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[gouttelette]

Claudia

livres

---

COURT

DARK

DORM

pending.

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[restitui]

[ on christmas day, claudia will find a cute cloak and oufit (though the dress is in a deep red-black). the inside has runes etched into it. these ones provide protection meaning, if it's worn, it should offer some limit of protection up to your (china's) ooc choice ]

xmas 2025;

[haram]

[ Claudia will find an locket hanging from her doorknob, within containing a small vial of Armand's blood.

No context provided, no note or engraving of any kind, because one must always keep others guessing, although if she were to wear it, others would be able to sense the immense power within that blood, although who can say whether that would protect or endanger her more? Among their kind it would more usually be the former, but here... again, who can say?

And were she to drink it, well; there is enough there to heal her from that which might indeed harm even a vampire badly enough they'd otherwise need days or weeks to recover, but is it enough to strengthen her own blood, her own powers? Good question. She is certainly welcome to wonder. ]

xmas 2025

[holiestlove]

[ A few hours after her gift arrived, a package was left outside of her door neatly wrapped in what looked like parchment, a wax seal holding a ribbon in place for the final detail.

Inside the small wrapped box resting on shredded paper was a lovely silver dagger. If it was real silver was debatable, but as decorative as it looked, it was solid. ]

Thank you for your wonderful gift. I do apologize that mine is late, but I hope it will be of service to you should you ever need it.

-Jonathan

a paper-wrapped parcel delivered to Claudia’s doorstep on Christmas evening;

[long_lost]

[ The parcel comes with a letter. ]

Dear Claudia,

My sincerest thanks for the Christmas gifts you left me at the library today. The ribbon, in particular, is likely to be invaluable to my ritual practice in the future. Forgive me for my relatively paltry gift in return; I’ll admit, I was caught off-guard by your generosity. Enclosed, you will find a chalice candle (or at least, the closest to one I could produce with the materials I had at hand) and a vial of particular ink. The candle will produce a sweet scent and mild euphoria when burned; I would also like to note that its red color is due to botanical ingredients rather than those of the hematological variety.

The ink is a minor Ink of Containment. It may be used to write messages that may not be read under the sunlight and also puts off all manner of common vermin, both mundane and occult. I have heard that you are dealing with the presence of a disagreeable sort of associate in this realm. Perhaps take this ink as a symbol of my wish that you remain untroubled by this person.

I should also mention: the ink, though it does not contain any as an ingredient, smells quite pungently of feline effluence. [ That is, in facetiously fussy Librarian-speak: cat piss. ] Please use it wisely.

Merry Christmas,

Daniel

[ As promised, the parcel will indeed contain a hand-poured, crimson-colored candle and a small vial of clear, dark ink. ]

audio | un: d.owens

[long_lost]

Good day, Claudia. This is Daniel speaking. I hope the last few weeks have been kind to you.

If you're amenable, I'd like to request your help with a certain ritual. Rest assured, the danger will be minimal; neither of us will need to shed any blood, though we will each need to cut a lock of hair. I must also ask you: are you able to ingest non-hematological food and drink without becoming ill?

Do let me know if you are willing to participate. I will, of course, be happy to share whatever fruits may come of our collaboration.

[ What exactly those fruits me be, he's leaving unsaid. One never can be too careful when using these nosy little devices. ]

[gouttelette]

Hello, Daniel. Been better, been worse.

I can ingest the things you talked about that nobody else would ever say that way. Guess I ought to be happy you consider 'hematological food and drink' as valid food and drink? What'd you do, pick up some pamphlet tells you how to talk to your vampire friends without making 'em feel weird?

Gotta ask. How far down the list was I? You must know some smart magicians out here. If I was further down than number five, you oughtta say I was number five.

[long_lost]

No pamphlet needed—it is simply my natural inclination to strive for verbal precision. [ He's poking fun at himself, just a bit. ] Anyway, I can't be sure that the vampires of your History don't ever make a blood pudding or sausage. I need a term that leaves open the possibility.

Would you believe me if I said you were the first to come to mind? You are already familiar with both myself and my rituals, and I believe you have a fitting disposition for this one. Prior expertise isn't necessary; I can instruct you on the particulars.

[gouttelette]

[there's a brief pause, where an area vampire who's never been a major priority for any grown man she's ever met contemplates this with skepticism. well, well. maybe the ritual is a minor priority. would make sense. novice in faerie that she is. and more importantly, she's curious.]

You're pretty good at talking to vampires, Mr. Owens. I'm not saying no. Hell, I'm saying 'yes.' But I've gotta ask.

What is my 'disposition?'

[long_lost]

Hm. It's a bit odd to put into layman's terms. I mentioned "Principles" before, yes? They are, I suppose, the immaterial aspects of a person or thing, imbued by its environment, recurring behaviors, experiences, patterns of thought, and et cetera... For example, consider two blades of identical make. One is used by the assassin, the other by the fishmonger. Wash and sharpen them both and though they may still appear identical, the trained eye can discern which has taken lives and which has taken scales. Consequently, it is the former that would be the more potent of the two in a ritual of Edge.

So it is with people. Different individuals have different Principles which predispose them to certain occult practice. As for your Principles: Grail is the most obvious, but I also sense a strong potential for Moth. It is the latter which I believe would confer an advantage in the ritual at hand.

[gouttelette]

Grail.

[her voice is thoughtful.]

Sounds fancy. 'Moth' ain't bad, either, as long as it's not gonna put holes in my new clothes. I like them how they are, and all the best ones are brand new.

Thought you were gonna use some words I understand, though. Like. 'Oh, Claudia de Pointe du Lac. Spitfire. Brilliant dissembler. Jokes for days.' How you describe a person's disposition, Daniel. At least, outside of your Principles.

[long_lost]

[ A chuckle. ] My apologies. I thought you were asking about your disposition as it relates to occult practice. You know, I don't like trying to translate Principles into personality; they are only partially related, after all, and I much prefer to get to know people via conversation.

But let's see, if you insist on a more conventional description... [ He pauses, taking stock of his various interactions with her thus far. ] You are of an inquisitive and witty disposition, somewhat acerbic at times, with a knack for whimsical turns of language and an occasional impulsive streak. Does that sound about right? [ Nothing that will offend her, he hopes. He does strive for honesty. ] You are welcome to retort with your assessment of me if it evens things out.

...Oh, and you mentioned clothes! Yes, I should mention that for this ritual, you will need to bring an extra garment, of the sort that can be removed fairly easily. A scarf, for example, or a coat.

text - feb 13 - don't feel like you have to respond but a small thing

[restitui]

the shop will be closed tomorrow
you should find something fun to do

[gouttelette]

I'm always doing something fun.

All right. Have yourself a rowdy good time, Billy.

[restitui]

your idea of a good time isn't terrorizing the masses is it?

[gouttelette]

Come on. We can blame the Earl for last month. And your tender sensibilities for the one after that.

I'm real nice. Sarcasm and a couple extra sharp teeth, that's all.

[restitui]

rlly?
i think your lack of filter is to blame tbh


i didn't say you weren't nice
but you do know how to use those teeth

not like that just
you definitely like to sink in a point

[gouttelette]

You're very punny today. I like it. Makes you sound like an old queen.

Got plenty of filter. Most of the time, what gets out is fully intended.

You guys going somewhere fun? One of you make plans, both, or neither?

[restitui]

maybe you're rubbing off on me

there's not a lot of places to go here
but i have an idea i just need the space for it
i don't think he'll know what day it is anyway so it's just a nice surprise

sometime in april —

[restitui]

[ Quiet and Billy aren't two words unusual in the same sentence even if after the powers had returned quiet had been more of an accompaniment. Thoughtful, worried, cautious as ever. He sees the messages on the Leaf and the ever-growing knot in his stomach settles into a tight boulder. For some days, he ignores it, or tries to. The store opens and the clothes have shifted a little. ]

[ Passover comes and the store's hours change little, though any little snacks made with chametz have disappeared - not that Claudia has any need for it. Should he want to do something for it, he doesn't, but maybe that's not so strange. He talks normally to her, even if the heaviness of earlier confusion hasn't quite left him. Even if his thoughts are tangled and that one day, merely minutes after she's left the store for the evening he texts: ]

I'm going to make a deal with a Court Ruler. I'm letting you know in case anything goes awry.

[gouttelette]

I take it you ain't looking for feedback.

[claudia the vampire would, of course, manage to be blunt even when she's doing her best to be discreet. to show care in the crankiest way possible, even when she is manifestly taking her hands of the wheel, giving her friend his autonomy.]

Hope you're getting something real fucking good, Billy.

Or maybe not too good. You know. What with the fucking price of milk.

[restitui]

[ It's funny, how many of the people he cares for have aversions to showing they care. It's funny, when in each of their own ways, this is why he's made this decisions: ]

definitely no feedback thanks

i think it's good but there's a chance they'll laugh me off. i'm going to try and deal with the sameone i did last time.

[gouttelette]

Can I ask who that was? And what you got?

Bearing in mind I don't know ass from tit when it comes to the ones sitting on the thrones. Except for the perv. Everybody knows the perv. Have like eight people tell me about the fucko just as soon as I arrived.

[restitui]

Countess Zorya.

It is how I got the shop. In exchange we have to keep a line of clothes up in heels honor. Not a bad deal especially when her style fits the aesthetic.

[gouttelette]

Now, what does Billy Kaplan want with the Dusk Court? Inquiring minds. Don't have to tell me, just observing.

She does seem your aesthetic, it's true. And the deal was fair, give or take the slow and inevitable distortion of our souls. She must like your black candles and nail polish, yeah?

[restitui]

the black and the stars probably benefit. the walls are all her doing.

i'm going to ask to join her court.