Inbox for sticksandbones

[sesa]

I will make this pretty later

(Spoilers I won't, I always say I will but I won't-)

===

INVENTORY:

-Grenade Launcher with 3 ammo stacks (refreshes monthly)

-Nondescript gaming console (it's an offbrand Nintendo Switch)

-Some glowing star rocks from an investigation with Elsword in the Deep Woods

-A little knitted dragon from Elsword that I forgot to link and am too lazy to find now

-1 Kotatsu that he keeps in his room at the lab. It's red with light beige birds on it

-His toolbox from Rhodes

-A workshop that connects to Gnosis' lab via a breezeway. He lives there with Passenger now

-3 erythrites, used to make Passenger a pair of earrings

Comments

[bajamutblast]

[If Dion were new here, maybe he'd be a little surprised by the dragon horns and tail. He's spent long enough around Clive and literally everyone else around the grove by now, though, that he thinks nothing of it. He does, however, pay particularly close attention to the weapon on the table. He isn't sure what it's meant to be, but he can tell it's a mechanical marvel. Even the Fallen would have marveled at it.]

I, ah -

[Well, he did come in here knowing exactly what he was going to say, but that phrasing? He is one (1) gay man, how is he supposed to handle how all these men speak to him.

Anyway...]

Dion Lesage. As I am sure you can see, I am quite new here. However, one of my dear friends from home, Joshua, arrived before me. Given, ah, all he has done for me, I wish to give him a gift.

[It's more than that. It's a courting gesture, but he isn't about to gush that in his third sentence to the guy.]

I wish to have an ear cuff crafted out of this. [He holds out an ornamental piece, ripped straight off of his own armor.] Melted down, ideally, and given new shape. If you are familiar with Clive, he wears a similar piece.

[sesa]

[For what it's worth, Sesa wasn't actually trying to flirt, at least not this time. He's just. Stupid, this is something you'll get used to.

Anyway!! Sesa wipes some grease off his face with one hand while he carefully reaches out to take the ornamental piece in his claws, turning it over so he can examine it in the light.]

I am, yes...though. Apologies if I'm prying, and you do not have to answer if you don't want to, but...are you sure you want to melt down something as fine as this?

[bajamutblast]

I am. [There's no hesitation here whatsoever.] The piece I removed was for show, and I have no use for something so impractical. The rest of my armor still suits me well. Besides.


[He folds his arms, studying Sesa in silence for a moment. Whatever he's searching for, he seems to find, for he quickly adds on:]

Besides, this is meant to be symbolic. It is my oath to protect the man I intend to give it to. If not from my armor, then what would I have?

[sesa]

[Sesa, immediately to himself: oh okay so you're gay got it

He'll turn the piece over in his hand one more time, as if to study it more closely, before he nods and turns his attention back to Dion.]

In that case, I would be happy to get this done for you. It shouldn't take very long, just a few days at most. Do you have any idea what exactly you want this cuff to look like? Or am I to put my own stylistic flair into the piece?

[bajamutblast]

[Dion... actually hadn't thought about that. He does want it to bear something of a semblance to the one that Clive wears, if only to ensure that the sentiment is maintained. However, anything more had slipped his mind.]

If you are able to spy the one that Clive wears, that would be a start. Beyond that, though... something draconic, I suppose? It is... difficult to describe, but the semblance alone should be enough.

[sesa]

Heh. Well, if "draconic" is what you're after, then you've come to the right place.

[Sesa smiles, showing off his rows of sharp fangs as he carefully places the metal piece on a section of table that's far away from the bits and bobs of the Punisher he's repairing, so it'll be safe and out of the way until such a time that he's ready to smelt it down.]

The result will be finer than what it started as, this I swear to you.

[bajamutblast]

This I believe.

[He doubts Sesa would come so recommended if he weren't fully capable of pulling something together. Never mind the fact that he seems to be doing a decent job at... repairing? building? whatever weapon is on the table. Dion might not understand what it is, but he can admit that it's a marvel.]

Now, regarding payment. I understand that shells are a common currency, and I am happy to exchange them. [He jingles the little satchel he has.] But if there is something else you would prefer, I would be glad to give it to you.

[sesa]

Mmm...to be perfectly honest with you, I would be more than happy to do this for you for free. Finding shells here isn't a particularly difficult task, and that's only if you need them for something. Working with metal and machinery has long since been a passion and hobby of mine, so you giving me a project to work on merely fuels that.

[He brushes some of his hair out of his eyes, smirking.]

But you seem like the polite sort to insist you pay me somehow, so the shells will suffice. Truly, the look on your face when I deliver the finished product will be worth far more.

[bajamutblast]

You know me far too well.

[Dion takes his satchel of shells and sets them down on whatever surface doesn't seem to be actively in use. The corner of his mouth twitches down as he wonders if it's enough, but decides to leave it be. Sesa is being kind enough in accepting Dion's offer.]

I admit I am interested in this trade of yours. Most of my weaponry and armor was always provided to me, you see. I should like to see something be made first hand.

[He waves his hand.]

At a later date, however. I would not distract you from your work any further.

[sesa]

[Sesa can't help but give a hearty laugh at that. It would make him sound like an asshole if he weren't so genuine about everything. This man has no thoughts and a heart that's simply too big.]

You're more than welcome to stop by any time. I usually keep my workshop open to the outside for the fresh air it provides, but these snakes have made doing that...troublesome. Come back sometime next month, I wager, and they should be gone enough for me to get back to my normal work.

But your piece will be done long before then. I give you my word.

[Wink!]

[bajamutblast]

[It's a good thing that Dion has grown very used to men who wear their hearts on their sleeve. A few weeks ago and he might have been affronted. Now, he only smiles. The people in this place are strange, but good. He's starting to get used to that.]

I shall take you up on that. And I trust you at your word.

[He gives a little bow.]

I will drop in in three days time, but do not feel as if it must be done by then. Perhaps I will simply watch you work for a time, if you will have me.

[sesa]

You are more than welcome to. I think I would quite enjoy the company, actually.

[Not many come stop by while he's working, and it's both the chance to socialize and show off, and he isn't about to pass up either.]

Be careful until then, will you? I do not want to hear that you've been stricken down by those snakes by the time you get back.

[bajamutblast]

Fear not. [He holds his hand out, palm open, to soothe any concerns Sesa might have.] I do not intend to fall prey to them any further. Though I do have to ask you do the same

[And with Sesa's doubt hopefully assuaged, Dion backs out of the room.]

Until next we meet.

[kingincognito]

[ Roughly two weeks after Sesa has completed Dion's commission, he gets another visitor! This time, it's someone he knows. Vaguely, anyway, but still!

He's been meaning to pay the man a visit, to check on him after everything that happened inside of the arbor. This just gives him another reason to go.

When Joshua arrives, he's standing with a long cord of beads in his hand. Once, this strand was tied to his belt, looping down over his hip and behind his scabbard. Now, he has other plans for... at least part of it.

But he will knock! Politely! Because he isn't about to be rude and enter uninvited. ]

[sesa]

[Thankfully, Sesa is doing quite a bit better now than he was then. He's not...completely okay? But it's mostly old traumas being dredged up, not new ones, so they're reburied easily enough. At least until this place decides to bring them back to the surface, of course.

In the meantime, he has much to occupy himself with. More projects than he's used to, lately, that's for certain. Nevertheless, when he hears a light knock at the garage door, he'll call out from the other side while he works on repairing the dents on a panel that came off of the side of Wolfwood's Punisher.]

Come in!

[kingincognito]

[ The call is all he needs - it's clear that Sesa is both home and wanting of visitors. With a nod to himself, he opens the door, slipping in quickly and being sure to close it tightly behind him. With the snakes about, he isn't about to inadvertently let one into someone's home. ]

Hello, Sesa. I hope you have been doing well.

[ The words come along with a smile, and he politely folds his arms behind his back. ]

I hope I'm not interrupting?

[sesa]

[YEAH, unfortunately Sesa usually would keep the workshop open to the outside, but he can't do that right now...it means it's probably a little warm in here, but given Joshua's fire aspect, maybe it won't be too much of a bother?

Regardless, Sesa pushes up his goggles as Joshua enters, and his expression shifts ever so slightly. It's briefly tense, then quickly shifts to a little embarrassed...apologetic? Ah...he certainly made a bit of a fool of himself, last they met. But he'll quickly mask it with a smile of his own as he lowers his hands to the table.]

Not at all. Just doing some repairs. What can I do for you?

[kingincognito]

[ Indeed, the warmth doesn't bother him! He is far more used to warmth than he is the cold, particularly as it was the month before last. Sesa's workshop is downright comfortable in comparison.

If Joshua notices that flicker of embarrassment, he certainly doesn't address it. He pauses at a respectful distance, shifting the string of ornaments behind his back. ]

My reason for visiting is twofold. For one, I have been wanting to check in on you, to see how you fare after... all that we went through.

[ He was linked into your mind, sir. He knows that some trauma was pulled to the surface. ]

And, secondly... [ He pulls the ornaments from behind him, holding them up for inspection. ] I have heard that you are able to make custom jewelry. I thought I might see if it would be possible for you to turn one of these ornaments into an earring...?

[ The ear cuff that Sesa made for Dion sits glimmering on Joshua's ear even now. ]

[sesa]

[It's impossible not to notice the ear cuff from here, and Sesa...he's a bleeding heart. He can't help but smile softly, pleased to see that it had gone over well. Dion had insisted this was just a symbol of his protection for Joshua, but he knew it was more than that.

Otherwise, Joshua wouldn't be here asking him for the same, would he?]

Ah...I am doing alright. Having some time to process my thoughts and be far outside of my own head has helped, as you can imagine.

[But! Enough about him!! He'll reach up a hand from where he's sitting to take the ornaments from Joshua.]

But I believe I certainly can make something out of these for you. Do you have any specific shape or design in mind?

[kingincognito]

[ It's a relief to hear, and Joshua fully understands it. Distance can help, as he knows. ]

I am glad to hear it. Should you ever need someone to talk to, I would be glad to offer an ear. Though, I would also understand if you do not wish to speak of it.

[ The offer is on the table, at least, and that's the most he can do. The ornaments are gladly handed over, and Joshua's arms return to being politely folded behind his back. ]

Not particularly. Though, it might be best to avoid anything that hangs too long...? I would not want it to impede any potential combat. The one it is intended for has armor that sticks up a bit near the neck.

[sesa]

[Sesa nods, turning the ornament over carefully in his claws. He may not be a front-lines fighter, but he can understand such a need.]

I understand. If it hangs at all, it will be a short distance. Unless you'd prefer a stud, you think? Are your ears pierced?

[He asks as he pushes some of his work aside, picking up a notebook so he can write down some notes while they're talking.

Though...he does find his thoughts wandering as he turns the pages, skimming past an old gun concept he'd drawn up a couple months ago during some of his off time. This was for...

...

Should you ever need someone to talk to...]

I...do apologize, for the way I behaved there. I know you were able to feel what I was feeling, but even so. I suppose it's just something I still haven't been able to really get past. Losing my brother.

[kingincognito]

[ Good. Sesa seems very professional about all of this. Not that he doubted it! But it's nice to see all the same. ]

Mine are not, no. A stud would be all right, I think, though I do not know Dion's preference... His current pair of earrings hang just slightly beneath his earlobes. Do you think a shorter stud would be too mismatched?

[ He really doesn't know much about this. His own outfit is... asymmetrical in most places, so he knows that it isn't too strange, but all the same. What if it would look weird? Best to get a second opinion.

Sesa's apology makes him pause, though, expression softening. ]

There is no need to apologize. I understand - for a long while, I thought my own brother lost, and the grief I felt was immeasurable. It is not something so easily gotten past. Time heals all wounds, as they say, but it is not a quick or painless process.

[ He hums softly, thoughtfully, frowning first down at the floor, then up at Sesa. ]

Would you like to talk about it...?

[sesa]

[It is hilarious that Joshua is asking SESA for fashion advice. Like oh no, honey no.

Granted, Sesa also does not have his ears pierced...though he would like them done someday. Looking in Flamebringer's direction.]

Honestly, I don't think it would look that bad. Having a bit of asymmetry in one's look is more interesting than if everything matched perfectly, in my opinion. Though he also may opt to wear just the one earring...I'm not sure.

[He's already doodling some sketch concepts as well as they talk, both a version that's just the aforementioned stud, as well as one that hangs a little bit.

Though...his pencil slows when the subject circles back to his brother.]

There is not much to be said, admittedly. You saw most of what it was. There was...an accident. A fire, at his place of employment that took his life.

[The way Sesa says that is...more bitter than resigned. There's something off about it.]

[kingincognito]

[ Look he don't know, he's grasping for straws-- ]

Hmm... The stud may be fine, then. Though, if you wanted to use more than one ornament and make an asymmetrical pair, I would not be opposed. I would, of course, pay extra for a second.

[ That way, Dion could have a choice. One, or both. Ah, though if he means to enchant them, he might need to wear both...? He will make a decision on that once he receives the final product. He can't do anything until then anyway.

Though, Sesa's answer makes him hesitate. It isn't the words so much as it is the tone. Joshua doesn't want to press the issue, so he remains silent for a brief moment, drawing in a soft breath. ]

... of course. My apologies. I do not mean to pry.

[sesa]

I'm not particularly bothered by the payment. It is as I told Dion: I get more enjoyment from seeing the finished product received than I do the shells.

[He pauses, his brows furrowing just slightly.]

Mm...no need to apologize. It isn't your fault.

[His tail curls around the leg of his chair idly as he sketches, glancing up at Joshua to eye the cuff he's already made. Perhaps he can make them similar, in some way. Matching...]

It's just frustrating, in that it was preventable.