𝒘𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆'𝒔 𝒏𝒐 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒆... 𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖.

[bonnajade]

bonnajade: an independent, private & selective blog for Jade from HoYoverse's Honkai: Star Rail. Canon compliant but also headcanon influenced. Penned by Mari (30+, she/her, UTC -3), est. in 2025, exclusive beta editor user, dash only. Not affiliated with any fandom. Personals DNI. 

rules . profile . headcanons . verses . mains & exclusives . credits (1 . 2 . 3)

[bonnajade]

@inominati sent: ❝ something’s changed about the beating of your heart. ❞ (MARI I KNOW THIS IS RANDOM AF but i saw the sentence and thought of Mydei after receiving his new god powers being able to sense things like that and NOT TO INSINUATE ANYTHING (<.<) but what IF she had a change of heart at some point down the line? What if there's a moment between them, much later, after their deal, after whatever nights they spend together (<.<), at a moment when his fate becomes clear (and it is not a good one) and she finds her heart beating just a little different at the thought of him being unable to escape that fate? WHAT IF??? What if, for that moment, he wants to hold on to that? That's all. I apologize for the random.)

[ from blood and darkness . accepting ]

It had began, as many things did in Jade's life, as a good investment opportunity.

Amphoreus presented an unique chance for the IPC to get ahead of every other faction in a previously untapped area of the galaxy; an once-in-a-lifetime deal and the type requiring a senior executive to oversee it all. The Amber Lord's work was never done as long as there remained unchartered and dark corners in the universe, after all.

The dealings with the crown prince of Castrum Kremnos, however, had been something more personal - a fruitful opportunity to engage in her hobby and to obtain unparalleled gemstones in return. After all, Jade was profoundly interested in those who had supposedly ascended as gods, yet remained human-like in the sense they still had wishes and desires. Mydeimos was a vessel for a raw type of strength and devotion that she had not yet seen - like staring into the blazing sun despite the way it forced one to avert their gaze.

A good thing Jade was no ordinary woman; she could withstand the heat, and more than that - she craved it. With every wish granted, the moneylender received an entrancing crimson stone, glimmering as if held a volcano within and with golden streaks of the same hue of Mydei's blood. It glowed brighter than any other in her collection, it felt hotter than average on the palm of Jade's hand and it almost made her taste the coppery tang of holy blood on the tongue.

The fact that she ended up sharing a bed with Mydei, however - now that was even less of a personal business venture and more of a desire ignited in her heart. Jade's tastes were as varied as the collaterals kept in her precious jewelry box, but the demigod of Strife checked many of the required conditions: intelligence; power; danger; determination - he had what it took to be not just an intriguing partner for an one-night stand, but to make a lasting impression on someone with annoyingly high standards.

And with each every repeat of their first night, tangled in soft sheets and each other, Jade began to grow greedy. That was the issue with nurturing desires, as the Stoneheart very well knew - one could get addicted to the temptation they posed, yielding time and time again until nothing was left.

Only 'nothing', in the case of the lady running the Bonajade Exchange, was a much darker, sinister fate. One that wasn't quite clear to herself until the collaterals to Mydei's wishes (always a part of his divinity) started to lose their luster; the gemstones grew duller, their heat waning and the gold turning to a pale, melancholic yellow. It didn't bode well for the demigod - and it started to tug at the heartstrings Jade assumed to be either inexistent or frozen.

...Why did she care for what happened to him as long as the equivalent price was still being offered?

Jade's cornerstone spelled it out for her - the crown prince would face his fate and it would be a heartbreaking one. All signs pointed not to a glorious battle against the black tide creatures or even the remaining Titans of the Flame-Chase journey, but something unworthy of his light and fire burning in his eyes.

And the lauded and proud employee of the IPC never noticed how much that discovery weighted on her mind until Mydei himself called it out, head resting over her chest and hand running in idle circles over the skin of her side. It surprised Jade, enough to have her growing rigid in his embrace - a reaction too genuine to explain to the demigod who then moved from his position, seeking support from his arms to glance at his (lover? service contractor? creditor?) companion.

"That might be the most poetic thing you have ever told me, Mydei," Jade, as expected, deflected it - and for one so used to negotiation tables, it was easy to slip back into an affable persona that pretended to offer nothing but sweet honey to the other side, all the while preparing to strike once they were drunk from the nectar. Only Mydei was under no danger of being attacked - the hand that brushed the hair off his face and followed the lines of his chiseled jawline was not one hiding a sharp blade.

"I have been called heartless many times - it would appear you have evidence to the contrary," Jade's comment led to both hands pulling him down, bring the demigod to a kiss that was not shy about the hunger and need behind it - all reasonable explanations for a sudden change to her heartbeat. "That will be our secret, my dear. A little piece of free information for my favorite customer."

The references to commercial deals were not unusual with Jade - so Mydei merely smiled before giving in to the next kiss, as well as the one that followed that when she smoothly had him rolling over, making room for the moneylender to claim him as the best throne in all of Amphoreus. However, even with the pants, moans and pleasured sighs filling their room, one truth remained from that encounter.

Jade had a (beating) heart - and it (finally) cared for another.

[melaerotica]

nsfw prompt list .

send me a word / phrase and i’ll write an erotic drabble.

awaiting. our muses making out and grinding while fully clothed.

bass. my muse going deep (interpret as you want).

blinded. our muses getting frisky in the dark (wherever).

buffet. my muses spreading their legs for yours.

butterflies. our muses doing something new in bed.

bookshelves. your muse getting touchy with mine in a library.

call me maybe. our muses having phone sex.

claimed. my muse reacting to getting hickies from yours.

coffee. our muses getting frisky in the kitchen, early in the morning.

cinematic. my muse touching yours inappropriately during a movie.

city view. our muses getting frisky up against a window.

closer. my muse reacting to yours sneaking up behind them.

covered. our muses getting handsy under a shared blanket.

dancing on my own. my muse getting close and personal on the dancefloor.

discrete. my muse reacting to yours touching them under a table.

free. our muses getting frisky in a secluded lake.

freezing. our muses getting frisky in a cabin to keep warm.

game over. your muse trying to get mine’s attention during a game.

hands off. our muses attempting bondage for the first time (light).

husky. my muse reacting to your whispering in their air from behind.

meadow. our muses getting frisky under the open sky, in a field.

occupied. our muses getting riled up in a public bathroom.

papers. our muses getting frisky in an office / work setting.

peach. my muse groping your muse’s ass during grinding.

radio. our muses getting handsy in the car.

showtime. my muse showing off new lingerie to yours personally.

silence. our muses having to keep down during sex, due to whatever reason.

steamy. our muses getting frisky in the shower.

strangers in the night. our muses having a one night stand.

talk to me. my muse dirty talking with yours.

tiles. our muses getting frisky in the bathroom.

voice mail. my muse leaving yours a dirty voice mail.

you’ve got mail. either muse reacting to yours having left a dirty voice mail.

[bonnajade]

◆ the 'Jade of Credit', its abilities and connections with Jade

There is not a lot of detailed information on the cornerstones in official HSR lore. Officially, the game has stated that 'each member of the Ten Stonehearts possess a unique Cornerstone to them, and it is said that the Ten Stonehearts must cut their Cornerstone with their own will in order to allow its brilliance to radiate.' This has always led me to assume that Jade's own personality has influenced the way her cornerstone works, and that the related snake motif is a direct reflection of her essence/preferences, as well as the abilities associated to seeing other people's wishes and granting them through the Bonajade Exchange.

As such, for the purposes of my writing, I do consider that the Jade of Credit manifests as the serpent - it's not a separate creature she controls, but rather an extension of herself. The cornerstone essentially gave a part of her personality a tangible form, which translates her patient nature and approach for business in general. Jade is a long-term strategist that is willing to wait for the best opportunity to strike, who would rather be regarded as someone harmless until it is too late and who can be seen as both savior and villain - this can be said of snakes and vipers in general, too. These are generally silent creatures, which prepare well to make sure their prey won't be able to get away, and with venom that can either kill or save someone (depending on how it is used).

In line with the above, having a cornerstone that allows Jade to see people's wishes and grant their desires following an equivalent exchange makes her a very good appraiser. As Jade herself says it - she's a merchant; her special skill is assessing the value of things and she does this from an objective perspective: the morality (or lack thereof) of the collaterals is of no importance to her. This is why she is willing to take certain things that may have no 'value' to another, and doesn't discriminate in relation to the purpose - as long as her customer is asking for something within the limits of her cornerstone and that doesn't appear to be a direct contradiction to the IPC / the Amber Lord's goals, she will grant it if the right price is paid.

To add to the thoughts above, I also believe that all the collaterals she receives are transformed into gemstones for safekeeping. And one last, extra detail that I do associate to Jade's cornerstone is that, given how someone's personality and their cornerstone are inexorably linked, I also consider Jade to exhibit some snake-like traits at certain moments.

While not something that can be observed frequently and instead tends to surface only when she is experiencing a certain vulnerability / strong emotions, it can nonetheless happen (even if very few individuals can testify to it). In summary, her eyes will have pupils shaped like a serpent, body movements will grow to be silent and gracious like a snake slithering around, her canines will grow sharper and she will feel colder than usual to the touch. All these changes are, of course, temporary - and if Jade ever loses her cornerstone, they would also disappear and never manifest again.

[ohisms]

✱˚｡⋆ ↪ 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 . ( a collection of dialogue prompts based on varying types of demands &. requests . adjust phrasing as necessary . this prompt WILL likely be updated in the future . )

don't say a word .

don't leave me here .

meet me at our spot tonight .

follow me and stay close .

don't beg , it's pathetic .

can you ( tie / zip ) this for me ?

stop lying to me . tell me what you did .

put that down , you don't know what it ( is / does ) .

get out of my sight .

stop pretending you know what's going on .

find a first-aid kit . quickly !

don't get yourself killed .

leave them to me , just go .

just admit that you love me .

just admit that you hate me .

come here , let me look at you .

( name ) , don't make me do this .

drop your ( weapon ) .

stay here and wait for my signal .

don't just sit there , move .

take this and run , don't let anyone have it .

pretend you're my ( partner / girlfriend / boyfriend ) .

don't look , you'll give us away .

don't say another word .

stop pretending like you care .

go make sure the coast is clear .

take this with you . it's a good luck charm .

don't tell anyone about this .

if anybody asks about today , lie .

stop looking at me like that .

tell me you love me .

just kiss me , already .

keep your eyes on the road .

stop crying and calm down .

come with me . there's so much we could do .

wear the ( dress / tie / item ) i gave you tonight .

show me how you like to be touched .

hold my hand .

kiss me , make it look real .

look at me . how many fingers am i holding up ?

will you marry me ?

just slow down for a minute . what's going on ?

take a deep breath , you need to calm down .

get out of here , ( name ) !

draw your weapon .

go rest . i'm not asking .

take a step back .

give me a straight answer .

be polite to our guests .

look me in the eye and say that again .

put your feelings aside for a moment .

keep close to me .

here , let me see that .

look up at the sky .

get out of here , i don't want to see you right now .

stand up , this isn't over yet .

close your eyes and count to ten .

smile for the camera !

keep your head down .

( name ) , let me past .

listen carefully to what i'm about to say .

don't just stare , come in .

stop laughing , this isn't funny .

take this and hide it .

don't make a sound .

put your hands up .

quit causing problems everywhere you go .

just admit that you don't know what you're doing .

stop right there , i mean it .

don't say that name aloud .

just trust me , okay ?

stop acting so childish .

call the police . now .

tell me you love me , even if it's not real .

take a good hard look .

stop the car , ( name ) .

don't make eye contact .

stay out of trouble .

just do it already , we've waited long enough .

hold me tight , and never let me go .

finish what you started .

tell me what you know .

just stay away from me .

turn around . slowly .

don't be scared .

put it down before somebody gets hurt .

stop pretending , i'm tired of the pretending .

grab me my ( item ) , will you ?

don't make assumptions .

put this over it to stop the bleeding .

get to safety !

wipe that look off your face .

secure the area .

keep an eye on them .

look at yourself in the mirror .

run . run and don't stop .

eat . you haven't touched your food in days .

[stingslikeabee]

I am currently without internet (have been since Thursday afternoon for good) and I have no idea when this will be fixed despite calling my provider and opening multiple service tickets. This is the third time this year and I'm sick and tired of not being able to work, write or even play my games because of this. I unfortunately have limited time/patience for mobile so we'll see what I can get done - if activity is even slower than usual across my blogs, this is why.

[abernathyalice]

 Rebecca Ferguson as Rose The Hat (Doctor Sleep)

[inominati]

@bonnajade sent: “You do look beautiful. I mean it.” (for Mydei because I mean?? She isn't blind?? He has the pull of the sun and no one can ignore THAT)

Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. He wonders what it is that Lady Jade considers beautiful; her interests in the world are so different from most, who's to say that she sees what others see when making such a comment? In any case it catches him off-guard, first and foremost because in his memory this is the first time anyone's ever called him that. He's been handsome, striking, imposing - but never beautiful; and come to think of it, it's not a compliment he tends to easily give either.

Beauty - an utterly pointless trait for a warrior. A spy may be beautiful, an artist, a muse, a harlot. Their aim is to attract, inspire, seduce. A warrior could be the most hideous creature on the planet and still strike fear into the hearts of his enemies, but also admiration. Bravery and true strength are faceless. A beautiful king might be quicker to find allies or rally troops, but their loyalty might be just as skin-deep as his beauty. A king using his beauty reeks of deception, for what is a pretty face for if not to persuade where words and truth have failed?

"Will that get me anywhere with you?" Mydeimos asks and immediately hears what it sounds like once it's out of his mouth. He blanches and clears his throat. "I meant-- as a trade. Like what you.. do." Leave it to him to remain unfazed by her comment but then make himself trip over his own answer.

"Beauty is worth nothing to someone in my position." Yeah, could have started with that.

[bonnajade]

If it hadn't been for the way the warrior king seemed to grow uncomfortable and then appalled by the content of his own question, Jade would not have smiled as much at his apparent faux pas. If anything, the IPC manager was a determined sort - there was appreciation on her side for anyone who was confident enough because they had the abilities and conquests to back such claims.

A demigod had surely earned these rights.

"The answer would be yes - for both of your questions," the lavender-haired woman inhaled the fragrance of her wine with a pleased sigh, her fondness for the staple drink of Amphoreus not being exactly a secret. But rather than sipping it, Jade placed the glass back on the table between the two of them, leaning forward from her seat and pinning the redhaired individual under her penetrating gaze. "You do not think beauty is a worthy weapon, Mydei?"

The pawn shop owner did not look at him with the only intent of making him uncomfortable (or to have him marinating her answer where Jade was more candid than teasing, perhaps in an equivalent exchange for his accidental honesty); nevertheless, it was difficult to look away. Jade had seen many brave and fearsome men and women before - but there was something about Mydeimos that was truly captivating.

Like an unique, uncut gem with potential - the IPC employee craved to have him in her hands, to polish and admire.

"Many have come to me seeking beauty - the appearance you possess would be the object of desire of numerous clients; they would offer anything to look like you," Jade smiled softly, in the same way her voice was neutral but sounding a tad more sincere. Perhaps the Chrysos Heir was unaware, but he was blessed with more information than she usually divulged to clients and prospective customers alike - a dangerous indulgence.

"Beauty may not help you on the battlefield but it is so equally dangerous. Have you never been hurt by it?" she queried softly, finally reaching for the glass and taking a generous sip of the delicious red contained there, "Have you never taken a step forward while mesmerized by a beautiful flower only to realize a serpent was hiding underneath?"

Cerulean eyes twinkled with mischievousness - at that point, it was anyone's guess if Jade was talking about herself or not.

[bonnajade]

I have been thinking about Jade and Himeko's connection lately - although Jade and Himeko have only canonically interacted at the ending of the Penacony arc, they did appear to have talked directly to each another (rather than the IPC reaching out to the Express or vice-versa). I also had the same impression from the entire thing with Topaz in Jarilo-VI, when Himeko steps in at the last minute with some priceless intel that comes from a 'friend' with knowledge of Topaz's home planet and her view of the IPC. Adding that to the recent visit I got from Topaz at the Express, mentioning how the IPC often visited the Express before and even tried to acquire the train... I am just convinced at this point that both ladies have a connection off-screen, which makes some sort of sense given that they have roughly equivalent positions within their respective groups (although Jade surely works under Diamond and there is a subordination link, Himeko otherwise is bound by the majority vote of the trailblazers). They clearly do not agree on everything - Himeko even says as much during the Jarilo-VI crisis - but they appear to respect each other. I don't know where I was going with this - but I am excited for upcoming patch with Saber's art featuring Jade, Aventurine and other Penacony characters. I will gleefully take all the extra IPC and Jade lore crumbs! :D

[bonnajade]

◆ collaterals received and turning them into gemstones

A small headcanon that I have for Jade based on her voicelines is related to the collaterals she receives for the Bonajade Exchange. While in-game we know that these are often intangible things (such as someone's memories, feelings, bonds with other people etc), there are often references to precious stones being left behind as the single evidence of a deal. Jade is also fond of describing people as gemstones themselves, which has led me to develop a particular headcanon in relation to exchanges she performs.

For the purposes of my portrayal, all the collaterals received by Jade are indeed materialized in precious stones for safekeeping - no matter what they were, they will be turned into a beautiful gemstone with color, shape and other peculiar characteristics linked to the original owner. Jade collects those in a jewelry box, which is one of her most prized possessions - she alone knows what each and every one of these stones mean and the person they once belonged to (particularly in the rare event they happen to be repurchased).

While in stone form, these collaterals are not of real power to anyone else - stealing one of them won't give someone the abilities or allow them to experience the feelings sealed in the gemstone, for example. But to Jade, they are real treasures that showcase the best (or the worst) in humanity, not to mention that she finds these aesthetically pleasing: the appearance that each stone will receive after an exchange is unique, and she is fascinated by the end results.

Finally, this is a process that Jade has no power over - it's merely a byproduct of her own cornerstone. Her role is restricted to collecting the gemstone once it is produced, and then carefully storing it.

[mournfulroses]

John Keats, from Complete Poems and Selected Letters; “Lamia,” (edited)

[aedearly]

✎ㅤ. . .ㅤ𝑩𝑳𝑶𝑶𝑫 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑫𝑨𝑹𝑲𝑵𝑬𝑺𝑺.

₊˚⊹ ㅤa collection of loose quotes taken from various characters from hades (supergiant games). these quotes are from the first game of the series. writing/roleplaying prompts. from fluff to angst! feel free to edit as you see fit, especially since some are gendered.

❝ i’m leaving. try and stop me. ❞ ❝ that could have gone better. ❞ ❝ why can’t you just stay? ❞ ❝ i wish you could come with me. ❞ ❝ you’re coming with me. ❞ ❝ i have to take you back. ❞ ❝ but for you, i will be making an exception. ❞ ❝ whew… they’re gone. ❞ ❝ now, come on, we got places to be! ❞ ❝ may the fates favour your journey. ❞ ❝ oh you know, i’d rather have my eyes put out, but thanks for offering! ❞ ❝ if only… ❞ ❝ you should be ashamed of yourself, and learn your place. ❞ ❝ ahh, so you are taking pity on me, then? ❞ ❝ i’m sorry that it has to be this way. ❞ ❝ you’re late. ❞ ❝ will i see you soon? ❞ ❝ did you miss me? ❞ ❝ i’m home. ❞ ❝ we’re heading home. ❞ ❝ you… came back? ❞ ❝ i hope i didn’t keep you waiting very long, did i? ❞ ❝ is something wrong? ❞ ❝ i can’t believe this. ❞ ❝ i’m in your debt. ❞ ❝ there’s going to be payback, you know. ❞ ❝ … damn you. ❞ ❝ this is for you. ❞ ❝ do you remember me? my name is—ah, nevermind. ❞ ❝ i’m not who you think i am. ❞ ❝ keep following that heart of yours. ❞ ❝ to hell with this place! ❞ ❝ fear is for the weak. ❞ ❝ oh, look at you, you poor, poor thing, you’re hurt! ❞ ❝ you’re such a sweetheart. ❞ ❝ you brought this on yourself. ❞ ❝ no need to thank me, mate. ❞ ❝ please, i don’t want to do this… ❞ ❝ you don’t have to do this… ❞ ❝ only the best for you. ❞ ❝ i hope you’re right. ❞ ❝ gods grant me strength… ❞ ❝ that is the worst idea i think i’ve ever heard. ❞ ❝ do you understand how little sense that makes? ❞ ❝ look what i found! ❞ ❝ something’s changed about the beating of your heart. ❞ ❝ no wonder they don’t like you. ❞ ❝ wish i could be there to see your face. ❞ ❝ i’ll earn your favour yet. ❞ ❝ how bad could it be? ❞ ❝ hello there, handsome. ❞ ❝ … this is the cheesiest thing i’ve heard from you. ❞ ❝ what has gotten into you? ❞ ❝ blood and darkness! ❞ ❝ lucky for you, i’ve no pride like many others here. ❞ ❝ it’s over. i’m sorry. ❞ ❝ go. away. i won’t repeat myself. ❞ ❝ i knew your heart was true. ❞ ❝ let’s kiss and make up! ❞ ❝ mischief, me? oh please! ❞ ❝ i don’t know how you can stand this kind of thing… ❞ ❝ you tried. that’s what matters. ❞ ❝ a man after my own heart… ❞ ❝ why won’t you give up? ❞ ❝ ever so stubborn, aren’t you? ❞ ❝ life and death, one and the same. ❞ ❝ you’re running from yourself. again. ❞ ❝ what do you want from me? leave me alone. we’ve nothing to discuss anymore. ❞ ❝ i cannot bring myself to stay upset with you forever. ❞ ❝ the truth is i’m a lover, not a fighter. ❞ ❝ i have to see her! ❞ ❝ so how goes wilful disobedience of late? ❞ ❝ you think all these gifts will make things go back to the way they were? ❞ ❝ we’re older now—i’d hope we’re wiser, too. ❞ ❝ i have to go. ❞ ❝ we were having such a good time! ❞ ❝ time is up. ❞ ❝ you’re so reckless. ❞ ❝ thank you for always keeping me on my toes. ❞ ❝ your luck’s run out. ❞ ❝ i don’t know why i bother with you, honestly. ❞ ❝ may i call you my friend? ❞ ❝ i’d like to make a toast, to you! ❞ ❝ no need for special thanks. ❞ ❝ i’ve some memories i’m not quite ready to give up on yet. ❞ ❝ i’ll break your heart. ❞

[bonnajade]

@dhabibi sent: who was that? (from a 17 year old aventurine, a few months after being let out of his chains. he's still learning about the ipc and is starting at the bottom of the food chain—perhaps he gets his first glimpse of diamond from afar?)

[ from prompts for the one who question everything . accepting ]

Being Diamond's right hand alongside other senior managers had invested Jade with considerable power - not just the one naturally attributed to her station, but also the intangible respect that came with speaking for the department chief (and Emanator). Diamond's trust did not come lightly - and the woman did everything in her capacity to ensure it remained very well placed on her shoulders, including properly mentoring those that she saw fit to bring within the IPC's umbrella.

That poor child had been the last one - with beautiful eyes like gemstones, untouched by the tragedy that his body attested to otherwise. There were scars that had yet to fade, a number imprinted to his skin like cattle got branded in a few colonies of the IPC - but his gaze showed unrestrained resolve. For one so young, his drive was admirable. Not even an adult by IPC's standards, but working twice as hard than the previous recruits Jade had stamped her seal of approval on.

It could hardly be called a gamble - Jade did not partake in such games of chance; the young man had been more of a promising investment, full of courage and confidence that could transform him into a very, very relevant asset for the company. His unwillingness to pick a name and stick to his employee ID left something to be desired, but the woman allowed him that much of independence until he was cleared for initial field work.

That afternoon had been selected for a visit to the IPC's uniform department. The trademark style of their personnel was known across the galaxy, but Jade had other plans for her newest recruit. Within just a few months, the Sigonian survivor had shown remarkable tenacity in learning to read and write, avidly absorbing the knowledge imparted to him as if he had been a man drowning in the desert of ignorance and they offered him an oasis.

And that curiosity was ever present - even now, as Jade intended to have measurements taken for something more distinctive made for him (he was an associate with the makings of a good manager, she thought - and they welcomed a plethora of different approaches to success). The woman paused before pressing the button to the lift, blue eyes scanning the crowd to see who had managed to disrupt her pupil's attention - and smiled.

But of course - a good omen indeed, for those who believed in the fates; Jade did not, but the curve on her lips was sincere all the same.

"Now that, my child, is our future," the senior manager replied somewhat cryptically, crossing both arms over her chest but still retaining a laid-back posture. Jade's cerulean gaze followed her superior until he disappeared into a hallway that was accessed only by those with the right clearance, but the impact left on the floor was palpable - heads turned and whispers ran amok the crowd after the rare and priceless visit of an Emanator to a level frequented by mere mortals.

"You once came to me for an audience with Diamond, as I am sure you remember," Jade did not think the young man would ever forget the day his shackles were shattered, even if the tattoo on his neck could not be erased - and although there were those in the galaxy who would claim that the Sigonian had traded a cage for another, the Stoneheart knew it to be different. The IPC offered them the means to make the universe a better place - and it was up to them to help those who did not yet believe in the Amber Lord to see that.

"That, young one, was it. I am afraid Diamond will not be seen again in a long, long time," the lavander-haired woman turned around to the Sigonian accompanying her, finally pressing the button to continue on to their next business destination, "Unless you make it to where you want to be, and then he will be present to give you a cornerstone. Is that not your wager with me?"

Theirs was a private bet - less of a gamble and more of an aggressive investment plan, in Jade's perspective. The young man thus far displayed all the necessary conditions and signs for a great addition to the Stonehearts - and despite their profiles being so vastly different, Jade knew better than mistake personal affinities for wise business calls.

There was strength in diversity and a lucky soul would be very, very welcome.

The lift came - and Jade walked inside as soon as the doors opened with a soft sound; the young boy followed, and as the senior manager selected the right floor for their destination, she tossed some hair over a shoulder and looked at her pupil with a proud yet teasing smile. "Don't forget the prize - a five-course meal at Pier Point's finest restaurant if you make it before I did," she hummed pleasantly, "I am rooting for you, my child - there are very few things that are as satisfying as seeing the students surpassing their masters."

[bonnajade]

◆ plotted starter for @veritvincit

"Aren't we lucky to be graced with the presence of one of the greatest minds of our time today?"

Jade's voice was sweet and soft, carrying over with the usual amicable tone that was reserved for those entering her pawn shop - however, it was directed at the scholar who had just crossed the threshold to the little terrace where the moneylender was nursing a goblet of wine and an elegant charcuterie board. The restaurant where both of them were at was one of the most celebrated locations for fine dining at Pier Point - and with a lovely view of the city, too. It was the type of establishment only a certain clientele could afford, Jade and Ratio included.

Gesturing towards the empty chair by her table, the woman invited the other to keep her company over a meal without saying a word - undoubtedly a surprising choice when the professor was famously difficult to interact with and many people simply got offended or tired of his behavior. Jade, on the other hand, found Ratio fascinating - and saw in the member of the Intelligentsia Guild someone who had avoided her own services long enough.

The precious gemstone yielded by Ratio's desires would surely be something to look at and hold in her hands, she thought.

"You may sit without being afraid I will harass you about visiting my shop later, my good doctor. I am on a rare break tonight and I just craved the simple pleasures of a fine dinner," raising the glass with the red liquid within, Jade offered Ratio a simple toast with a smile that looked as charming as ever - hiding the fangs of the poisonous snake that could reveal itself at a negotiation table, "Even the best of the mundanities has to eat at some point, I imagine."

[bonnajade]

◆ Jade's real name and the 'Eve' theory

We all know that, canonically, Jade isn't really named Jade - that is just her cornerstone and consequently, how she is called once she became one of the Ten Stonehearts. Given her seniority and rank, I also headcanon that her real name isn't of public knowledge to those who joined afterwards - only Diamond and those above her are privy to that information.

However, that is not the important detail here - for the purposes of my headcanons, I don't follow the fan theory that Jade's true name is 'Eve' because of how she signs contracts when using her skill, which is supposedly reinforced by her official art including very typical biblical alegories such as the snake and the apple.

First and foremost - I do not think it is fair to say that HSR follows our alphabet. I agree that you can see something close to 'Eve' in that signature of hers, but no world or population within HSR has indicated to use roman letters. All places we have been thus far, when zooming in on posters and everything that is written around us, use gibberish and made-up letters - it's just not our alphabet, period.

Second of all - I do not see Jade being Eve-coded or even remotely inspired by Eve as a trope or archetype. To put it bluntly - she has none of the submissiveness attributed to Eve or appears to be happy to consider herself as a lesser copy with reduced agency. Jade does not look like she has been tricked or deceived by the serpent in the art either - if anything, they work in a partnership and Jade is not showing any remorse or guilt (but instead looking quite pleased with the outcome). I will eventually elaborate on the serpent aspect too, which I love as a motif and inspires my writing, too.

So, coming to the case at hand - unless canon says something different, I would imagine every Jade writer to have their own ideas about her true name. And the fact that I went with 'Lilith' isn't something unique or even remotely original - a lot of fans have argued that Jade's imagery and motifs are meant to evoke Lilith (rather than Eve), which frankly makes a lot more of sense given Jade's personality and the canon events she has been a part of.

According to the myth and what generally is associated to Lilith's figure today, she was Adam's first wife - created from the same material. However, precisely for viewing herself as an equal, Lilith was banished from the garden of Eden for refusing to obey/conform, replaced by the more submissive Eve later. Consequently, Lilith is often associated to demons (or is deemed as mother of demons), as well as the serpent itself and all sorts of temptation.

I think these are themes that are woven into Jade's exchange business - there is a strong focus on desires, wealth and her character lore stories are filled with examples of people yielding to temptation: craving beauty, love, wealth, success, etc. In fact, I personally view Jade as a good representative of the classical 'deal with the devil' trope, which is why most of my AUs have her as a witch or demoness performing these trades. The key difference is that she is not even the type to mislead the naive and gullible - the terms and conditions are clearly communicated; people only have their own desires to blame.

[inominati]

Another visitor from the skies beyond has come to Amphoreus - though from what Mydeimos has gathered not an ally to Caelus and Dan Heng (or perhaps, at best, a reluctant one). If they have quarrels among themselves they better keep them beyond the skies, however, for Okhema is having enough enemies to deal with without their infighting. It's the very reason the son of Gorgo has to leave the city, now that the flame of Strife resides within him, but his departure can't be so sudden. There are things that need taking care of before he leaves, even if every day and every hour he remains chips away at his resolve to go.

Now she.. she is not something that needs to be taken care of - in fact, every instinct he possesses tells Mydei to keep his distance and let this be a tale he takes no part in - but she is is something, someone, he wants to see before he leaves: a mystery he fears he'll regret leaving unexplored if he leaves Okhema now. She, who grants wishes - for the right price. As if the gullible among them haven't had their fair share of charlatans before, making false promises for their own profit; and yet the stories about her, spreading as quickly as they are, are different. She doesn't fall into the typical mold of granting the unbelievable for earthly treasures, doesn't try to coerce the fools lining up to trade with her. And the prices she accepts..? Not one of those who returned from her was willing to admit what they had given up. Not gold, not jewels, neither property nor blood, that's all they said for certain. Whatever Lady Jade accepts as her reward must be far more valuable that those.

His steps carry him to her assigned quarters before he can think the better of it (again) and she greets him as if she expected him to come. No line of people waiting, no lock at her door; almost as if destiny ensured nothing but his own doubts make him waver. But he's getting ahead of himself. He's only here to talk and to assess, nothing more. Her appearance matches the allure in the stories about her - a woman who doesn't appear mortal but rather like the image of a titan, etched into a mural. A goddess, an oracle - a witch; enticing and dangerous all at once. In some ways she reminds him of Aglaea, though where Aglaea is like the merciless sun in the midday sky, Jade is like the gentle moon at midnight. Whether her nature fits this analogy remains to be seen.

Mydeimos stops before her, a safe distance between them, though physical harm is not on the list of things he is worried about. The title of Crown Prince means something to him still, even if he has cast aside the dynasty and the people that granted it to him. In the end he did ascend, but what weight does a crown to a fallen kingdom, never to rise again, hold? "Mydeimos will suffice," he decides.

What is your purpose here, is what he really wants to ask - or maybe what he thinks he should want to ask. For what he truly wants is to know if the rumors are true; that she can grant any wish for the right price. Clearly the fate of this world must exceed even her abilities, such as they are, else Aglaea would have already paid the unthinkable, without doubt. The Deliverer would have traded in something far too precious, most likely, doubting his own strength to the point of making the wrong wish. But he? He, who simultaneously needs nothing and has nothing, what does he want that she could give him?

The next words he utters are not his wish, no matter how often he dreamed of the possibility, but it is a way to assess her power and maybe lead her down a false trail - for even if she turns out to be an ally, he knows better than to lay bare his desires without first testing her character. It is desperate enough to appear true and impossible enough to matter. "For all I've heard about your skill you might as well be a demigod yourself." He crosses his arms before his chest, his eyes seeking hers without fear. "Tell me. Can you bring back the fallen from Thanatos' grasp?"

[bonnajade]

'Mydeimos' - a simple name for a man that was anything but. It was interesting that the demigod who had conquered the titan of strife chose that over anything else, including a side of flattery. It caused the IPC employee's smile to grow a bit larger, obviously pleased with the words but no more than she would at casual chit-chat before an actual deal negotiation began.

It showed that the heir to the fallen city was intelligent and prudent; courteous, too, unlike those who served Nanook. Jade was aware that the titans did not offer a direct correlation to the aeons, but that seemed to be a starting point for the woman to try and anchor her knowledge of Amphoreus. Learning more about not just the planet but its inhabitants, habits and beliefs was essential - the cornerstone helped, but much of her work relied on Jade's own appraising skills.

Measuring value was one of the things she excelled at - and only a fool would miss the glowing, priceless nature of that visit to her chambers.

When Mydeimos posed his real question, however, a glimmer of interest and curiosity flickered in her blue orbs. It wasn't the first time that she was asked about matters of life and death, of course - but it was curious that the prince to such an old dynasty so intimate with the concept of glorious battle would choose to start there, not to mention an imortal. That did not mean his own demise, of course, but someone else's - for Jade to bring another back from the embrace of Thanatos... That meant resurrection.

Grief, just as pleasure, was truly universal.

"Yes and no," the woman replied, fully aware that she sounded cryptic and unhelpful at first. The small chuckle that followed was Jade's way of telling the demigod that she did not intend to stop there, pushing herself forward and taking slow, carefree steps towards Mydeimos. If his eyes had not left Jade's, watching the traveler from the sky with his own justified suspicions, the IPC employee had hardly done any differently.

It was not prudent to ignore one's opponent in battle - or a prospective partner in business.

"Life and death are matters out of my hands. Even if the price could be met, I do not possess the ability to permanently bring one back or to cause someone's departure. The equivalent exchange laws around these two subjects are delicate," the lavender-haired female explained, her voice carrying the same pleasant tone of her earlier introduction to the Kremnoan royalty. Jade, however, stood much closer to Mydeimos now, as if the words to be uttered next held the elements of a secret.

"There are, however, intermediate solutions. I can facilitate connections with the fallen ones, albeit temporarily. The duration largely depends on a personal connection between my client and the deceased - I have found out that the most intimate, personal wishes are the ones that yield the best exchanges."

Upon revealing that possibility, Jade peered up at the redhead's face, fascinated by the glow in his eyes. This close, the air felt slightly different - she was able to sense a prospective client approaching because of their budding desires, but Mydeimos was on a category of his own. Divinity transformed the environment in addition to their chosen vessels - it reminded the woman of the way she felt upon meeting Diamond for the first time, strangely aware that he was no mere mortal.

"Would that be an acceptable alternative to you, Mydeimos?" and with that, Jade didn't inquire whether or not it was his desire; there was simple no need when her cornerstone confirmed as much.

[bonnajade]

Midnight, it's time to put your face on Game set, a killer shark in heels I'm just the first shot on your hit list High kicks, a predator on wheels Woke up with bruises on my body Hands tied, like Jesus on the cross Your name's in lipstick on the mirror