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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

[infusion]

Nnn.

[Now Iona looks miffed as if wanting to argue a little more, but knows that it's pointless.]

Well... I'll be ready in 20 minutes. Oren can wait with you in the cafe until then.

[pragnanz]

Waiting it is. Come on, Auguste.

[ A muffled "1 more hour", and Claude turns on his heels to head for the door...

...and seems to realize that it's not going to take him to the cafe, mostly because he's not magic.

Stupid magic. ]

[oren]

[Well, let this golem wife help out with that. With the last of the dishes completed, Oren walks over and turns the knob where the cafe greets them with bright lights.]

After you.

[pragnanz]

[ A raised brow and a quick 'merci' later, Claude steps out of the door and...

...into the cafe, this will likely never not be weird to him. ]

If only traveling were always so convenient. I'd never have to go outside.

[oren]

Outside necessary.

[Oren it was a joke...]

This kind of magic rare. Old. Very few can replicate.

[pragnanz]

I imagine it's your magic, then? Judging by your age.

[ Or, wait... ]

...Or your Master's?

[oren]

Been here long before me or her. Berna found it. Built upon it.

[Oren rearranges a few chairs and tables so that they're in a more aesthetic position.]

Then gave it to Iona. She built upon it more.

[pragnanz]

And made it a home to be a part of.

[ He says so flatly, as he rolls Gus onto a comfortable-looking armchair in the corner of the room. ]

I apologize if Auguste trampled into her heart a bit more wildly than you would've liked.

[oren]

No one else for him? In Paris? Or too difficult to pair up?

[pragnanz]

Once things settle, possibly. There are things that need to be put into place, but afterwards, I'm sure he'll find a way to settle down.

[oren]

[He stares at Gus. And then back at Claude.]

Are you sure?

[Oren.... Golem of little faith.....]

[pragnanz]

[ Oren?! Gus deserves this rudeness, though... Claude shoots him a look, and the guy frowns in his sleep, as if he Knows. ]

...Possibly.

[ CLAUDE... ]

[oren]

Well.

He's got time.

[Why are they both so mean...]

[pragnanz]

[ For Claude, it's out of love, don't worry. For all of the minor jabbing, his opinion of his brother is much higher than the sum of those insults; that's just how things are. ]

And the tenacity. [ His expression softens incrementally, before falling back into that careful distance. ] Are you concerned?

[oren]

He's good.

[That's Oren's answer to that anyways.]

People would like him. Unsurprisingly. Although Iona likes most everyone.

[pragnanz]

Most.

Do tell me how to get on her blacklist.

[oren]

Ah.

Tired of getting along with her?

[At least that's what Oren thinks. Iona being bratty and acting younger than her age was just one of her many forms of affection.]

[pragnanz]

Surprised that she's bothered, would be a better assessment.

[ Bluntly, with a raised brow. ]

I'd imagine that it'd only be troublesome for her, in the long run.

[oren]

Why surprising?

Kindness makes bothersome people.

[oren wait that was supposed to be a nice thing you said right...]

[pragnanz]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but kindness should reasonably be given to those who would benefit from or appreciate it. A human doesn't show kindness towards a brick wall— there's no point.

[oren]

Will correct then.

Kindness can work that way. Equal exchange. Makes sense. But changes from person to person. Can be reasonable as you said.

[He pauses since this is Oren being wordier than he usually is.]

But unreasonable people exist. [He points at Claude]

Unreasonable brick wall.

[And then he turns and points to the door that opens up with Iona who blinks at this unorthodox greeting.]

... Unreasonable kindness.

"Pardon??"

[pragnanz]

[ He hardly takes offense to being called a brick wall— if the shoe fits, etc.— so he just laughs, watches Iona come in and greets her with a similarly unorthodox: ]

You should chastise your friend, he's accused you of having an unreasonable affinity towards brick walls.

[infusion]

Yeah, well guess who lives and works with one.

[Dry as dry can be.]

[pragnanz]

Ah.

That would make him incredibly vain about having your affections, then.

[ As casual as can be... ]

[infusion]

Hm. Fancy that.

[And Iona and Oren leave it at that. Their connection with each other is a topic for another day.]

Alright, here's the plan. Oren will tail us, but from a good distance away. No one will see him either. I'll stick with you and Gus and we'll also go unnoticed. Simple enough, right?