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[formidable]

Private AU/PSL RP, set anywhere from 1879 alternate history France to 21st century North America. A tale of two brothers and the witch and her golem who gets entangled in their lives. Urban fantasy, steampunk, magic, guns, and coffee collide. ➤ PART I ➢ "La Caravane".

Comments

[oren]

Gus.

[The looming presence of Oren emerges from the kitchen with a tray of drinks to be served to an awaiting table. The golem had already heard the loud Frenchman from the back, but regardless, greets him, drywall-like as usual.]

You're back. Met Hei.

[Hei shifts a little when Oren comes out. The both of them are civil with each other, but...]

[effet]

[ Mercifully (???) for Gus, Oren's appearance doesn't faze him too much anymore— not after the cockblocking that went on earlier. In fact, he looks a little happy to be seeing a familiar face at the Grind, even if that face happens to be very...stoic. Better than nothing.

Perking up, he gives the golem a wave. ]

Afternoon, Oren! Looking as chipper as ever.

[oren]

I see. Rested well.

[Oren is... Well, who knows how he feels about seeing Gus again because he knows he's not the reason for the visit. Hei is still looking at the gifts wearily and Oren casts a glance at them.]

For her? Relentless.

[oren, was that a compliment or...? Even Hei looks confused by his choice of words.]

[effet]

[ He'll take it as a compliment... ruthlessness is charming, in his line of 'work'.

Brushing that jab aside for now, he holds up the dress in Oren's general direction this time around, looking incredibly pleased with himself. ]

For her, who else? I made her something too, so you're going to have to put up with me until she comes back.

[healbuff]

He threw a macaron at me.

[not helping Hei]

[effet]

It didn't even hit you!

[ TATTLETALE?! ]

1/2

[oren]

. . .

. . .

Only one?

[healbuff]

You want MORE things thrown at me!?

[effet]

[ Slowly

picking up a stuffed bear from his pile of things.

Guess what he's thinking of doing with it... ]

[healbuff]

Sir?! [ Oren is just shaking his head at Gus as his way of saying no ]

[effet]

[ He considers this carefully. He really does.

But a beat later, and with a mischievous grin—

—he tosses the bear at Hei's head. ]

[healbuff]

[Catching the bear then, GOD. With the teddy bear in his hands, Hei sighs.]

I don't suppose you'll be wanting something to drink now, will you? I mean, as long as you're staying.

[And assuming he's waiting for just Iona...]

[effet]

[ Booooo.... there's a bit of a sulk when his blow doesn't land, but whatever!!

The mention of a drink mildly placates him. ]

...I would, but I can only pay in Francs.

[ The most outdated currency in the world. ]

[oren]

Acceptable.

[Hei blinks, but allows Oren to decide this one. He took the coin that Claude paid with after all!]

Iona's almost done. Will be back to work soon.

[Aaand the warlock seems to brighten up at the prospect.]

[effet]

[ Well! That settled, he reaches into his pocket and produces one shiny gold Franc (which incidentally doesn't look like the currency they used to use, but. hey.), which he lobs at Oren. SO much throwing being done today. ]

Alright, alright. Coffee and a cake for me.

[ And he starts fussing with his hair, pulling it up and then deciding against it, slicking it back experimentally before deciding that he doesn't like that either. Tryhard... ]

Oren, Oren. Do you think Iona likes this... [ posing with his bangs pulled back, trying so hard to smolder like the Hoff. ] ...or this? [ shaking his hair out like a big labrador. ]

1/2

[oren]

[Oren catches the coin effortlessly, before staring at Gus as he asks his opinion on hairstyles.]

. . .

[AND HE LOOKS AT HEI CAUSE LIKE HELL HE'S HELPING OUT...]

[healbuff]

["Oh, your hair seems loner compared to the last time I saw you..."

"Ah... I haven't had the time to focus on grooming myself lately."

"That's okay! I think longer hair would be a nice look on you! It makes you look more relaxed!"

. . .

Hei coughs a bit.]

Ah, well her preferences aren't exact. You'll be fine, Gustave.

[The most goddamn helpful men in the world right here.]

[effet]

What kind of terrible advice is that!?

[ CALLING YOU OUT, HEI?! What is this, why is everyone so uncooperative?! ]

Objectively! Which do you think looks better?!

[ He does both styles, and yet he still looks like a total dweeb either way. ]

[healbuff]

Ah, but it's Miss Iona you're trying to impress, right? I may not be that helpful in that regard.

[Smile smile smile!!!!]

[effet]

[ THROWS


TWO MORE TEDDY BEARS!!! ]

[healbuff]

[CATCHES, Hei's gonna get his workout for the day done...]

Does she even need that many teddy bears!?

[effet]

I couldn't choose between the one in a top hat or the one with a monocle.

1/2

[oren]

[Oren's just gonna serve Gus his cake and coffee while allowing Hei to take the brunt of Gus's ridiculousness, god these children...]

[infusion]

[About 40 minutes later, the door opens and Iona walks in, greeted by her customers.]

Hi, everyone! Glad you're enjoying yourselves! Is Hei doing alright??

[Hei perks up at the sight of the witch and is about to greet her, but instead her eyes grow wide at the sight of Gus.]

Gus! You came back!!

[effet]

[ Gus does an immediate 360 when he finally hears that familiar voice, and puts down a stuffed monkey (it's in a vest...it's cute!!) so he can stand up and welcome Iona with literal wide arms. ]

Iona, of course I did! See, I'm just as magic as you are.