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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".

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[infusion]

They originate from Jewish folklore, specifically, but in general, a golem is an anthropomorphized being created from inanimate matter, usually earth related. Think marble, granite, or clay.

[She pauses to pick up one of the teddy bears that might have fallen on the ground, moving around its arms as she explains.]

For "us," golems are servile tools and usually not much else. They'll have a core that houses the energy needed for it to move and to obey the commands that its creator has etched on its surface. That energy runs out eventually or when its commands are fulfilled, it shuts down and just becomes rock again.

[A beat.]

Oren's a golem. But he's the only one of his kind because my grandmother was the one who created him.

[effet]

So...he's like a walking, talking doll? That's...

[ 'A little sad', he's almost tempted to say. But he supposes that that's the sort of signifier someone who isn't familiar with magic would use: and besides, he'd be a hypocrite if he said that. He's always been intimately infatuated with wires and gears, and those things have a life of their own, he knows that.

So, backpedal: ] ...Pretty remarkable, all things considered.

[infusion]

That's one way to put it. But you've been able to see enough of him to tell already, right?

[Iona grins, setting the bear on her lap.]

He's got an attitude to contend with.

[effet]

Well, he's had centuries to brush up on that, right? I'd be more surprised if he didn't pick up anything, especially since your grandmother is so...

[ ...okay, that's awkward. Let's find another word that isn't equivalent to 'hot'... ]

...Spirited! Spirited.

[infusion]

Yeah, yeah.

[She rolls her eyes, but the good nature from her expression doesn't fade.]

My point is, is that Oren takes his job listening to me very seriously, to the point where he probably wouldn't concern himself with anyone else. But, I don't let him do that!

[Iona nods, as if pleased with herself.]

That's why, when he argues with other people, I think it's a good sign that he's able to care, even if he's being a brat about it. After all, that's better than a doll, right?

[effet]

[ Well. He mulls that over in his mind, thinks about that answer as he takes another sip of coffee (again, delicious) and cake.

It sounds simple, and maybe it is— he hopes it is, at least.

So he grins over the rim of his mug, shrugs amiably. ]

Yeah, sure. I guess he doesn't need to take it easy on me, then— I can take him, anyway.

[infusion]

So that means you have no problem with him coming to the ball with us right?

[sparkle sparkle]

[effet]

[ And perhaps, surprisingly: ]

No! None at all.

[ sparkle sparkle in return ]

[oren]

[Oren returns to clear their table. He looks at the cake and then the macarons and then at Iona.]

. . .

. . .

Too much sugar. Both of you. Overdoing it.

[effet]

[ And, without missing a beat: ]

Yes, mother!

[ Watch him shove the entire rest of that cake into his fatass mouth, Oren. ]

[infusion]

[Iona, on the other hand actually holds back on the macarons for now. There's one more important thing she should tell Gus before she gets excited about going back to Paris.]

Oh, and Gus, about Hei! He's not just a friend, but the reason why he mentioned keeping him updated, is because he's part of a group of warlocks who are more or less a peace keeping task force.

[effet]

[ Huh. Through a mouthful of cake: ]

....And he thinks I'd get in his way or something? It's not like I can do anything about a coalition of magical people.

[infusion]

It's not so much that Gus... "Peace keeping," isn't just fending off or combat although they are trained for that. But for his group, it's more of cover up and concealment.

[There's a pause as she takes the dress off the table to fold it neatly and place it in her lap.]

If something blatantly magical and supernatural catches the attention of a larger group of normals, they do behind the scenes work to manipulate the perception of events such as clearing away any evidence, feeding the press information that lines up logically, or... Worst comes to worse, they'll change or wipe away memories.

[effet]

[ Ah. That isn't completely out of the ordinary, minus the methods: where he's from, 'behind the scenes work' is usually, well.

Killing, so there's that. Memory wiping seems a lot kinder in comparison, not that he's quite so keen. There's a strange sort of detachment that happens here, and Gus doesn't look quite so fazed. ]

Yeah, well.

He's not coming anywhere near my head, so.

[infusion]

Yeah, well...

[She pokes his cheek with one finger.]

Behave.

[effet]

You know I'm 20, right... I'm not a kid?!

[infusion]

And I'm 23. Guess who's got the upper hand, hon?

[effet]

3 years isn't that much older. Most of the people I know are 10 years older than me, give or take.

[infusion]

Ah, really now? Are there really not that many other people your age group you get to spend time with?

[effet]

Sometimes? When I sneak out, I do. It's easier to do that without all the pomp and frills of having a last name and things like that, you know?

It's not all that bad. It's not an inconvenience— I talk to plenty of people.

[infusion]

Well, you're definitely good at it.

[HAIR RUFFLING FOR THAT before setting her hand down. Well, also Iona likes Gus's hair, it's ripe for fluffings.]

Anyways, about that ball. Is there a certain occasion being celebrated or is it just the keeping up of appearances?

[effet]

[ Ghhhh!!! He's not a kid but the hair ruffling is nice... he tells himself that this is just temporary, before he can turn into the True Seme (TM). Let the guy dream. ]

Mostly just a mandatory meeting disguised as a ball. People say hi to the old man, pretend not to talk politics, and generally find an excuse to drink champagne and look like we all like each other.

[infusion]

Sounds like it's hard to have fun with an atmosphere like that, unless "The Sun of Montmartre," is an actual thing for you.

[NO IT'S NOT IONA]

... Also I don't have to talk to your dad right?

[effet]

Eh, I manage. It's not too hard.

[ His expression sours just a little. ]

But no, you won't have to talk to him. He probably won't try to, not voluntarily.

[infusion]

[The sour expression shouldn't have surprised her given Gus's personality and Claude's avoidance of mentioning their father to begin with. Iona has to admit, there's something a little painful about it though, but she's got enough self-awareness to know when she's in danger of projecting.

So she simply replies with her trademark cheerfulness.]

Well, whether anyone likes it or not, we're going to have fun and look great doing it. That sound ideal?