GRIM REAPER | AP

affiliated with isola radiale || indie friendly Ragna's House (Archimedes Ward)

[blazingdawn]

he doesn't believe her. that much she can tell, even without that sarcastic tone of his. and truth be told, verifying what she said is hard without skott or sushang here. her eyes narrow as she too snatches another glass, an idea forming.

" Really? Want to put your money where your mouth is?" at least, that's how boothill always worded it. " You and me. A drinking game. Whoever doesn't tap out wins." that desire to win in competition was already flaring up and she'd be damned if she lost to this fantasy video-game looking guy.

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Ugh— you gotta be kiddin' me." Of course this is how things were gonna end up. ... Would he have done it any differently if he was the one being taunted? Doesn't matter, the important thing is that she's the one working the shovel right now— even if he ends up joining her for the dig, she still started it.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... The hell are we tryin' to win here? Bragging rights?? I can get those any other day of the week." ... But maybe just getting her to drink enough to take a nap would be a win in and of itself. Hmm...

[blazingdawn]

" Why do you hate me?" was that overdramatic? perhaps. after all, he was a stranger but stelle was nothing if not someone determined and unashamed in how she approaches any situation. including ones with someone who can't even have a little bit of faith.

" You know, I met someone like you before. In the end he lost a bet we had and I made him get on his knees and bark like a dog before apologizing for all the trouble he caused."

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— Ohhhhkay, alright." So this is how it's gonna go? Damn, he needs a refill for this. ... So he'll just snatch a fresh glass from a waiter's platter while replacing it with his empty one— every single drop is gonna be necessary tonight.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Gonna ignore that first bit— and assuming I also wanna believe that last part..." He doesn't. "That just tells me to not make any bets with ya. ... Even though I'd probably win 'em anyway."

[blazingdawn]

" Honestly while I expected some slow songs, I'm surprised a lot of them....aren't!" perhaps it's reminding her of her time in penacony, the way she somehow found herself either in trouble or helping out some aspiring artists.

" By the way, I could totally master the choreography to this." she's so sure of herself. " There's a reason I was gifted an airship afterall!" that.......wasn't the reason but it's not important.

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"............." The silence is pretty thick for a while, with him maintaining the most unimpressed look a Grim Reaper could ever give. He just takes another long sip from his glass as she rambles on a bit longer, eventually giving a heavy sigh... before finally giving her a response.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... Alright— that's a lot of nice humble bragging you got going on here. That's still not gonna get me dancing any time soon. ... Also, I just don't believe you. At all."

[camelliacried]

       RAGNA is exactly where she expected him to be— wherever the least amount of socialization could be had. Between the drinks and buffet table, he's nearly flush against the wall with two glasses in hand. She takes the full one from his right hand with a warm smile, admiring his slicked-back hair for what had to be the twentieth time that evening.

   ❝   For me ? You shouldn't have.  ❞ ⠀He really shouldn't have— she's already had two while she was off mingling.

@seithrveined: wintertide ball.

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀There's no way her guess could have been wrong. Socializing has never been the Grim Reaper's strong suit in any point of his life— but thankfully, Tsubaki doesn't try to change him into something he'll never be. What she has done is help him be able to... tolerate these sort of events. He can do that much for her sake— hell, it's not even miserable at all for him at this point, so long as she does most of the talking.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah? Well, I gotta disagree. I definitely needed more— so that means you gotta have more too." After taking a sip from his chosen glass, he offers the full one over to her to bring the number up to three for her.

[camelliacried]

       ❝   Let's see... ❞      WHERE he sees shards of glass, she sees countless opportunities. Abstract, realism, mosaic— as expected from the City of Glass, Tsubaki can identify plenty of stylistic choices in the boundless options. She taps a finger against her chin as she bends over to inspect each cluster of stained glass and colored sand, tilting her head this way and that. Would it be possible to recreate a mural of the legendary Six— ah, no, that would be much too massive. Where would she hang it ? Perhaps a miniature landscape...

        Despite all the possibilities running through her mind, she keeps coming back to one idea... More of a concept, really...

       ❝   Hmm... Ragna, I'd like you to gather up all the red glass pieces that catch your eye. The shade doesn't matter— just so long as you like them for one reason or another. We'll divide and conquer.  ❞ ⠀

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"… Uhh— Just get a bunch of red ones?” The simplicity takes him back just a bit, but oh well. “Sure, I can do that.” If that’s what the artist wants, it’s what she gets.

⠀⠀⠀⠀He takes his time to look around and look out for any red shards that catch his eye. He doesn’t give the reasoning much thought for now, art is too abstract for his wheelhouse. Maybe he can piece things together later… right now, the literal piecing together is coming along nicely. Red shards stick out more than most of the other shades around here. The shapes and sizes are already pretty varied as he drops off a few handfuls over a few trips, hopefully he’s doing this right and won’t make this process harder for her.

[worldrebel]

there were very few sights in this world or that other that would please her more than seeing terumi suffer an endless torment. however, witnessing the famed ragna the bloodedge chase after a pumpkin with legs and fail to catch it again and again was a strong contender. could she help? perhaps, if she had her magic.

but she doesn't so she's content to remain perched upon the wooden fence lining the pumpkin patch, one leg crossed over the other.

" Surely you're not going to let a walking vegetable beat you." she calls out after another pumpkin manages to slide through between the gap in his legs, which caused the man to fall face first into the dirt. " I'm beginning to almost feel sorry for you."

@seithrveined - THOSE PUMPKINS GOT LEGS

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀Holding back has always been hard to do for Ragna— going all out and taking care of a problem quickly is just his natural instinct. Now, if he knows the target is too fragile to handle his full power, that's enough to make him pull his punches better... But when the target is literally so fragile that they'll burst open at the slightest use of force by his standards? That shit gets annoying real fast.

⠀⠀The peanut gallery commentary isn't helping one damn bit, either.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Ugh— lazy witches don't get to talk!" He dusts himself off after barking back at Nine, eyes trying to lock in on the escaping pumpkin once again. "Unless you want this thing smashed into a dozen pieces, keep your mouth shut!" He's got half a mind to grab the damn thing and get it crushed right next to her— maybe having to pick out pumpkin pieces out of her hair for a night will show her.

[camelliacried]

        IT  was a wonderfully-kept secret. She assumed they were going to the City of Glass for the massive barbecue party right at the entrance, as that was right up Ragna's alley, so it was surprising that he led them both right past it— which only made the anticipation grow. When he finally revealed their actual destination, Tsubaki's entire face lit up; the area looked so serene with all the sanded-down pieces of stained glass just waiting to be put into place, occasionally glinting in the light or casting vibrant shadows on the ground. In a moment of pure joy and excitement, all she can think to do is clasp his nearest hand in her own as she rocks eagerly on the balls of her feet.

   ❝   I almost don't even know where to start... ! I've never worked with stained glass before. We'll have to figure it out together as we go along— but frankly, I wouldn't have it any other way.  ❞ ⠀Despite what she says, she's clearly in her element— even as she speaks, Tsubaki's already begun leading him in closer by the hand.    ❝   Well, the logical place to start is to see what all we have to work with...  ❞ ⠀

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀Seeing her light up so much, so quickly— it's exactly what he was hoping for. Try as he might, it's hard to fight back a small smile as she looks around the area. Even if Ragna himself might feel totally lost at what to do with all this, it'll be enough to follow her lead and be her assistant. Hopefully he just doesn't screw it up in the end— last thing this place needs is broken glass everywhere.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Yeah, take your time with that— I wouldn't even know where to begin with all this." It's not like he can't appreciate art and aesthetics to some degree... but everything here just looks like colored ash or broken glass to him— a thought he'll keep to himself, of course.

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀@camelliacried wanted to get creative...

⠀⠀A new attraction for this year's SpiraleFES, Stained Glass City, seemed to catch Tsubaki's interest. Looks like another way for artistic types to work out some fancy stuff to scratch some creative itch... She didn't outright say that she was interested, but Ragna had a very strong feeling that this would be up her alley. So, in a surprise move, he managed to get her over to the City of Glass without giving away his intent till the last second. He felt relief after the truth came out— her face was a genuine sort of joy that he never gets tired of working out of her.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"I was just thinkin'... I could help ya make something here. I don't really have an artistic bone in my body, so— I'm fine just being your, uh... assistant, I think? Yeah, so just tell me what to do, and I'll follow your lead."

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀@daxned was on her way home... But then—

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Whoa, hang on there—" Ragna is under the assumption that this kid was just about to wander out into the Mistwood without knowing any better. He couldn't just ignore the idea of a kid wandering into dangerous territory like that, so— he's blocked off her path with one casual wave of his arm. But that hand is also holding a pastry, so the gesture doubles as him making an offer to keep her attention. "You shouldn't be wanderin' out there by yourself, kid. Not really a friendly place to get lost in."

[sommiar]

Ector flashes through her mind, and suddenly, Artoria is the village girl again — for a half-remembered dream, long gone before the morning lark sings tomorrow. she cannot help it; not when it hits too close to something that will never return. “... Huh. You are a kind person, aren’t you?”

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"— Ehh??" ... Well, shit— that kinda caught him off guard. He was predicting either some nervous attempt to talk around his words, or some aggressive comeback for teasing her. But having his kind heart called out so casually, straight through his tough-guy attitude... ... That kinda pisses him off— maybe.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"That's— uhh... If that's what you take away from me picking on you, then... Sure— kindest person 'round the block." And just to make sure the scales stay balanced, he reaches towards the short girl and tugs her hat down over her eyes. Can't be letting her get too chummy without consequences. "Alright, ya little twerp— you lookin' to buy one of these sword cakes, or make one? I get the feeling you're gonna need help either way."

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀Been a while since I set one up, but now's a good time to get things going again with new stuff. So here's a Starter Call for non-event stuff, capped at 5. They'll probably be short ones too.

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"You ever wake up feelin'... really pissed off, but you can't remember why? Like you had a dream that got really annoying, but you already forgot what even happened. ... That keeps happenin' to me lately, and I got no clue what would get me so worked up."

[exousiate-archive]

a non-committal hum. not a single emotion passes across his face, and only when it is all over, a hand ruminates through his purchased bag of goods. his expression remains unreadable as he checks over the paper, inspecting it, before offering it without any words.

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀... A moment of silence, followed by a confused sound as he takes the offered slip of paper. He gives it a quick scan from front to back, his frown refusing to ease up. Fifteen percent off an order of fifty dust or higher. ... Now he gives an irritated huff— being pitied on under the assumption that he might be either poor or a cheapskate... Neither choice is flattering.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... That's just... a bandage for a lame-ass market. ... But, thanks— or... whatever."

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"What the hell— sixty dust for, like... four fruits and one meat?? This is robbery— I feel like someone should get their ass kicked for this. Where are the farmers around here??"

[inheirit]

⠀⠀⠀THE ⠀silence feels a little too thick as she leans forward, peering at the phone as if she were in desperate need of glasses. The one with the bow...

   ⠀❛ ⠀I don't see it,⠀❜ ⠀Rin replies flatly, turning up her nose at the suggestion. For some reason, the very thought irritates her. Greatly.    ❛ ⠀That one looks like a lot of trouble. Haughty, too— nothing like me at all. … But bows are plenty reliable in their own right. She's a good one to have. Probably.⠀❜ ⠀

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀... There's no way she doesn't see it. And there's no way he's imagining things. Maybe she's being willfully ignorant? Might be the only way she can cope with the truth— the alleged truth.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"... Uh huh." That's definitely the tone of someone that doesn't believe her, barely even trying to hide it as well. "If you say so. I'll just keep using her, then. For gameplay reasons, of course."

[sommiar]

ah. the implication hangs in the air in a manner she is intimately familiar with, and the shame is palpable in her bones. she wants to protest, to cover for the village girl but she has never been good at denying what happened in her heart. “Ahahaha… Is it that obvious?”

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀⠀⠀"It wasn't exactly subtle, ya know." It didn't really need a detective to put the pieces together— but bullying her too hard over it would just be overkill. "If that's what ya want, then just ask for it— I'd only judge you... a little bit." Maybe a lot.

[camelliacried]

       ❝   As a matter of fact, I have narrowed it down.  ❞ ⠀  TSUBAKI  seems utterly pleased with herself, and that gentle clear of the throat says a lecture is imminent. Using her pointer (a food thermometer), she begins to single out snapshot images of various characters as they become relevant.

       ❝   Really, I'm glad you asked ! This is Mimsy, the secondary heroine of Tulip's Garden. Mimsy is the childhood friend of Serena, but they grew distant when the latter left their hometown for university. Fate brings Serena back to town when her grandmother, Tulip, leaves Serena her estate in her will — a run-down old home with an expansive garden. Serena brings it upon herself to restore the home to its former glory, and plans to profit off the garden as it flourishes again — with the help of Mimsy and other supporting characters, of course, along with a few love interests. Are you with me so far ?   ❞ ⠀  

[seithrveined]

⠀⠀... Oh, god— He really stepped into it now. He's gonna have to stand there and learn about a whole buncha stuff that he won't need outside this house. Damn— all cause it makes her happy and keep smiling over the little things in life. Obviously that's a result he'd always want— but that doesn't make the learning any easier.

⠀⠀⠀⠀"Uh—" His eyes keep darting along the board as her makeshift pointer leads him along her train of thought. A lot of names to keep up, already a lot of dynamics being set up for future relevance. There's a momentary silence where she can see the gears turning in his head— at the very least, the effort can't be mistaken for indifference. "... Yeah— I think I got it so far."