Inbox - NIGHTFELL

[dodgeouttahell]

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text + photo | un: 4025dusk2

[prozaic]

🐍

[just as an opener, so he knows who this.

then shalem sends a picture of his shield, with the following caption:]

I'm quite in debt now, but that was worth it.

[dodgeouttahell]

[What? What's this? A message! Excuse him while he admires the novelty of it. His eyebrows arch, lips twitching in tentative recognition of the snake, and then he taps open the picture and—

wow. ] Wow! Is it the one from home? How did you get it?

[prozaic]

This is indeed the one from home. If it is a fake, it's a well-made fake that shall now work as well as the original one, because I brought it to a smith for soulforging.
As for how I got it, I helped someone and was apparently rewarded for it.

[dodgeouttahell]

Soulforging.
What does that entail exactly? I heard about it but I didn't really understand it.

[More like, he was in a rush, as usual, and didn't stay long enough to even listen in properly.]

[prozaic]

A smith takes a soul and casts it into an ingot, then proceeds to forge the weapon from there. A process I still don't fully understand, but my weapon works as intended.

[dodgeouttahell]

That's amazing! I bet you're feeling super glad to have something familiar here.

[prozaic]

It is a relief, yes. I'm more comfortable wandering the wilderness with it on my arm now.
At the same time, I can train you much better with it.

[dodgeouttahell]

I have the feeling that little Boardie here [Yes, he named the makeshift shield he got for their practice sessions.] won't last long against your own shield, though. I can't tell from the picture, but what is it made of?

[prozaic]

A melding of a number of different alloys found in my world, and built specifically to conduct my Arts better while providing me with ample protection from enemies.
And the risk of shocking myself.

[dodgeouttahell]

Shocking? Does it channel thunder, or something?

[prozaic]

You've seen my Arts, yes? It burns you in that form.
But the second form my Arts takes is similar to electricity, or lightning. It hurts quite a bit more.

[dodgeouttahell]

I've felt something similar, I believe. Got a few zaps myself, really.

[prozaic]

Then you understand that I must take precautions, yes? This shield helps me protect myself from myself.

[dodgeouttahell]

I understand, yes. Is it very heavy? It looks massive.

[prozaic]

It comes up to my waist. [given how long shalem's legs are? that's substantial.]
But it is indeed heavy. Most of its weight comes from the thickness of the outer shells, but there are wiring systems inside to help me with my Arts, so it's not merely a thick slab of different steel alloys melded together.

[dodgeouttahell]

[Here goes nothing, but the lad is thrumming with excitement.]

Could I try holding it? Just to see what it's like?

It's okay if you don't want me to, mind. I understand being without it around here can make people a lot wearier.

[prozaic]

I could be convinced, as long as you promise to take care. I'm sure it will come out fine, but you might not, if you're careless.

[dodgeouttahell]

Absolutely, Shalem. You can count on me.

[In the distance, someone is doing a little jig.]

[prozaic]

I will let you know of a time and place for our next training session, and you can handle it then.

[dodgeouttahell]

I'll be waiting!

delivery

[prozaic]

[there's a delivery of a small mason jar, just about 290mL, with a simple note-- even if the writing is anything but simple. in fact, it's downright elegant, a cursive only seen in people who went to expensive, fancy schools or had special tutoring. no signature, except the "S" in spiced tea is stylized specifically to be a snake, larger than the rest of the writing, and eye-catching.]

Spiced tea, but with a little kick! (Don't drink too much in one go, please.)

As a small token of friendship, may it keep you warm even for just a moment in this snowy weather.

[inside the jar itself is a light brown liquid, still with a bit of the ingredients used to make it-- a thin slice of lemon, zest from an orange, so on and so forth. as for the kick? it's rum.]

[dodgeouttahell]

[Zag isn't exactly the kind of person to linger much at home, but every now and then he does return. He's been doing more that lately, too — the disease in his lungs asks for it. So he's on his way in when he notices the mason jar, and he starts.

A gift? He's not.

He's not used to getting them.

Then again, he's used to giving them first, at least, and he has gifted something to Shalem, too.

He settles on the raised surface near the hearth, bundled with thrown blankets and cushions, and lets the drink warm up as he opens the jar and lets its scent waft to his nose.

It smells lovely, and he barely has the strength to let the tea warm up again by the fire.

Once he does try it, he does lick at his lips, eyebrows arching up.

And then sends Shalem a text message.]

I got your package!
It's delicious!
Did you make this?

[prozaic]

I did. If you enjoyed it, that means I did it well.

[dodgeouttahell]

It is a delight, mate. I thank you. Is it too much of me to ask if we drink it together next time?

[prozaic]

I will need more ingredients, but I'll make it for you again any time you want it.

[dodgeouttahell]

It is as you said, it's a lot better to drink when you have company.

[prozaic]

Of course. Just tell me ahead of time, all right? Gathering ingredients is the most time-consuming part of the preparations.

[dodgeouttahell]

I will!

a tag labelled "break glass in case of crau"

[appeale]

[ at some point in December, there is a gift at Zagreus' door: a neatly folded handkerchief made of black silk with a flower and Zagreus' initial embroidered on it. laid atop the handkerchief is a small, plain card, a message written on it in elegant calligraphy that reads: ]

Dear Zagreus,

Merry Christmas! I don't have much to give, but I'm grateful you've been such a good friend to me since we met. I'm really glad to know you!

Love,
Rudbeckia de Borgia ♡

[ inside the folded handkerchief is another slip of paper that provides the name of the flower and its symbolism, along with a sheepish footnote: I'm sure everyone must be a little tired of flowers at the moment, but I hope this can be a positive association. ]