logs | (catchall / open)

[ Sneaking around is not exactly Jinx's style. She prefers to make her presence known in the loudest and most explosive manner available. But some jobs necessitate a more delicate approach, so while stealth is not her most refined skill, she is capable. To a point, anyway.

She hurries around the crater to position herself directly behind the little knights' line of sight. Once there, she starts her descent into the crater. Halfway through her climb down, Jinx hears her new partner-in-crime open with "hello" and sighs. Hopefully he has something more enticing up his sleeve or she'll be the one caught in the lion's den. ]

You are not wrong, but I believe a healer should have some kind of compassion behind their acts.

[ whether leaks thinks he has any of it, he's not willing to admit it or not. not to dimitri. does a mere acknowledgment of that fact confirm having any sort of capability to sympathize or empathize in the first place? perhaps his actions may contradict his words, but... ]

I see. Yet you walk by these woods regardless of your discomfort. Do you make your home here?

[ perhaps if he stays to dimitri's side, where the forest is, he can help block the sight of them and assist the man to his destination. it is tempting to see him suffer, but at the same time... why? ]

[ poss… ibly…? forget the restricted lungs and occasional petal; zoning out from the lunacy of the netherworld altogether sounds pretty good. ]

Depends on the labor.

[ clear directions work wonders on keith. he operates much better when he has a goal to shoot for, so that’s all it takes for his pouting to subside, expression clearing into something more interested, more determined. ]

Do you mean running errands to gather supplies for the potions themselves or does this lady have specific tasks in mind?

[ is she a frequent flier of the infamous notice board? because this boy here regularly subscribes. ]

It's fine. I'm just as surprised that so many people find their way in here.

[ But yes, it is very empty, at least of other people, for now. It's clearly a building long left abandoned, even with what's been done to clean up and organize it, but once the sentries have passed and outside the chapel falls silent again, Bruno will relight a candle and use that one to light the rest he had put out previously. They cluster in bowls and cups as makeshift candleholders on the altar of the chapel, meaning the light they offer isn't too far-reaching.

Still, it shows the pews lined up and in various states of breakdown. In corners, items scavenged from the other ruins in the Barrens are set down until otherwise needed. He's since upgraded to a few ropes up to the balcony and, well, the lack of personal effects down on this floor might make it the obvious spot for Bruno to actually be living. ]

I know it's out of the way. [ And not the best choice of living space but... Anyway, he finishes with the candles and turns back, looking at Dimitri. ] Why were you running from them?

[ His answer is flat, unimpressed. ]

No. We received no word on why we were jailed, no proper sentencing, no trial. Were it not for the rescue efforts, I wouldn't be surprised if we were kept there indefinitely.

[ And considering some of the people he saw in the gallows, he sincerely doubts all of them had even committed a crime in the first place. ]

Though this type of brute force isn't surprising when several members of the Hierarchy were killed last month.

[ There's a moment's pause before he almost asks what Sylvain means by that; what mistakes did he have to worry about? It sounds like he had done all he could.

But then he frowns immediately, taking the question seriously enough that he's almost worried that Sylvain needs to ask. ]

Of course I would.

[ That goes without saying. He sighs. ]

Though you seem to be the best-behaved of us, somehow. [ Considering that he and Felix got themselves locked up. ]

[ Even if he's only met him the one time, it's obvious that Vincent is a reserved man. Stoicism can intimidate some, but Dimitri's spent too much time side-by-side with Dedue to be affected by it; if anything, there's some small comfort in quiet people that can't be found in a bustling conversation.

And Vincent hadn't leapt at the first opportunity to attack Puck. Dimitri's inclined to believe he's a decent fellow. Which makes him frown, small and tight. ]

That is a rather obvious deflection...

[ Which he understands, because he employs the same tactic often. There's no need to masterfully weave into another topic when you can simply make it very clear you're shutting one down. He understands, and hypocritically, would rather not allow it. ]

[ When the picture clarifies, blearily winking into focus, it's clearly like the phones, except massive. The sound booms in all directions. And the image itself...

It's ominous, painting a clear picture even in its vagueness, but Dokja's reaction is somehow more alarming. He doesn't totally understand what's happening here, but there's a new, stern urgency in his words as he tries to speak over the audio. ]

How do we get it to stop?

[ There's a small stream of light coming from the projection room, where presumably they can do something about this? But in the meantime, the movie plays on. ]

[ The kettle whistles, and Claude turns to turn the stove off and pour the water into the cups. A strong herbal scent accompanies the gesture, earthy and crisp. ]

I guess. It seems rather ill-informed and premature to me, to make such a huge gesture on such weak grounds. I don't know what kind of power the Hierarchy wields, but our colleagues don't like skill and power of their own. I wouldn't want to make enemies with such a large population.

... Well, not without good reason.

[ Hehe!

With the tea on its way, he grabs the cups and tilts his head toward his bedroom, gesturing for Dimitri to follow him as he wanders in. ]

In any case, we'll see what follows. So far our final rest hasn't been very restful.

[ forget quests, time to find some weed oil

But no, Dimitri certainly means quests. ]

...I think the notice board should earn us sufficient enough coin to buy what we need.

[ On Dimitri's part, he'd probably just keep his stash of coins and live without the potion, but it's an idea. Keith does seem the sort to prefer to go out and act on something rather than milling on nothing, but he doesn't want to assume. ]

If you wouldn't mind a bit of laboring, that is. [ also i'm good with any of the tasks or waiting until the new ones go up c:! ]

[ He tries not to watch her dart down the crater too overtly, though he does spot her disappear away as the knights congregate around him. No turning back now. ]

You want a story, don't you?

[ He doesn't have much time to mull over it, not wanting to trust the little creatures' collective patience, so he just sighs quietly and goes with one of the most famous ones from his childhood. ]

...Many moons ago, there was a duke named Loog, with blood blessed by the Goddess and the lineage of a fabled hero, one that felled even dark gods. But it didn't stop his lands from suffering a frigid cold. All his life, he watched the ground freeze and his people suffer winter and famine—so when he felt his emperor's heart was no longer with the people of the north, he crafted an army and rebelled. At his side were his lifelong friend, Kyphon, and his selfless advisor, Pan.

[ A few of the small elementals mill about in the crater, but they hop right by Jinx as they go to investigate what this "heroic" tale is about. ]

But the empire spanned across the continent, and would not allow itself to be fractured. The only way to independence was war. And so Kyphon followed his sworn duke out into battle under the banner of a lion, meeting the empire's army emblazoned with a two-headed eagle. And so the years-long conflict was called the War of the Eagle and Lion—as was its most famous battle.

[ The promise of this story turning violent apparently gets the little knights' attention, so she's got a minute to work. ]

[ sorry he's just immediately assigned this catman tsundere

But it's true enough that not everyone with the capacity for healing wounds does so with kindness in their hearts. Though Dimitri's surprised that he seems interested in the plight of a stranger, uncertain for a moment before he relents. ]

Yes, I live in a building with others near here. And usually, I hunt and forage for food in the woods. [ He'd rather not rely on the market, as he's been forced to do. ] And it wasn't an issue until recently. Whether it is a trick of the underworld or an affliction for a dead man, I do not know.

[ Though unlike the flower blight, it only seems to affect him. ]

[ Loog strikes her as a rather funny name, but Jinx can't afford so much as a hint of a laugh so she suppresses her reaction. As the story continues, she is reminded of the conflict between Zaun and Piltover. It seems the undercity's struggle is more universal than she previously thought.

She has to give her companion due credit: a war story seems exactly what the knights were after, entranced as they now are. Jinx has the perfect opening to collect a pair of star fragments while they have their backs to her. Even through her gloves, she can feel intense heat radiating from them, and it's a wonder she manages to deposit both in her satchel without singeing her fingertips.

Okay. Now to climb back out. She spares a glance to confirm the knights are still absorbed in the story before beginning her ascent. As she nears her exit, the foothold she was balancing on crumbles away, sending a spray of dirt and small rocks down into the crater. Not the loudest sound, but perhaps enough to attract a few eyes. A regrettable development since Jinks is now hanging by her hands from the edge of the cliff, kicking wildly to find another foothold. ]

Hm, I see.

[ interesting. he could see the allure of not wanting to head into the more technologically advanced places if they weren't familiar to them--- after all, leaks avoided it because of that. the lights, the sounds... mirth feels dangerous to him because of those kinds of temptations. he is still an austere and simple cat despite his love for magic. ]

I have seen that building. I cannot understand how one can be so tall and hold so many and not fail in some way.

[ not that he wants to, because it also keeps them from impeding on his self-claimed territory. ]

The way you describe your issue... you make it sound like you are cursed.

That someone will eventually forget all about their poor, dead friend. All it'll take is a good fuck. [ he turns his eyes back towards the path of the guards, waiting for the next rotation. ] I heard about some of the happenings in the woods, but I was admittedly preoccupied. We've hardly been told the rules here, in any case, and we certainly haven't been told what punishments await us for breaking them.

[ the branding and jailing seem excessive. laurent's gaze flickers down to the wound at his arm, then to the matching one on his companion. ]

This sort of treatment does not make me want to behave. [ he peers around the bars, listening for footsteps. ] I'm sure you're thinking of escape. Hit me. We need one of the guards to come inside so we can relieve him of his keys.

[ he laughs quietly, hopefully conveying to dimitri that he's kidding. he doesn't doubt his steadfastness in the least bit. (and who would've guessed sylvain would be the odd man out of the jail party.) ]

Never thought I'd see the day. ...Though, I can't imagine you or Felix being up to anything here that would land you behind bars.

[ it's weird they'd even been taken in the first place? he doesn't get the impression either of them have been up to funny business in the netherworld. sylvain's finished dressing the brand, but he still inspects the rest of dimitri to make sure he hasn't been too roughed up. ]

What happened in there...?

[ While he would never claim the wild woods as a safe place, the quietude and relative simplicity of it puts him more at-ease than the bustling cityscape.

It would be a lonesome place if not for all the other people living in Sooyoung's building, though. So he appreciates that much, even if that means he has to stare at the ground to get home this entire month. ]

A great deal of this place is a marvel of construction, yes. [ he lived in a castle, with all its tall spires and walls, but it's not the same as an apartment building. to someone uninitiated, they seem just as grand. ] But there are a great many unexplained afflictions here as well. You may be right—perhaps it's more magical than physical.

[ And it tracks that he'd get cursed, somehow. ]

I wonder if the underworld means to punish us through curses. I would expect as much in a purgatory like this.

[ The tea is nice. He breathes in the vapor of it, realizing that he and Claude never had much opportunity for tea times before the premature closing of the officer's academy, but this flavor does seem to suit him anyway.

He takes his mug carefully and follows after Claude; maybe their conversation is bordering on treasonous so... he wants to talk about it in his room? He doesn't think too hard about it, answering with a short hum. ]

They may not see us as a threat. They likely have long-seated power of their own, and from the looks of it, wealth.

[ What do they have? A slightly better than rundown apartment, some coin scrounged from mercenary tasks, and weapons that break under their hands. Even if they're a capable bunch of newcomers, they're still just newcomers. ]

...Do you think this is the afterlife, then? I saw that some had their doubts.

[ He does take a little peek around, trying not to stare at any one spot for long. As far as living quarters go, it's threadbare and secondhand, but Dimitri doesn't mind that; he's never been one for owning more than the essentials, even if he grew up in a castle.

But it's also threadbare, and a little—well. Lonely-looking.

He quickly turns his eyes back on Bruno, though it doesn't take him long to put together a response. Considering everything, he'd rather be as upfront as possible. ]

Because they consider me a fugitive. [ Maybe he is one. ] I do not know how much you've heard from out here, but many of us fled the gallows recently.

[ A pause. More quietly, ]

I hadn't realized I'd come seeking sanctuary in a chapel. [ He only recognizes it in this state now that the light's on. ] You've chosen an interesting place to take roost, stranger.

[ The sudden crassness stuns Dimitri too silent to craft a clever retort in time, lashes flickering in obvious surprise. He's always been taught prudence and this is... not that.

But before he can get annoyed or flustered about it, his fellow prisoner moves onto more important matters. And it's true. From all that he's gathered, the people here were never told their crimes, their sentences, their fates. For all that he knows, they were simply locked away in a grand gesture of strength, a broad and blind threat to those who threaten the Hierarchy.

It's intolerable, and he understands the decisiveness. Agrees with it, even. With just one clarification. ]

I care not to escape.

[ He's got plenty to pay for. But repenting for his violence can come after a little more violence. ]

When we retrieve the keys, free the others in this area. I can fend off any reinforcements as necessary.

[ And then without another word, he pulls his hand back into a fist, striking Laurent just as the next guard gets settled in for his should-be lazy shift nearby. It's not a gentle or unskilled hit; Dimitri's never known how to pull his punches, and it needs to look convincing anyway. ]

[ They're moving to his bedroom because Claude doesn't want to disturb his suite mate who may or may not exist. He takes a seat on the only available chair, waiting to see if Dimitri sits down on the bed or opts to stand awkwardly. ]

I think there's plenty of reason to believe that it isn't the afterlife. But maybe it is an afterlife of sorts. To be honest, after discovering that we're all from different versions of Fódlan, I'm inclined to believe that anything is possible.

[ He makes a face before sipping his tea, thoughtful still. ]

... Including leaving this place. Maybe. Maybe that's just denial about being dead. [ Who knows, it's all very confusing. ] Have you got a soulmate, Dimitri?

[ Ah, that would explain it. That also meant people had managed to get away from... from all of that. It can't have been pleasant and it makes Bruno feel even less like he'd want to turn this person back out into the Barrens. Here, at least, it was safe, even if one could not actually claim any real sanctuary in this old chapel.

He doubts the Stygian guards would care enough to respect that. ]

It reminded me of the one back home a little, so, y'know... [ Why not? But he'll look worried nonetheless, as thinking of all those people who got dragged off is like to do. ] I saw them arresting people in the city. I didn't stick around but it. It seemed crazy, right? Just grabbing anyone at all? Are you alright?

That's because it was a deflection.

[ is that a vague smile? who knows, because his expression is as impassive as ever by the time he speaks his next words. ] They're imprisoning those who've spilt blood. [ he lowers his gaze to dimitri's hand. ] The only blood I've spilt was yours.

[ the hierarchy don't seem to be too picky about who they're rounding up. ]

Perhaps, I've committed a crime I'm not aware of. [ no need to feel bad about it. ]

[ whatever lurks in the shadows of the trees and nestles itself within the foliage should be more worried about being found by this catte, who will not show mercy if he's interrupted. interrupted doing what? anything. he doesn't fear death. why would he fear a little monster?

leaks simply nods at dimitri's words about the city. about the architecture, about its design. the apartment building is something he'd love to tackle himself one day. maybe... maybe when he's a little more used to being around others in general, he wouldn't mind living in a confined space.

jk, thinking about that already makes him feel claustrophobic. ]

It would seem to be. You do not look to be the worse for wear.

[ and then he shakes his head. ]

A curse is not a punishment. Look at it as a way to guide yourself in a way that you may not have thought of. After all, you are able to communicate. You can walk, you can breathe. Whatever curse you have encountered, I do not see anything out of the ordinary.

[ just be an optimist. ]

[this is who dimitri chose as his noona. he imprinted on the wrong orv and now she's gonna make him smoke a weed in this back alleyway. jk but they are in a similarly sketchy looking alleyway... brings back memories...]

I've read about this flower thing before. Basically, if you have unrequited feelings for someone you end up coughing flowers and die.

[the casual way she says it makes it hard to tell if sooyoung herself actually believes this theory... still]

I'm not saying that the same exact thing is happening to us, but I think there are similarities... So it'd help if you told me about your feelings.

(catchall / open)

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