kaisou | text | un: otterfan04131973

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text | un: otterfan04131973

WHO: Neuvillette and you!
WHERE: Libra app
WHEN: February 12th
WHAT: Local Old Man Puts Out Another Ad (Valentines Edition)
WARNINGS: None

☆ Looking for Paid Escort

I am looking for a person to pose as my companion on the 14th of February. There are many 'couples-only' experiences in this city and I wish to attend these and immerse myself in the experience. I do not have a preference for appearance, gender, or magical ability. If you are of divinity please do not exhibit any divine characteristics in my vicinity.

Events may include, and are not limited to:

Wedding cake sampling (There may be nut allergens)

A pastry-making class (There may be nut allergens)

A dance class (There may be nut allergens)

A multiple-course meal themed around heart shapes (Pescetarian)

A boat ride on the lake (the boat is OSHA certified safe. I am willing to provide swimming lessons for safety.)

I will pay a rate of at least $400/hour, for a minimum of four (4) hours. You may negotiate depending on your skills and/or certifications.

do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers

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I should warn you.

Dan Heng and I are trying to lay low right now. There is some Black Order zealot who wants to kill him and possibly anyone connected to him, so be careful. Her name is Teresa.

Anyway, I can meet you somewhere.

[Typing bubble........]

Is law enforcement involved, with this Teresa? I know the Black Order operates outside normal bounds, but you should have a lookout at least.

She hasn't done anything to break the law... yet. She acts with the same hatred I bore during my possession, but she is perfectly sober.

We have plenty of people patrolling. There is no need to worry. We aren't alone.

I won't let anything happen to him.

You will protect each other, yes? My concern extends to the both of you.

Let us meet in the early hours, on the 14th, near Blue Fish Lake. Walk with me there.

[... Oh. He probably worried Neuvillette, too.

Oops.]

Of course. He's demonstrated as much to me.

[Romantic plans are a big no with them being on a boat around other people, so he can't find a reason to decline.]

All right. I'll bring everything.

See you there.

[On the morning of the 14th, Blade shows up near the lake. He has a thin, long box tucked underneath his arm. Underneath the other is a crutch. Aside from the obvious injury, he looks like he's healing up well enough; there are hints of bandages on his hands, but everything else is hidden underneath several layers of black clothing, including a long coat.

He's not much of a morning person, so when he doesn't see Neuvillette immediately, he fights to stay awake.]

[He is more worried for Blade rather than Dan Heng, actually; he's seen Dan Heng in action. Not to say that Blade can't take care of himself, but he seems a little bit more... intense. Lawbreaking. Anyway.

He arrives on the dot, and makes a beeline for Blade, with a very large IKEA tote bag in one hand, and a coffee carrier in the other.]

Blade. [His brow furrows in concern.] Ah. You are injured?

[Blade swears he yawns and closes his eyes for a moment and then the next, Neuvillette has teleported in front of him. Blade blinks, and then he realizes he.

Never.

Told him.

What happened.]

Neuvillette.

... It's not as bad as it was. [Blade that is not comforting. He glances at the IKEA tote bag, which is somehow more interesting than the coffee even if he's got a vested interest in both.] A small price to pay for freedom. Of course, it took its dues in other ways, but...

Let's find somewhere to sit. I'll start from the beginning.

[The look Neuvillette gives him suggests that he is going to get interrogated the moment they sit down. But he acquiesces, because if Blade agreed to meet like this, Neuvillette trusted that he knew his own limits.]

All right. This way.

[He leads them towards a clearing, with a good view of the lake; there's several stone tables and chairs scattered around, with some of them already occupied by other park-goers.

He sets the tote bag down on the table, and the carrier, and he'll wait for Blade to sit down first, seeing if he can help.]

[Naturally. And he does have a time limit. He's still taking pills on schedule, and Dan Heng will come fetch him if he isn't back in a reasonable amount of time.]

Ah, this place...

[Mara had tried so hard to ruin it for him, but Blade sees how serene it is and all he thinks about is the first time he saw Dan Heng smile. He sucks in a breath as he lets himself down onto the seat carefully. The box goes onto the table, taking up little space due to how thin it is, while he rests his crutch against the chair.]

Here's your cane. [He pushes the box forward an inch.] Made to your specifications. I had the time, so I gave it a little kick. The blade is enchanted with lightning. Douse someone with your magic first and they'll get a nasty surprise.

[The craftsmanship is intricate, there is no doubt about it. Somehow the silver dragon wrapped around the hilt and becoming the handle bears a slight resemblance to Neuvillette, but it's only coincidental. Sapphires are used sparingly but to great effect, giving it color and balancing it against the blue.]

Sorry it took so long for me to get it to you. I've been... dealing with some things.

[No shit. Look at him.]

Did I ever mention I was possessed?

[A look of wonder crosses Neuvillette's face as he takes the cane out of the box - he flicks it open, trailing a finger along the visible blade. Water coats the steel, and he can feel the prickle of the lightning (electro?) humming underneath it.]

Exquisite craftsmanship. You have impressed me.

[He sets it against the table, and takes out one of the coffee cups - an americano - setting it in front of Blade.]

But no. I did not know. Was?

I told you I wouldn't disappoint.

[Blade does not know modesty when it comes to his work. If he calls it out for having a flaw, it's because it has one and isn't worthy of being given to other people.

He looks at the americano, and gives a nod.] Thanks. [He takes a tiny sip to taste the temperature. Not bad.]

Was. The beast manipulated me into a contract as I lay dying. I don't remember any of it, nor do I recall most of my own life before a year ago. When I awoke in the hospital I had magic and a blood price to pay for it.

[He rotates the cup on the table with his fingers as he collects his words.]

Then I moved to Kaisou for a... new start. I found out that there had been another person with a demon in his head, and he managed to survive it by having it destroyed.

So I contracted myself to the Black Order. If Mara made me lose control, they could kill me if I was too far gone. This was going to be my fate no matter what, but I wanted to see if they could change it. If I could change it.

I saw the writing on the wall. The beast was getting impatient. Possessive. I made my preparations, provoked it deliberately, and waited. I held out as long as I could...

[His voice softens.]

Mara took me, as I expected. But there were some complications. He used my body as a shield and a weapon. In order to gain my freedom, I had to be beaten within an inch of my life. Mara exhausted everything including my magic, so I've had to heal like... a normal person. My arms and legs were still in rough shape even after a week of surgeries, so I was on bed rest until recently.

But now I'm here. Alive. Alone in my own head at last. I'm proof that the cycle can be broken.

[He takes a sip of his coffee.]

A reforged blade.

[For a moment, he's thankful that his own spiritual contractor wasn't actively malicious. It must have been so much for a child (?) so young.]

It is good that you are alive, and I am all the more grateful that you made time for me. [Neuvillette looks him over, and it would be called fretting on any other man.] I would loathe to lose such a talented weaponsmith, so please refrain from expiring.

Perhaps a vacation is in order, after all this... unsavory business. [He tips his head towards the IKEA totebag, which only barely contains a red box.] Put this together.

[Blade scratches his cheek and glances away. He's not used to being actively fretted over. Rather, he's dealt with a lot of that lately, but he always responds the same—looking uncomfortable and with the teeniest blush.]

... I won't. I can't die before surpassing my last life, anyway.

[If his stubbornness keeps him alive, that's fine. Better than... some other options.]

I hadn't considered a vacation. That isn't a bad idea. [Wait. He finally gives the IKEA bag a second look.] What's this?

[He shifts forward a little and tugs the side of the bag down. His eyes grow wide.]

—You're kidding. [Neuvillette never jokes. Blade's eyes shift from the box to the dragon's face.] Are you certain I can have this? It's worth thousands. I've only ever seen it once in person, at a convention.

[Even as he says it, though, his mind is racing. It'll be a challenge but oh so worth it...]

Yes, it is a gift, from me to you. Do not fret about the price. It took me a while to track down, and it was let go into my possession, on the condition that it - the kit, I suppose - must be built, instead of keeping it stored.

[He does not joke indeed, and he leans in to pick out the other cardboard cup from the carrier, which only has water, even if it had the cup cover and everything.]

I have seen pictures of the final product, but frankly speaking, I do not understand the stipulation. Can you explain?

[Blade stares at him for a moment longer, then lets out a slow breath and nods. He's dealt with expensive things before, toyed around with 3060s and other computer parts, but this is a whole other level. He sits back and takes a sip of his coffee, taking a moment to collect his words.]

There were only a few of these ever made. Under four hundred, if I remember right. And it's been twenty years now, so they're difficult to find unless someone kept this box in the attic somewhere.

Keeping this in pieces is a disservice. The challenge of putting together something so intricate is part of the experience. This box, [he says, placing his fingertips on it,] is a puzzle begging to be solved.

It's another way of making art with your hands. You can revere the tools, but a chunk of raw ore and a blacksmith's hammer doesn't inspire the same awe that a perfect blade does.

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