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

[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. ]

[cutlery]

[ The question and its earnest, careful nature doesn’t surprise him. Her question a moment ago made him guess that she had uncertainty, even if he wouldn’t say it directly. Without even truly looking as he’s able to, he feels certain that she does. It would be a great surprise to find the opposite, since even with all the oddities in these worlds, he’d yet to encounter someone that simply didn’t have one. The Undertaker’s work aside…

But, still. If only for show, he’ll properly take a look.

As you might expect, the change comes in his eyes. The neutral amber color shifts drastically to a bright, literally glowing red as his pupils narrow into thin slits. Without a doubt, they’re not human. For a moment, his gaze is cool and appraising, but it doesn’t last. He closes his eyes and gives her a nod. ]

Congratulations. You do indeed.

[ As he opens his eyes again, they’ve returned to their human appearance, and the chill is all but gone to be replaced by a twinkle of wry playfulness instead. ]

Though, it would be a surprise indeed if you did not! The only creatures I have met without souls were not so lively or adept as you, Jinx.

[kabooming]

[ there is something about the shift in his eyes that has her suddenly focusing on his face much more intensely; abruptly, she's looking down at the street below as if her attention were called inexplicably elsewhere as if she'd heard someone calling her name. there's a tightness in her shoulders before Sebastian answers her question... and her attention drifts back to him--

his eyes are no longer changed in color, and Jinx is slowly easing. ]

So, then... [ by simple reasoning and deduction here, the equation is pretty simple. ] You're saying I could be your Master. Technically speaking. If you carry the extra zero, squint really hard, and wonder what a soul is really about, you know?

[ she is speaking a little too fast, her inflection a bit flighty and almost nervous. ]

You do know? I mean, you wouldn't collect a soul if you didn't know what it was for, that would be stupid.

[cutlery]

[ Sebastian cants his head curiously at her reaction, since it’s slightly outside his expectations. He probably could have warned her, but it’s become such a normal thing at this point that he hadn’t considered it. The way her gaze averts and the tightness in her shoulders speaks to fear, but the rest of her reaction doesn’t match with his understanding of it. ]

You could.

[ That answer is first and simple enough. Any creature with a soul could absolutely strike up a Covenant with him, and Kenos provides the unique opportunity for him to choose that person, rather than it being the opposite. He knows that’s not why she’s asking, since it’s clearly something more personal than that, but still, the thought is now in mind. It’s nothing he’s considering with any seriousness, but he does wonder what it would be like to serve this girl.

(Wherever he is, Silco probably gets an unexplained pang of Bad Vibes)

To her actual question, or at least the one he thinks she’s getting at… That’s a little more complicated. ]

And I do. Or, well, more or less. Here in Kenos, I can hardly say with confidence the same rules apply, considering Shards and the like, but… [ He gives a small shrug ] The soul is a vessel for all you are. Your memories and experiences, your personality, your life itself. It is for only that, really, as it is the piece of you that will exist past your mortal body.

[ It’s a straightforward answer, but probably also not exactly what she’s looking for, if he had to guess. It’s not the first time someone has asked him a question like this, but the answer simply doesn’t seem to satisfy whatever reason they ask for, in his experience. Though at what that reason may be, he couldn’t guess. ]

[kabooming]

[ luckily for Everyone Involved in Kenos, this is not a bargain that's really on the table for either of them. alas... in another universe, perhaps!

but Jinx is contemplating such things as souls and pacts with Jeeves-es and all that, and decided she's had enough of it; even with confirmation she has a soul she could technically barter away, something about this sits ill. whispering. souls?

...she's done with it.

she's done with it, she really is.

so why isn't she making the next jump she's mapped out in her head? ]

Say you don't give your soul up to a guy who can clear rooftops in a three-piece.

[ ... ]

What happens to you soul, when you... die?

[ it isn't like she buys it. she gets the whole 'multi-dimensional' thing, the whole 'worlds collapsing' blah blah mumbo jumbo. she understands even if Jeeves isn't pulling her leg and making all this up, it might not matter. it could be totally different where he's from.

but...

...but... ]

[cutlery]

[ Her comment gets his smile to quirk a bit in delight, but he overall remains at cool even. Talk of death and what comes after is something he enjoys talking about, true to stereotype. It’s also something that humans ask frequently, and why wouldn’t they? It’s truly the unknowable, since save for the Undertaker’s foul experiments, you don’t exactly come back to share the tale. ]

Well, first the Reaper comes for you. Though it is hardly the hooded specter that you may imagine. They are actually dreadfully annoying. [ There’s a stress on that “dreadfully” that’s absolutely a personal beef, and he doesn’t even try and hide it. ] They appear at the moment of death to review your life. It is little more than paperwork to them. Provided things look as they should, they use their scythes to sever the soul’s connection to its body.

[ With… lawn equipment… But. It’s better to just imagine a literal scythe than their stupid lawn equipment, in his opinion. ]

From there, you face your Judgement Day. But I only know of one of its decisions, I am afraid, so I cannot tell you much about any of the other options, or even how many there are. [ Elegantly, he gestures to himself, and the poise of the gesture is very much an intentional contrast to how he continues. ] I only know of Hell, my once home.

[kabooming]

[ ngl she would probably find it real poetic (and hilarious) if she could have her soul lawnmowered into the afterlife or whatever, okay,

anyway,

Jinx isn't a naturally philosophical creature; she doesn't spend a whole lot of time thinking about the ins and outs of souls and religion and what it means when you die except for the fact you're dead and (THEY LEAVE HER) gone and that's it. no big fanfare, no dramatic reviewing of their life, just.... dead.

Mom and Dad... Mylo, Claggor... so many people she'd known in the Undercity, gone. never coming back. the thought of them facing Judgment Day isn't one she's sure she feels especially good about, considering Jeeves is now talking about Hell with that look on his face, cool as cucumber.

...but Jinx finally makes her next move, launching herself lithely from the lantern pole and clearing the alley in mimicry of Mr. Fancypants here, latching on to the side of the building and leisurely beginning to scale it. it's an afterthought; this is how she gets around Zaun, it's second nature. ]

Like... the literal 'hell' Hell or, [ she loosens one hand to gesture with the other, ] 'being trapped being a butler for an annoying kid 'til he croaks or you get fired' kind of Hell?

[ she's almost made it to the landing, where there's that last Leap to contend with. hm. ]

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[ god she sure would JINX NO ]

[ As she starts to move again, Sebastian's cool, almost distant expression refocuses as he watches. He clearly doesn’t mind speaking about death and what comes after, but the present interests him more. He even makes a light noise of approval, though he does see the same problem. That is a bit of a gap normally, isn’t it? ]

…Well. [ It’s how he starts with a heavy sigh, since the latter point has surely honed in on his personal hell (in a sense) ] The former. Very much the damned souls and fire and brimstone type, where I had many legions of lesser demons under my command. Not to give it too much worth, however. Despite all of that nonsense, it is an incredible bore, I assure you.

[ Once she’s made it to the landing, though… He extends a hand. It’s a clear signal that he won’t let her fall, though whether she trusts that or not? That’s up to her. ]

[kabooming]

[ and here she is, gracefully pulling her weight up to the last and final hurdle - one that should for all intents and purposes be impossible to clear.

...yeah. she's not superhuman, just crazy agile. she's looking at the distance,

looking up at him,

and then making a face. ]

Hey, how'd you do that?

[ were they talking about something? no they weren't, it is Sulking Hours now!! ]

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[ …Sure! Luckily, the shift in conversation is something Sebastian takes in stride easily. In truth, he’s not sure how to take it, but it doesn’t matter. He’s learned that the best way to interact with people is to often let them lead, and he’s happy to follow. It just happens more rapidly when he’s spending time with this young lady, clearly. ]

Ah, that one I may have a little bit of an extra advantage with… I hope you shall not think it cheating!

[ But he laughs warmly all the same as he shrugs ]

My legs are very strong. Much stronger than a human’s, I am afraid, so I am not always good at estimating what is possible… I have never been human, after all!

[kabooming]

[ the question of what Jeeves is might be sitting on the tip of her tongue, but there's more pressing matters to deal with. it isn't like she's unused to species other than humans coexisting; Runeterra is filled with all sorts of weirdos. some are charming, some are decidedly

not,

but definitely not from the whole brimstone-and-fire hell thing, last she checked anyway. whatever, she's losing focus. Jinx heaves a pointedly LOUD and DISAPPOINTED sigh, before she lets her weight hang from one hand, gesturing at him with the other. ]

Definitely cheating. So now you gotta pay the penalty - let's go, pony up!

[ she is preparing to make a leap in full expectation that he will help her clear the remaining distance, no problem!!! obviously, ]

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[ Sebastian makes a disappointed noise of his own, but it’s playfully so in the face of her verdict that he is, in fact, a cheater. He gives a helpless shrug as if to say either “fair enough” (probably, anyways), but nods. ]

Well, not on purpose, I assure you…

[ Ah, but she’s making the leap after all? He’s surprised, but a little bit delighted, since this is absolutely an occasion for him to show off, probably. He extends his hand towards her elegantly in a gesture that seems more like he’s asking for a dance with his overall appearance, but there’s an easy confidence in his smile. He won’t let her fall. ]

[kabooming]

[ 'not on purpose,' yeah sure buddy, whatever you say. it goes in one ear and out the other but doesn't stop Jinx from taking the next valiant leap - an impressive one, but not enough to get her safely to her destination - in seeming perfect trust he will indeed catch her.

her hand hooks with his oh-so-delicately outstretched fingers; is she testing him? is she just whack-o and doesn't care if he had just said sike and let her fall? did she have a plan B? we may never know,

but she will, however, dangle with her feet propped up against the gothic architecture of the building as if she hasn't a care in the world, waiting for him to pull her up. ]

So. What are you, anyway?

[ 'not human,' yeah. from hell, cool. in service to masters in exchange for souls complete with creepy glow-y eyes and stuff.

painting a real interesting picture, she's gotta say. ]

au where he drops her and has to tell silco "so about jinx actually,"

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[ He’s at least either the world’s best or worst demon, depending on the criteria you use to judge… When Jinx leaps out, Sebastian plants his feet firmly as he reaches forward distinctly less delicately to catch her wrist for a firmer grip. Like the acrobatic leaps, there’s an easy hint in that grip that he’s not exactly what he outwardly presents as since it’s strong, but not enough to be painful. To say nothing of the fact that he seems to have no problem bearing her weight—His feet only shift slightly forward as her weight pulls him a bit.

So, unsurprisingly, he hoists her up with ease, and once her feet are firmly planted on the rooftop, he gives an easy smile with his answer. ]

Oh, I am a demon.

[ It’s as casual as if she had asked what his sign was… But at least here in Kenos, it’s been rare to find anyone that has too negative of a reaction to it. ]