Audiences : julius kresnik

[cyclists]

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Week 1, Thursday pre-curfew

[cyclists]

[The message was a surprising one to say the least, and it's why Sol waits in the main hall until Julius arrives. They're not really sure what to expect, but they're seated in their chair at the front of the room and seem to be reading a book by the time Julius enters.

At least they look up upon hearing footsteps.]

I'll admit, I'm a little surprised to see you. [But it's not wholly a bad surprise.]

[autocatalysis]

[ He... actually looks a little chagrined by that, though not unsurprised. His posture's a little stiff, a little formal, but-

It's probably the most uncomfortable he's visibly let himself be, outside of the shrine area. ]

Are you. And would you care to answer me if I happened to ask why? Not that I can't imagine at least some reasons, but.

[cyclists]

You're not exactly the most enthusiastic and outgoing person here. [Just. Saying.] It's not a bad thing. I thought you would have stuck with Lune is all.

[autocatalysis]

No, I imagine I'm not. [ no offense taken... he's aware of how he generally. is. ] But I also don't see any reason to ignore one of you when you're both responsible for overseeing things here.

[ with a wry tinge to his tone: ] I'm not particularly sociable, but I'd like to think I'm not quite that rude.

[cyclists]

Then you're doing better than some of the others here who're still trying to figure out just how to feel about us. [Something wry enters their tone, but they sit up a little taller in their seat.] I mean I get it but at the same time it makes it a little harder to know how to really help.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions by now, too.

week 1, wednesday post-boxes

[cyclists]

[we'lL PLAY A LITTLE TIMEY WIMEY, IT'S FINE.

but lune is here underneath the sakura tree, the tea sitting on the tray beside them. they'll beckon julius closer, encouraging him to take a seat beside him on the bench]

You remembered.

Thank you.

[autocatalysis]

Admittedly, I was unsure of whether or not you were the sort who wouldn't accept any imperfections in their drink.

[ tea snobs, coffee snobs, wine snobs... it takes a moment, but julius eventually settles himself gingerly down on the bench like a particularly skittish cat.

is he just unused to being thanked? hm. ]

I'm not exactly the best at these sorts of things, after all. [ it's right there in his profile, even: being a domestic disaster. ] But I figured... The two of you were due some thanks, at least. For returning us what you did via the boxes, if nothing else.

week 2, tuesday

[cyclists]

[today it seems as though lune is seated underneath the cherry blossom tree, drinking some of that good old leaf water.

they'll gesture for julius to sit opposite them, on the blanket that's been spread out. even now, lune sits properly on their knees, oddly regal even though everything else about their words are fairly unbothered]

I certainly possess no objection. Come, let us chat.

[autocatalysis]

[ he still can't cook worth shit but if nothing else by god he's going to be able to at least make acceptable leaf water by the end of all this.

julius complies, settling down into the blanket with little fanfare. still, it seems that for all his habitual wariness- especially not helped by the pervasive feelings of separation anxiety, this week- he really only looks thoughtful, questioning, when he speaks his response. ]

... A chat, or a negotiation?

[ what is he to treat lune as? a potential employer setting out job and contract details, or an... acquaintance? offering advice? ]

[cyclists]

That would be entirely your choice.

[there is a laugh at that - because it would seem that regardless, lune will be acting a certain way, and julius is free to adjust as he sees fit]

I'm afraid I am but an old man who is set in his ways - but I will do my best to answer whatever you need of me.

[autocatalysis]

[ julius shifts, a little awkwardly. ]

I'm not exactly much good at small talk.

[ cordial, mild pleasantries, maybe, it isn't as if all of the lessons he'd once had went by the wayside, but that's not the same as being pleasant company and he's fairly aware of how he. isn't. generally.

he'd made the request and come here expecting something more businesslike, to be put to work, and here he's being offered a conversation instead. well. lune will be lune indeed. ]

And honestly, given how much we don't know, and which of it would even be the most important to know, it's hard to figure out where to start. Sol said something about the two of you looking into alternate methods of purifying the corrupted. Outside of the tasks given us in the... rifts, every week, is there anything we can help you two specifically with?

[cyclists]

On the contrary, I believe it is our position to help you - we are but overseers in these developments, after all. Guides who are meant to bring you from one point to others -

However the more pressing circumstance is that if there is something that you would like to know, and we are unable to give it freely, you may be able to request an exchange.

[a neat little sip of their tea at that, even if it's not the best tea in the world]

Week 2, Saturday

[cyclists]

[Today they're in the kitchen and rummaging around in the fridge? Hi Julius.]

A task to protect, huh? Where'd you get that idea? [It's not a no, it'll be provided if he wants, but call it a curious inquiry.]

[autocatalysis]

Would you believe me if I say that I've just been going a little stir crazy while everyone else apparently is managing to stumble into miraculous discoveries and dangerous adventures left and right while the rest of us are completely unaware?

[ ... ]

In any case. With this group's current dynamics, I'm honestly somewhat concerned about what might happen if certain lynchpins were to fall victim to the darkness- either via corruption or as a target. If there's something I can do to preclude having to find out what might happen in that case for as long as possible, I might as well try.

[ It's strategic, and definitely has nothing to do with how some buried portion of him is saying he should be trying to actively protect people. Definitely not. ]

[cyclists]

I'd believe it, yeah. A lot of the solutions you guys are getting are actually things we aren't even giving you. But we've been trying to say it's important to explore and clear the corruption that may be lingering around in these gates.

[But...fair.] So what you're asking for is a way to make sure certain problematic people will be shielded from corruption so they can't hurt someone. [...] You think we have people that would cause problems if they were a target?

[autocatalysis]

The rewards I'm aware of thus far have been ... interesting.

[ hey what the fuck is up with the vore scroll. ]

So the properties of those solutions are innate to them, and not related to whatever you two do? Is that why you've been telling us to look for them? [ so they can like, copy whatever magic is in them on a more permanent basis? because if the universe starts doing this nonsense again in a hypothetical future where they've solved this, they better not be starting from nothing again. ]

But mmm, yes. Minato, for one- Akane's attached to him, and for all her efforts when other people are involved, it seems she's rather biased when he comes up. Akane herself, too- just for how much of a busybody she is and how much she's managed to get out of everyone here, and regardless of her intentions she's managed to do some good. Shess, on the other hand, is one of our few relatively consistent points of reason, and I'm not keen on seeing that applied when twisted by the darkness.

[ just to name a few. he. hasn't asked for himself or his partner, huh.

... ]

Of course, since it's been well established that you don't need to be corrupted to try to kill, I have to wonder if a protection against someone getting hurt might not provide more use in the end- but I don't know how feasible that is.

[cyclists]

[What the fuck is a vore scroll??]

Something like that. Lune and I have come to realize that when things happen where the darkness interferes, we're not allowed to come over to that side and help. Kind of like what happens on Thursday nights. We're blocked from meddling for whatever reason.

...do you trust Akane's information? I've only talked to her once or twice. But I can see why you'd mention the others. Shess especially given how he operates, and Minato's sometimes a danger to himself. To see him potentially being a danger to others is...bad.

It is possible to get an item to protect someone who's targeted. But...for somethinglike that there has to be an equal exchange in return.

week 4, friday

[cyclists]

[lune will be in the boutique then, turning when julius approaches]

I do not know immediately how to care for a cat... but perhaps there might be some things in here that would become fun toys for them?

[autocatalysis]

[ well, that makes the two of them! let the misadventures begin.

but first. ]

... All that mystique and wisdom we debated over you having, and yet we find more and more things that you're regardless unfamiliar with.

[ Miki and Julius discussing an old man: clearly break week put to good use. ]

Well, since you decided on location- what ideas did you have in mind?

[cyclists]

Oh my - do you find me mysterious? How exciting.

[lune seems oddly proud of this assessment...]

For a cat... perhaps something warm and soft? Or something that might draw their eye or ear.

[autocatalysis]

That has to be something you do on purpose.

[ there's no reason for lune to be so proud of it otherwise??? but it's more bemused than anything, julius gingerly making his way over like he's more of a skittish cat himself than the ones from the gateway. ]

Warm and soft... I can't say I'm particularly familiar with which fabrics would retain heat better than others. I don't suppose you'd know where to start?

Week 4, Sunday

[cyclists]

[It's Sol this time that appears...in Julius's house? Sure, why not.]

Cat things...what kind of cat things are you looking for?

[autocatalysis]

Lune apparently covered the things like toys... so I suppose- more practical things? A collar, maybe? Or shots to prevent common illnesses, though I suppose they might already have had their vaccinations over there, it isn't as if this was a formal adoption of any sort; we don't have any records or paperwork...

[ why is he suddenly responsible for small thing and not so small thing help ]

I've never taken care of a cat before. I don't suppose you're any better at this?

[ oh, wait, that actually sounds kind of rude but,,, ]

[cyclists]

[It's kind of rude, but it's not like Sol can really disagree given there's a little laugh in response.]

I've never had a pet either, so this is new to me. They're probably vaccinated and stuff since they just kind of showed up, but I can do a collar and stuff like that. It'd help to know which cat belongs to which person.

[autocatalysis]

Two are following me, and I doubt that I'm the only one in that sort of situation. But good to know that we're both equally as bad at this, though you probably have a leg up on me in actually providing for them...

[ the village is going to become a cat sanctuary and the small and fuzzy pest population is going to be decimated. rip mice. ]

Actually, do you want to try taking care of one?