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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

[effet]

[ Ah. This is upsetting to know, even if a part of him is happy that she missed him.

So, of course, since he's a firecracker at all time: Gus springs to his feet, tries to scrabble after Iona like a puppy that's been denied a walk. ]

Iona?! Iona... I was...! I'm...! I'm sorry!! I didn't mean it!

[ What is he even apologizing for anymore? Even he doesn't know. ]

[ataraxic]

I guess bleeding all over the floor didn't help...

[Nothing that a bit of small magic can't fix. Solomon's free hand hovers over the messy spots and when he lifts it up, it's all gone. Convenient!]

But you were gone for a LONG time.

[effet]

[ Whoa!! Gus needs to learn how to do that, even though he doesn't have a speck of magical talent in him...

He's still going to drape over the front counter, though, awaiting Iona's return. ]

Not because I wanted to be away! And I couldn't write her a letter...

[ Huh. ]

...Or could I have?! Does this place have an address?!

1/2

[ataraxic]

If it's a door that is everywhere, but nowhere at once, I don't think addresses would be able to pin it down.

Although, I'm sure Oren wouldn't mind taking messages, would you Oren?

[Solomon calls out to the back...]

[oren]

Not the postman.

[Well. He didn't say no...]

[effet]

It's being the postman or seeing Iona sad!

[ LOGIC. ]

[infusion]

I'm done with being sad.

[Iona returns from the back, dressed in her work clothes and plopping down next to Solomon, looking over at Gus, granting him a smile at the very least.]

With the way you're arguing with Oren though, it's like you never left. Ah, glad you got to meet Sully though.

[Iona leans on her brother's shoulder briefly as Solmon just chuckles warmly.]

[effet]

Iona...

[ And, well. For a split second, he looks like he wants to bridge the distance between them, but he's not so much sheepish as he is still apologetic for leaving her in the dark. So he shuffles his feet, stays lounging by the front counter as he scuffs his dirty shoes against the flooring. ]

I wouldn't say I left. Just... you know.

[ But he nods about being glad to have met Solomon, because he sincerely is. ]

If I can make it up to you...

[ataraxic]

Well, first thing's first. Should I leave you two alone? Well, alone with Oren anyways.

[Solomon's only half-joking at least. He glances at Gus.]

You'll probably see me again if Iona lets you stick around.

[effet]

Private is better, but... Iona will fill you in later about everything, probably.

[ Which is his way of saying 'I'll definitely see you again', because he has every intention of sticking around like a persistent plague. The Plague of Gus.

And, as an addendum, under his breath: ] ...you can also take Oren with you...

[oren]

Pardon?

[Sorry Gus, there's a hand on your head. IS HE GOING TO CRUSH IT WHO KNOWS...

Also, Solomon's waving, bye bum.]

[effet]

[ OREN... WOULD YOU TRULY DO THIS TO GUS RN!!!

Cue nervous sweating. ]

Pardonne, pardonne!! I just thought...! It would be better if the mother weren't here...

[infusion]

[As Solomon leaves, Iona scoots over closer to Gus, to swat Oren's hand away and to ruffle his hair herself.]

Well... Thanks for coming back at least.

[Her smile is warm.]

I'm glad to see you're okay.

[effet]

Ah, I... [ Hair-ruffle!! Gus's eyes narrow a little when he feels Iona's fingers in his hair, like a sleepy dog. ] ...I'm sorry, I should've brought you something as a gift or... to make up for it. But I was in a rush, and...

[ He trails off. ]

...you didn't think I wouldn't come back, right?

[infusion]

[Iona lets her hand fall back to her side, quiet for a few seconds before replying.]

It was a possibility. I wouldn't have been surprised.

[She sighs.]

But I don't like being sad about things I know I can't control. I've been sad so many time already.

1/3!?

[effet]

[ Well. That's enough for Gus to fall into his equivalent of contemplative silence, one that's punctuated by a few instances where he opens his mouth...and then shuts it, as if he has to find the right moment to actually speak up.

When he finally does, he reaches across the counter to grab one of Iona's hands, holds it between his palms and shakes it up and down in mild urgency. ]

Iona!

[effet]

I know that I can't stop sad things from happening— even I'm not that naive. [ more vigorous hand-shaking, as if to emphasize each point that he's clumsily trying to make. ] But I'm just as stubborn as I am loud! And too outspoken?! And... okay, forget that tangent!

[ Good job, Gus. ]

But I promise you, absolutely promise you, that I'll never disappear without saying a word. Never. Never!

Never.

DONE

[effet]

...So if I disappear without saying anything and it's not because of my family, it's definitely Oren's fault.

[ GUS........................ ]

[oren]

[HAND ON GUS'S HEAD ONCE MORE.]

Will never be found again.

[effet]

Ah, I'm joking! Joking!!

[ PUTTING HIS HANDS UP... in the universal surrender motion! ]

I didn't want to make it too heavy, because sad things aren't things I want to talk about? But I want to promise that as long as I live, I'll always find a way to come back here. Alright?

[infusion]

[Iona lets out a laugh because of Gus, because of Oren, because of them both.]

You know what? Knowing you, I'll believe that and I'm holding you to that promise, okay?

[effet]

Good!

[ And he really looks pleased, genuinely, as he sits up and grins with his whole face.

But wait, speaking of promises and being here— ]

...And I'm pretty sure Claude feels the same way? He's kind of. In house arrest right now, but he'll be back too! I'm sure of it!

[infusion]

[Her expression falters slightly upon hearing that.]

Ugh, really? [She rests her chin on the table, miffed.]

Well, if you can, tell him not to get too comfortable there okay? I told him he's supposed to visit.

[effet]

Haha...

[ Some dry laughter here, because... well. You Know. ]

I've been trying to get them to ease up on his house arrest, but they keep saying that he doesn't seem to have learned his lesson...

...Probably because he's not that inconvenienced...

...



You know how he is...

[ The hikikomori life. ]

[infusion]

I did not rip off my skirt for him to just be holed up in there.

[Sitting up and crossing her arms.]

Although, I guess Oren could make a care package if he's gonna be there for a while.