes. if you squint and look at her sidelong specifically between the hours of 9 and 11PM on a Wednesday. ]

Look, Jeevesy, [ she pats his arm, squishing his cheeks so his lips become fish-lips, ] I know you're a stand-up guy who wouldn't go breaking the rules, right? I can trust you, so I'll lay it out simple:

You nab it without anyone knowing you're there or what hit 'em, 'kay? Kay! Have fun! I believe in you!

[ another enthusiastic pat!!!! ]

[cutlery]

[ just missed it dang ]

[ Sebastian hums out a thoughtful noise as he considers it. So, Ciel’s rules. Or that’s at least how he takes it. It makes him close his eyes and breathe out a sigh that’s theatrically disappointed, even if it’s not as dramatic, since, y’know. Squished face and all. ]

Dear me… I do so often find myself in the company of those with unreasonable requests…

[ But considering the Drama in his tone, he’s clearly playing it up, too. Once Jinx lets him go, Sebastian does give a moment to appraise the man in the distance. For but a moment, his expression is cool and calculating, and it flickers quickly around the scene to take things in. No word makes it more difficult, because words were his best weapon. He’s sure if he were allowed to talk, it would be simple, but it’s also probably something he appreciates about the challenge as a result.

Sebastian starts to walk closer, and he reaches into the inner pocket of his jacket, since luckily, his habits as a butler have been ones he’s kept for their utility in a wide variety of applications. Inside his jacket is just a small notebook and pencil for notetaking, since it was a necessary habit to always be able to make notes for others. As he approaches, his attention turns to his little notebook, and he writes away in it, focused and attentive as only the kind of nerd that would carry such a thing in the first place would be. He knows the impression it gives off. It’s to his advantage here.

As he writes away at a note (a real one, as a matter of fact, but that part is a secret), it’s an easy, classic trick, but one pulled off with as much finesse and elegance as if it were a practiced dance. He bumps into the man’s shoulder somewhat sharply, but no more than would be expected of someone not paying attention. Sebastian catches himself as he’s (falsely) surprised by the motion as well, and the hand holding the booklet comes up to the man’s shoulder as his eyes are locked in his in surprise.

The cover is small but creates the tiniest of visual barriers as Sebastian’s other hand reaches to the breast pocket. Smoothly, it’s unhooked, and as the man starts to exclaim his displeasure, Sebastian only makes a gently embarrassed noise of surprise as he pulls back. The monocle is flipped deftly to the palm of the hand holding the pencil, and that easily disguises the slight awkwardness of the grip to hold onto both. It’s that very hand that comes up to Sebastian’s chest as he dips into a deep, servile bow of apology. Again, perfectly fitting to his appearance and to the very reason he would have bumped into someone at all.

The man huffs and walks away, and Sebastian straightens as he watches him go. There’s just a few moments where he watches to see if he noticed, but as it’s clearly not the case, he turns to head back to Jinx. As he walks back, he tucks the notebook and pencil back into the pocket of his jacket, and once he’s close enough, holds out the monocle for her to take. ]

Does that suffice?

[kabooming]

[ Jinx watches this entire procession with interest from her spot a fair distance away to avoid drawing unnecessary attention and spoiling Sebastian's ruse... whatever it is. her eyes narrow, brow wrinkling suspiciously as she squints at his approach to The Mark; this isn't exactly the kind of heist she was imagining in her head... clearly they have different ideas about what this entails, (no shit, he isn't a mindreader??)

admittedly, the whole thing is pretty damn smooth. Jinx is no stranger to pickpocketing and it's practically an artform in Zaun - and for a guy who works as a butler to some high society Piltie shit... it really is unexpected. 'athleticism' this may not be, but hey, it's something? sure does go to further the whole mysterious air of intrigue Sebastian's got going. she's Curious with a big C, yeah. yeah.

so when he dangles that monocle, his trophy, Jinx reaches out to pluck it right out of his hand enthusiastically before placing it to her left eye, patting his upper arm encouragingly. ]

Stand up job, Jeeves! I knew you had it in ya! Didn't doubt you for a second.

[ ignore the fact she sent him out on this task because she doubted him, that's beside the point. ]

You know, your showing was so good that I've got something even better for you.

[ she leans in as she says this, and there is a gleam in her eyes that suggests

this is mischievous, incredibly illegal, and fun. ]

[cutlery]

[ There's definitely a quality to his smile that edges towards smug as he approaches and Jinx takes the monocle, but at least it's short-lived. As soon as he's given praise, the smugness softens into a smile that's more earnestly pleased, funnily enough. He may be smug for the "and you doubted me" portion that he's sure her challenge came from, but he's also incredibly simple and loves to be praised. Idiot. ]

Why, thank you very much. A bit of sleight of hand is always a useful skill to have.

[ It would have been a bit more fun if he were allowed to talk, but really, it just amounts to being more showy, so it's for the best... He's gifted with a silver tongue to the point that it could seem like some kind of supernatural part of his skillset, but no. He's just an exceptionally good conversationalist.

Of course, once she has further plans, Sebastian's eyebrows raise in surprise, but also certainly interest. ]

Oh, my, do you? Why, by that look in your eyes, I do wonder if I should feel a glimmer of apprehension...

[ But by his teasing tone? Ha ha, nope, he does not. ]

What comes to mind?

[kabooming]

[ they need an adult smh,

but she seems pleased to see that Sebastian looks intrigued by the prospect of further trouble; she had a feeling he would be. boring stiff might fit his (former) master's gig, but Jeeves is now a free agent!! a free agent

of chaos.

so, she adjusts her monocle with an air of aristocratic charm, ]

No need to jump the gun, Jeevesy! All good things come with time. [ pat-patting his arm again, before she slips the monocle off her face and into his pocket. ] First thing's first: we've got to do a little appraising!

[ apparently her Fun Time Adventure needs to come after B&E Adventures?? maybe, ]

[cutlery]

[ He’s absolutely not keeping up with her train(s?) of thought here, and he’s more than a little baffled by that, but. As with many things, there just comes a point where you shrug and accept it, more or less. It’s at least what he’s decided to do, since he’s absolutely curious just where this would lead. Even if the answer was “getting in trouble”, wasn’t that intriguing too? Springstar and Highstorm both seem so surprisingly peaceful that he’s curious what causing a little trouble might prompt.

…So, yeah, they need an adult, ]

Ah, very well! I suppose there is that matter to resolve first.

[ He places a hand on the pocket she had just put the monocle in, but with his other hand, gestures ahead in a sweeping gesture before leading the way again. It’s at least not far, and as Sebastian looks around for the landmarks that had been mentioned, he nods before gesturing to a home. It’s elaborate, with high, wrought-iron gates, but that also fits the character of Highstorm in general. Here, it doesn’t stand out at all. ]

Here we are.

[ Sebastian makes a thoughtful noise as he looks at the gates and walls to appraise them. They’re tall indeed, a bit much to even parkour up (unless you’re a cheater like him), but looking down the street, he does see a small alley besides an adjacent house. Looking at that house’s roof back to the target, he gives a small nod. ]

From one roof to the other, perhaps?

[kabooming]

[ trying to keep up with her train of thought is the recipe for a migraine - definitely a game Sebby's going to want to give up before he really begins... wise man. she seems happy to let him go about leading the way again, humming cheerily as she follows in his shadows, inquisitively taking in the sights and sounds of the street as they go.

when they finally reach their destination, she gives an appreciative whistle; hey, this place is big? fancy? gothic. got a whole vibe; yeah. ]

Could go roof... mmm... let's see...

[ she sizes up the gateway as if running the mental logistics; she might be able to monkey-climb them, but breaking in the front door isn't half as fun as watching Sebastian roof-hop. so that settles it.

she grabs his hand, begins dragging him toward the alleyway, and gives him a playful little shove once they've reached their destination. this will be her first taste of Seb Gymnastics, and she's like. kind of stupidly eager for this?? it's really ridiculous to watch someone so well-put together do acrobatics somehow, okay, it's tickling her funny bone. ]

Hey, Jeeves! What'd you do before you met the stiff?

[cutlery]

[ With little more than an “oh” of surprise, Sebastian is dragged along and then shoved into the alley. Jinx has definitely met the criteria of pulling out the pushover side of his personality, though it’s not exactly hard. It just amounts to having a more assertive personality than him… And usually being a woman. He’s easily bullied, when it comes down to it.

He takes a moment to appraise the layout of the alley, but with a nod, he’s quickly sure of his path up. Jinx may not be the first person to see this kind of feat (Ciel and Barnaby had both seen it when they made their way up to attack [redacted]), but this is definitely far showier. He takes a familiar running start for parkour to jump onto the lid of a dumpster, then springing off for a higher jump to grab the pole holding out a lantern. He swings the weight of his body forward, then back to use the momentum to help compliment his strength as he pulls himself up enough to plant his feet on top of it. He makes it looks easy and even graceful, but luckily it’s definitely much stupider when this is a grown-ass man in a suit just vaulting himself up. ]

Oh, before?

[ He looks back down at her with a curious expression, but breathes out a little laugh as he continues. Sebastian leaps from the pole across the alley, but this part of the climb is much simpler, since with the gothic architectural starting well out of reach of any normal person, they’re decent hand and footholds, so he’s able to scale them easily. ]

Before the young master, I served a lady of the court of the Schönbrunn Palace. She wished for- Ah, one moment. [ He says oh so politely as he braces himself on the footholds to leap up to pull himself up onto a small landing, though there’s not much more to go. It’s just quite the leap up to grab the roof’s edge, just beyond the limits of human ability… Probably, at least. He takes the steps back, then quickly runs to leap back across the alleyway and with just a bit of his natural ability. It’s plenty for him to grab the roof’s edge and pull himself up and briefly out of view, though he peeks back over the side with a smile. ]

Excuse me. She wished for higher influence in the court, and so I ensured her rivals would no longer present an issue.

[ translation: murdered them ]

[kabooming]

[ yeah. yeah, there's something Special about watching Sebastian go about these acrobatics dressed as he is, especially with the air of dignity there is to him. it's like, at least 500% funnier?? and more ridiculous. but definitely funnier.

Jinx is thus content to simply stand there and watch this escapade to its completion, half-listening to the story he's telling as he goes - at least, until he mentions 'wishes.' there's a meager tilt of her head, something glittering in her eyes as she observes the last bit of his monkey-climb to the rooftop...

...and it seems she catches the drift of what he's insinuating, because she begins a slow clap as she approaches the dumpster. ]

You really give them the full service, don't you?

[ though it is interesting, his wording, and she thinks it has to be deliberate. still, she doesn't make further comment on it for now, instead beginning to dexterously vault herself up atop the dumpster and quickly use her momentum to jump for the lantern pole.

but she decides to hook her legs around it, hanging upside down for a moment rather than make any further progress, peering at him from her perch as if this was a Normal thing to be doing, arms crossed leisurely over her chest and long hair dangling loosely to nearly scrape the ground below. you know. it's fine, having a chat while scaling buildings while Sebastian is on a rooftop and she's following after him, dangling, ]

So, what - you always do the butler thing? Why?

[cutlery]

[ The slow clap feels somewhat sarcastic, but you know, he’ll still take it. His smile stays perfectly in place as he nods. ]

Indeed. I pride myself on offering impeccable service.

[ It’s his (weird) principles, since even being what he is, he feels that it’s important considering the price he asks. Now, granted, this doesn’t mean he won’t try and dance around the terms of his contracts when it’s convenient to him. He’ll give impeccable service up to the letter, but no more, if it troubles him.

Sebastian watches as she starts to make the climb herself, since he’s also interested in her skill. He makes a light, impressed noise as she also vaults to the lantern pole, since she’s indeed agile, but. Then she stops. He cants his head curiously as he frowns, and his eyes do drift to her long hair. It’s dangerously close (in his opinion) to a dingy puddle below… This is absolutely when he decides to style her hair in the future, yes. ]

Oh, not always, no. It was only this past time that I was a butler. I had never needed to serve in that capacity before… Usually it was perfectly acceptable for me to just act as a friend or an advisor, but the young master was indeed but a young boy. So that usual ploy would not work.

[kabooming]

[ 'impeccable service' he says, and Jinx arches a brow - not necessarily in doubt, but curiosity. so he wasn't just a butler, but still served 'masters?'

she swings her weight deftly upright, coming to sit atop the lantern's pole instead of hanging from it - her eyes fixed on him above her. ]

So... you're like a mercenary. A hand for hire? Do work for money?

[ highest bidder and all that? she didn't really peg him for the type, but she can see it. the 'butler' thing may be a ruse, but... something about it seems to fit him in an odd way. is it just an act?

...hm.

yeah, she's super interested, now. ]

What's your price?

[cutlery]

A mercenary is not a bad way to put it. Indeed, if someone is willing to pay my price, I will do whatever they wish.

[ He gives a casual shrug, since just from the nature of their first conversation in that sea of stars, it doesn’t feel like anything that’ll be particularly off-putting to her to admit. She’s clearly already reading between the lines to get to the point of asking that question, though he doesn’t think she’d get to the price itself. He’d been cagey about it before he had arrived to Horos properly, but now?

Sebastian’s smile turns playful as he looks down at her. ]

Would you believe me if I were to say the price was my employer’s immortal soul?

[kabooming]

[ he gives her that playful sort of smile, and Jinx's already piqued curiosity begins growing deeper - especially when he says 'souls' are on the line. most people might scoff at the very idea, and it isn't like she's a particularly religious sort of person, but...

Jinx lifts herself to stand on the lantern pole, having no difficulty balancing her weight, and angles her head at him. ]

But... what if you don't have a soul?

[cutlery]

Well, then that would make it a rather difficult deal to strike.

[ Sebastian's answer comes easily and even with a little, amused laugh, but he's also just secondarily impressed at her balance. It's not bad at all! He does wonder if perhaps she isn't human either, but it doesn't feel like the right question now. There is a second way to get a fair idea of that answer, though, and it’s luckily quite relevant. ]

Few creatures do not have souls, however. Where I am from, it is necessary for anything close to a personality.

[ He gives a languid shrug before he draws back out of sight, though it’s only for a moment. Since he’d been looking directly down at her, he thinks he’d prefer an angle instead if she’s chosen the lantern pole as her perch, so he leaps easily from one rooftop to the other. So now looking down her way more directly, he gestures generally down towards her. ]

I am also able to see them, that aside. It makes the confirmation very simple.

[kabooming]

[ his agility is absolutely abnormal, and Jinx watches his movement with a tilt of her head in the other direction, thoughtful; when Sebastian reappears in his new (and more advantageous) position, Jinx seems to consider her next move, but...

something stops her. she looks tentative, almost uncertain, and her feet remain planted on the pole. ]

Do I have a soul?

[ it is a surprisingly vulnerable question, but she looks at him earnestly as if in expectation that he'll answer honestly. ]