abraxaslogs | Smart men are always looking for loopholes.

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Smart men are always looking for loopholes.

WHO: Jesper Fahey and you!
WHAT: Catch-all for October
WHERE: Cadens, Nocwich, Horizon
WHEN: Throughout October (may add event things)
WARNINGS: Nothing right now.

[ooc: feel free to wildcard below or ask me for a custom starter on plurk]

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Jesper doesn't know that he would compare Crane to anyone other than Jan van Eck, but that is the worst person to be compared to. It might be a little unfair, he barely knows him, but maybe he's too used to sleek and slimy merchant types. Doctors in Ketterdam were rarely the kind that helped, at least not the put together ones like Crane. Everyone was on the take.

Really, the Crows would fit in perfectly with Gotham. They already know all about trusting nothing and no one, and they're champion criminals. But Jesper prefers the criminals who are fine with being criminals, the thugs who are just trying to make a living in a bad situation.

"I should have expected you'd be into hate sex. It's always the prudish ones."

Jesper's amused, relaxing his otherwise aggressive stance because flirting, liked or not, warms him up. "I know why I'm giving scheming face, why are you giving scheming face?"

Jesper and Hilda are two of a kind, friendly extroverts who could chat someone's ear off and people feel comfortable around strangely fast. He's seen a kin spirit in her since the welcoming committee officially began, but it usually is them spending time with other people involved or when they're working on something. Jesper likes to make time for his friends, he likes bonding with people.

The fact she's interested in guns just means this is going to be particularly fun for him. Jesper loves guns, that's why he has a very thorough range. He's added some more modern guns that the others have filled him in on, but there is a slant toward more classic guns, his preference.

"I like revolvers, those are the kind I have in Cadens." Jesper has a set at his hips now that would look remarkably similar to the ones he bought, but these are different. They are the originals, his mother's revolvers, and a discerning eye would be able to tell the difference. And that he mostly tried to mimic these ones.

Jesper flips one of his up now and offers it hilt first toward her. He can do all kinds of tricks with guns and it feels very comfortable for him. "They're six shooters, six shots, the barrel in the middle spins with each pull of the trigger. You can shoot them a few hundred yards away if you're real good, but they're mostly close combat." It's why he uses them when he's actually fighting.

"I like rifles too, they're longer distance."

It is still fun if I'm using powers!

[ Jesper protests because obviously the way he shows off is by using his powers. When Julie tried to explain all this to him he was intrigued, for certain, but there isn't an equivalent. He had a grand old time at her last Halloween party so he's always up for fun times with her. Julie could tell him to come over just to sit and do nothing, and he'd show up with wine she likes to do exactly that. She was his first real friend in Abraxas. His first family member.

The last time they carved he did cheat by using his powers and made a beautiful Julie face, but also made dicks and they left that on Dean's door, which is still one of the funnier moments in their friendship. Both trolls that they are.

He's taken his jacket off and his vest too since it looks like it's going to be gooey and Jesper cares deeply for the state of his clothing. It took him a while to get blood and goo off it during the rifts, he's not making that mistake again. He's straddled a chair close to the table so he can look at the pumpkins and at her drawing, frowning. ]

This Halloween holiday of yours is a big deal, huh? Is it one of the most popular?

[ Jesper's heard of Thanksgiving and Christmas but neither of them seem as big a deal as Halloween, at least not to Julie, and Julie's interests are of paramount importance to him. Ketterdam does have a holiday of a kind like Christmas in terms of gifts and family time, but nothing that he can think of that's spooky and odd and fun like this one. ]

Are we doing another costume party?

Hate. Sex. Prudish.

Only one is correct. He detests those unwilling to fight their tormentors. He hates insolence. And he loathes people who take themselves too seriously.

"It might surprise you but my face naturally looks like this."

Such is the truth. But now there is a spark behind his eyes, one missing when he does act prim and proper.

You hafta do the first one the right way. Then you can use powers on the next ones.

[ She smiles indulgently at him when she finishes her simple sketching, then turns the pumpkin on its side. She grabs a long, serrated knife and stands to compensate for her height, holding the pumpkin down with one hand as she cuts a hole in the top of it. ]

Now we open it up and scoop out all the goop inside. [ When she's done cutting, she uses the stem as a handle, opening the pumpkin to reveal the stringy, seed-filled inside. With a bowl at her side, she takes one of the large serving spoons and begins to scrape along the inside walls to loosen the pulp. ] We save the insides. Well, at least the seeds, we'll pick 'em out later, then we roast 'em. Back home, we used all the guts to make pie, but I don't know how to turn it from this to pumpkin pie fillin'. Not off the top of my head, anyway. So just the seeds this time.

[ As she keeps scraping, she tilts her head, thinking. ] So we had a couple real big holidays, but I'd say Halloween is maybe like, the second most popular of 'em. Hundreds of years ago, it used to be part of a religious holiday, but over time, people sorta combined it with pagan festivals until it was more of its own thing. Well, most of our religious holidays did that, stole a bunch from pagans. But Halloween especially. In America, where I'm from, Halloween is a big holiday 'cause there's so much you can do with it. Costumes and parties and decorations, Americans love any excuse to go all out, and since Halloween doesn't really have the religious part anymore, it's the only holiday that's really just about havin' fun.

[ She sits back down and turns the pumpkin around once it's empty, so that she can see where she's carving. ]

'Course, costumes are the most important part of the whole shebang. Why, you wanna do somethin' different?

His pistol trick is probably incredibly simple for someone as skilled as him. A move that could be done in his sleep, like something as easy as breathing. But Hilda has always been easily, genuinely impressed by those that she calls friends (or "easily impressed" if it's someone she doesn't spare much of a second thought to but needs to ply). Her eyes light up and she gives him a brief clap before reaching out to take the gun from him.

The apparatus in her hands is foreign to her and she regards it with a level of care that might seem surprising. It doesn't matter that everything around them here in the Horizon has magic in every thread or every breeze. It's something of Jesper's and the belongings of her friends will always be cared for like precious gems. Hilda makes a point to hold the barrel of the gun away from the both of them and towards the targets as she runs a finger over the grooves of the weapon.

The corners of her lips lift, teasingly as her eyes flit from the gun to his handsome face. "Jesper, you don't have to be modest. I know you're referring to yourself when you talk about being really good." And then a little more thoughtfully, "I thought all guns would have been for long distances. I don't know why considering I've never shot one. Bows and arrows are the closest things that we have in Fodlan so maybe that's why."

Nocwich weekend means one thing above all else: seeing friends from other factions. Not that Wilhelm has a whole lot of those lying around. Most fit comfortably into the category of acquaintance or, having a solid decade on him, occupy some other hard-to-define role. That puts Jesper easily on the top of his list, and not just because kissing is so much nicer in real life than in the Horizon. Though, he definitely considers that when they set plans for the weekend.

This evening, Jesper's talent for coaxing Wilhelm out of his comfort zone brings them to the hot springs. Luckily, the springs aren't too crowded at this hour, and they can find a nook to themselves.

"Shit, that feels good," he sighs as he lowers himself into the water. Contentment lights his expression.

Jesper likes hookups in the Horizon for a few reasons, the most obvious being how much easier it all is and how many positions and how creative it can get, but when it comes to spending quality time with someone, he does like to whisk his other faction friends to Nocwich. Wille is a chief example and Jesper loves the baths, so he settles into it with him.

"You have no idea, you lot have nice baths, we have the desert. Lots and lots of sand. You get out of a bath and need another one." Jesper likes Cadens in many ways and he prefers it to the other options, but he would happily get away from sand if he could. The thing is too that Ketterdam was a port city, he's used to water, he's used to a different kind of grime.

He reaches over to run his wet fingers through Wilhelm's hair. "How are things with you, my sweet Wille?"

"That so? I should've started with that, then. Is it too late to take it back and do that?"

Asked teasingly considering he's already sitting down in that chair thoughtfully placed there for him, clearly without any real intentions to get up and start again. Still - that doesn't mean that he's not going to add a flutter of eyelashes for good measure and for the sake of entertaining Jesper. Missing an opportunity like that is never a good thing, after all.

"You're in luck, because I have both of those things here with me." Hopes and dreams, that is, since he's already rummaging in his satchel for his journal. With it in hand it's just a matter of flipping past this page of scribbles and that one of illustrations of plants, buildings around Cadens, whatever else he's come across, but there's some explanation to go with that. "I was inspired by the scarves you have for sale the last time I came by here, by the way, and I was hoping to commission a couple of things from you if I could. That part was less flattery and more truth."

A few more pages get flipped by, and then he turns the journal around to show Jesper an outfit in a very rough sketch with mostly the colors filled in and some of the lace detailing. "What I had in mind would be close to a scarf but something longer... and maybe wider? So it could also be used as a shawl if unfolded now that we're heading into some slightly cooler weather around here or refashioned in a couple ways, and maybe with," with a fingertip tapped over the lace, "something like this as the pattern on it, if any of this makes sense."

A pleased smile makes an appearance on his face as his cheeks color just slightly at being called 'love'. It's not something he is used to yet, he's not sure he will ever be. "I'll have to thank her later than, too. This was nice of her."

He doesn't have a chance to dig into the delicious looking waffles before Jesper is handing him a gift. It's a beautiful instrument, but Wylan is more interested in listening to Jesper talk about something he is this excited about, it's adorable. "That's amazing, did you make it? You're going to spoil me with a collection of flutes here, aren't you?" Not that he's complaining, in fact, the opposite. It's taking a lot of willpower not to lean over and kiss him, no matter how badly he wants to.

"So you have resting scheming face? You and my boss have that in common."

Kaz is the kind of scheming face though, he's pretty certain he would beat Crane in that competition. You have to be a schemer to be the baddest criminal boss in Ketterdam. There are a lot of expectations that go with that. It is strange to refer to Kaz as his boss like old times, but amusing all the same.

"Don't snitch too much on Nocwich, Crane. They also have eyes and ears everywhere these days." Now that they're blending a little more often, he has no doubt that the spies have started to move into those spaces. Is that a warning though, for Crane's sake? Probably.

"I can make certain things, but breakfast, not something I've mastered yet." If he did he would probably eat too many waffles! He loves breakfast food. Jesper cooked for him and his father growing up but it was usually pretty pragmatic survival, and then Sam's taught him plenty but he has southern comfort style. Either way, he could cook Wylan dinner, but birthday breakfast, harder.

"I did make it, yeah, the metal isn't easy to get hands on, but you know me. I always find a way." Jesper also can make a lot out of a little when it comes to materials, he's learned that much since he started using his Grisha abilities all the time. Most of his creations are a blend of different materials that he's combined into perfection.

The enchantment he got someone good to do. Jesper's mostly relied on his own powers now that he uses them, he hasn't learned a lot of native magic. He reaches out to snag part of one waffle, winking since he's a thief and that's what he does, and he knows Wylan won't mind.

"It's weird celebrating a birthday here, isn't it? Timing's a bit off."

[ Jesper rolls up his sleeves all the way to really give himself the freedom to go disgusting, as he was absolutely right that is where this is headed. He cuts the head off his pumpkin, copying her, and scoops the insides the way she's doing it. He could do all of this faster another way but he agrees with her that sometimes doing it the normal way is fun. Especially when he's with Julie and it makes her happy. ]

Maybe you just mix the guts in with some sugar and bake it and that's it. It doesn't look very appetizing as is.

[ But Jesper will eat just about anything if someone hands it to him and it isn't rotten or full out bloody. Ask the Luna werewolves and Fey where he just wolfed down all the food he was handed without a moment of hesitation. And he's still skinny as a rail. The glory of youth (and the eternal energy burning of a Grisha).

He listens to her explain as he sticks his hands in to make certain he's gotten all the goop out successfully, unsure yet what he wants to try and carve. He probably can still do a decent job without his powers, he's good with a knife. ]

It'd definitely be my favorite, though 4th of July and Thanksgiving were fun. And delicious.

[ A pool party and a giant meal. Also things that Jesper loves. He's easy-going though, he likes most things. ]

Nah, just wasn't sure if there are different themes or if it's always costumes. I like costumes. There are more Summoned I can pretend to be this year.

[ Last time he dressed up as Geralt and Julie herself, which made her laugh a whole lot and that was all worth it. Obviously he could actually look like them if he wanted to, but making the costumes as tacky as possible was the important bit. He never takes himself seriously. ]

Dean would be funny and Himeka, Nanaue would be hard but I could pull it off.

He looks over the maps as his mind puts it all together into one cohesive picture that he memorizes often so that if he's ever without them, he still knows his way. He reaches out, tracing one range of mountains with a dry chuckle.

"When I first... Joined the dregs," he says, changing it from he first found himself alone in Ketterdam, even before the dregs. "I had to do this alone. I was fast and spry and I ran a lot of things for the dregs so I had to know every alley, every street, every hidey hole. Guess I should have studied the rooftops better than I did," he adds, a very dry joke as he taps at his leg.

He doesn't go still at the kiss, a definite change in how he is, but his cheeks darken all the same. He's not sure when that will stop but he doesn't mind because of the intimacies that come with it.

"We have no idea who will remain here or where they might be. I wouldn't want these to be wasted," he says, as if it's not about including Wylan at all. He's softening but there's still a dark iron core there he's terrified of letting go of.

"So it's practically back like the fold. Fair enough. If we did take a boat, we need to look into how our own city will react and would the army lash out if we returned with others. I know what we would do, but we have to know exactly what would happen if we did this."

His head tilts into the touch, force of habit and force of gravity. The effect Jesper has on him hasn't dimmed after a year of hook-ups that defy proper categorization, casual but not careless, loving but not romantic. If anything, the familiarity of it makes it easier to fall into.

"Fine," Wilhelm answers with a shrug and a grin. He's never known how to answer that question honestly. "I mean, I get to have a nice, hot bath every night."

If it wasn't obvious that he's just saying this to be a little shit, he pokes his tongue out at Jesper.

"Oh I'm never modest, and I don't count myself as what's usual with a gun. Being a Durast makes me a different level of gunslinger." Modest! What's that! Jesper can shoot as far as he wants to shoot, so there's never a limit in the distance. He doesn't even need to be able to see it, which is the insane thing. One of his first great tricks was pretend shooting someone by bending around a building and hitting them without having to look. So he's a big supernatural cheater.

"They are, it's just varying degrees, because of the way they work. Eventually bullets lose momentum, it just takes a while." They can shoot pretty far, he would say most people could handle it, but yeah, after awhile, it starts to sink, that's gravity for you. "Most of these can shoot a long way. Probably across the whole Horizon." That's why he has a variety of guns and targets! So people can blow off some steam, but it's safe in there.

"Watch this." It's true that when Jesper flips his guns, he makes it seem incredibly easy. He does it with the other one since he gave Hilda the second, his gun tricks so instinctive that they really are like breathing. He swings the gun has he turns abruptly and fires three shots in an immediate row, knocking targets off.

[ooc: basically the image up above but also example of his shooting.]

Nah, you hafta puree the guts and add a bunch of other spices. I mean, I've been tryin' to get better at bakin' for like, six months, so I should probably give it a shot, but I'm not like, a huge fan of pumpkin pie in the first place. Besides, even back home, I'm pretty sure most people just bought the canned stuff. Sam'll have one at Thanksgivin'.

[ She starts sawing into the pumpkin along the lines she's drawn, simple triangles for eyes and the nose. His choices of holidays make her snort, involuntarily. ]

There's a lot more fun to the outside for most of our holidays. Halloween, in a weird kinda way, is the purest "big" holiday, even though it's all about stuff that's considered like, sinful? Sure, there were some real hardliners who were against it, but most folks just made it like, a day to have as much fun as you can. Adults goin' around in costumes, every kinda party you can imagine. Half the day is built on the idea that you can just go door to door and demand candy from whoever's inside. And most of 'em give it to you!

[ Julie doesn't usually reminisce too fondly of her world, but it's clear on her face that this is one of the few things about it that she really loved. There's a soft crease at the corners of her eyes, and she smiles. ]

You woulda loved Cinco de Mayo. Mexican Independence Day. It wasn't really our holiday, but we had a lotta immigrants from Mexico, and they brought their celebrations with 'em. It's a big party day where tons of people like to eat Mexican food -- which is really good, it's a shame we don't have anyone here from Mexico -- and get drunk on margaritas all day. [ Which she has absolutely given him many of. ] And New Year's Eve.

[ Shaking her head, she switches knives. ] The party will have a different theme than last year, but your costume can be anythin' you can dream of. [ Nanaue gets a laugh, though. ] I can imagine you runnin' up to him, and he has his little handlebar mustache. Bob. Like a cartoon.

"Ooo look at those eyelashes." Jesper laughs, always glad that Claude is the type of person to play along. It's a trait of the Wheels, he's found, all the ones he's met have an unmistakable energy, usually one of mischief and playfulness.

Jesper takes the journal from him so he can see more clearly what he's talking about. While fashion isn't what he uses his gifts on the most, although he probably should because he loves it so much, this all seems easily within his range.

"Yeah it makes sense, should be doable. I'm sure it'll look fantastic on her." Since he assumes this is for Hilda, obviously. Can't see those colors without thinking of her and he knows Claude's feelings for her. "Have you two graduated from tension bickering to romantic gifts? If so, good, even if it means I have less of a shot with either of you." LESS of a shot. Jesper never gives up hope when it comes to pretty people, especially not in a polyamorous type of situation like he has.

Mostly he is testing the temperature of Hilda and Claude on their own. For all his flirting, they are his actual friends, so he cares. Sylvain's told him about their problems so he's saying this as casually as possible, not meaning to pry but a gentle prodding.

The rift drama itself was something he can hand wave into a compartment that he's done so many a times. It comes with the territory of having to go to a magical school that ended up skewed way later in his last few years and hence post. He killed one of the beasts, and for someone who is often one to boast about his everything, he keeps on the low about it. In fact, he's moved on (—debatable). Eliot is at Nocwich to deliver a gift, but he can get distracted along the way.

In his distraction, it includes officially getting lost. How does one end up at the hunting grounds of all places? It's called a bad sense of direction when he's too distracted in making sure the package is neatly in high quality wrapping paper he found ~~stole~~ from one of the Throne mantels decorative enough in their fanciful ways. It means taking a step forward and ending up ignoring the sign that states said hunting ground. Or the local asking if he wants a weapon, and a slight 'alright your funeral' look when he's past the line. He nearly all but clutches the neat package to his chest when he hears a sound off to the side and it becomes clear where he's at.

"Nope." He all but starts to back up when he finds someone with a familiarity that means he's probably met them, but not truly? In the middle of halfway into entering the hunting grounds and halfway scooting out of there, he still has time to casually stop by and ask the other tall individual in the radius, "Hm. Have I met you?"

Truly. It's a sort of intuition. He's good with people.

"I would have liked to meet that Kaz Brekker. Not that I don't desperately love the one I met." Jesper and Kaz met at the right time, and he wasn't even the city yet he believes. He was found pretty quickly by Kaz after he showed up, having fallen into his addiction almost immediately. "We would have had fun being terrors together." Before Kaz became the very serious leader of the pack rather than one of the runners.

He smiles when he sees Kaz's blush and caresses his reddened cheeks with his fingers. He likes to do that as a silent acknowledgment of what he thinks is absolutely adorable. They've done some dirty things together and Kaz still blushes. So cute.

"I think the Free Cities would obviously want the Summoned to come here, more of a threat leveled against Thorne if they did, but they wouldn't be able to come on boat easily." No, Thorne's group would have an easier time going to Solvunn, but then they could use the path he knows now from Solvunn to the Free Cities. Cadens is land locked. He doesn't know for absolute certain this is true, they could surprise them and be willing to send the Summoned back, but since they want the war it's more likely they'd gobble up the Summoned.

"We'll always be weapons to them." Frustrating but true. "This all started because most of the Summoned fled Thorne and came here and to Solvunn. They were probably sooooo giddy about it." And then they started Summoning too. "I know in my heart we're going to need an escape plan."

"Brat," Jesper says on a laugh. He follows that impudent tongue and gives him a kiss because he can before settling back into the water comfortably.

"I thought maybe you'd have more to share now that you're on the fancy Conclave. All official like." Of course Jesper heard. He hears everything. He knows everything! Jesper is the best information gatherer probably in this whole group, he just hides it behind his smiles and careless attitude.

He would never try to be on the Conclave nor should he. Knowing Jesper, he'd do things just as a lark and make trouble. He wouldn't be able to help himself. He can't be trusted to take anything seriously.

"It's true, we've had to adapt to just about everything, yeah? Though it's a bit easier for us, this is our usual level of technology."

The Free Cities reminds him a lot of Fjerda, and that's not a compliment, but in terms of military and technology first. That makes Thorne Ravka, also not a good thing, so they're all trying to deal with it the best they can. Jesper can still acknowledge that it's more work for the futuristic people to go backwards than those of them used to this type of lifestyle.

"The people from the spaceships have it the worst. I'm surprised they haven't gone mad by now." Shepard, Garrus, and now Finn and Kirk. To be able to explore an entire galaxy and then be grounded here, it must be very confusing. "That would be fun, though. Exploring the stars. Going to different planets. I've already told Shepard that I'd have joined her crew in a second if I could."

"You'll have to keep practicing, if Nina ever shows up she'd going to need to be kept in waffles." He grins at Jesper, if he's good at dinner, he should make Wylan dinner one night.

He's still inspecting the flute as he talks and listens to Jesper's explanation. With a smile he holds it up to his lips and plays a few notes, the sound is clear and lovely. "Thank you, Jesper, truly. This is beautiful." He puts it down gently laying a hand on Jesper's arm in thanks. The last time Jesper had gifted him a flute he had kissed him, and although Jesper had returned the kiss, it had felt reluctant and almost like he was placating him. He didn't want to make that move again.

"It's weird celebrating a birthday in general. I can't really remember the last time I did." He can. He was eight.

Another quick grin from Claude in regards to lashes, and then it's to wait for Jesper to consider the possibilities of the sketch. He absently drums a couple fingertips against the table, half-watching some passersby eying what's for sale before they stop at a stall nearby. First, he assumes, since that interest was too much to be idle, though his attention's pulled back to the other man when he speaks.

"I'd think it would." Less confirmation about it looking good on her and more of an inside joke with himself in knowing it will, really, and there's no small amount of amusement in his voice while saying so. It's a relief to hear it's possible and he trusts Jesper to see it through in what's created, mostly because he knows the man has far more experience in creating things than anyone else around.

But that's also stalling, really, when it comes to addressing the latter part of what was said and not without a grin at Jesper's disappointment over having less of a shot. It's casually asked enough, at least, that even Claude won't loop back into his usual circular tendencies when it comes to answering since a real answer's likely deserved here. "We've known each other for too many years for the bickering to ever stop given it's a mainstay of our relationship, but I'd like to hope it's changed varieties slightly from what it's been as of late.

"And," holding up a finger as though he's about to impart the most important thought of all to that, "I probably have a lot of gifts to make up for some of it, so I think we're off to a good start here though I wouldn't say no to any other recommendations you have to go with it."

Lack of modesty had never rubbed Hilda the wrong way like it might have other Fodlan nobles. Modesty might have had it it's time and place but she and Jesper were friends. And seeing her friends excel in something that they were able to proudly talk about warmed her heart. Additional powers or not, it's still something worth celebrating. At least that's in Hilda's opinion.

The thought of shooting a projectile, whether that be a bullet or an arrow, so far that it could very well fly through all of the Horizon seems almost impossible to fathom in Hilda's mind. Which begs the question of course how big the Horizon is. Questions for another day perhaps, or something maybe to never be explored at all. There's more important things at hand right now. Namely, watching Jesper demonstrate his shooting skills.

It's hard to describe the way he handles the gun as anything short of an extension of himself. Hilda's eyes practically shine and sparkle watching him letting out a little cheer and some very enthusiastic clapping at the display. "That was amazing, Jesper!" she gushes with laughter as she grasps a hold of his arm to grin up at him, "Have you always been able to do that too? Or did that take some practice?" She knew about his powers, the things he could create so effortlessly. Why not have this be an extension of that?

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Smart men are always looking for loopholes.

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baths

YAY hi

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Dee forgot Jesper is good at cooking la la blending it in lol

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(accidental) hunting grounds.

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