[ JACKSON HEART ]

[socialcapital]

[ THIS HEART WILL HAVE CWS FOR:

- CANON-TYPICAL VIOLENCE
- SLIGHTLY ABOVE AVERAGE FOR CANON-TYPICAL VIOLENCE
- CHILD ABUSE
- SLAVERY
- DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE ]

Comments

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

[He lowers his voice to a level easily drowned out by the market's noise, and leans closer.]

Later, please feel free to say that I was an overly friendly customer that was more interested in propositioning you than buying your wares. For the record, I am not -- but that will explain the majority of what curious eyes might see.

Give me your hand?

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

He looks confused at what that could be a leadup to, but even though he's slightly wary Satin doesn't SEEM like a threat to him right now, and also, no bad person would ever give him tasty grapes probably, so after a brief pause he nods and holds his good hand out.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

[His own hands and body shielding them from outside eyes, he places a heavy, ripe sunrise fruit and a perfectly teardrop-shaped sacred ruby berry in Firuz's hand.]

Will these do?

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

He startles, looking down at them, then up at Satin, then down at the fruits, then despite his best efforts, starts to tear up immediately. Oh no. Oh no emotion.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

You are strong, my prince. You have endured, and worked, and the end is almost in sight. I cannot speed these years for you -- if I could, I would. But I will bear them witness, and look on with pride at all you are doing, and all you have done.

[He leans closer still, taking the fruit and tucking them safely out of sight in the folds of Firuz's sling, equally careful of whatever wounds lie within.]

You will accomplish what you will. And it will be by your own hands, and no other.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

He truly just has no emotional defense for whatever is happening right now, wiping his face hurriedly with his good hand and trying to regulate his expression again. He does a little croak when he tries to speak, decides not to try that again, and just nods quickly.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

As for my question, I believe the answer is, "Those will only do if you add the rest of the grapes in, too."

[And he fills Firuz's good hand with the second heavy bunch of grapes, as well as the half he'd been nibbling on.]

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

He sniffles and nods again. He is going to eat all this fruit while crying. Sometimes we just have days like that!!

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

[He clears his throat, clearly performative, and returns to normal volume.]

Well. Consider it.

I'll take this as a memento.

[It's not even a good bowl. Arguably, it's the worst of the lot, almost sure to split and crack the moment it's wet and warm. But he tucks it away inside his jacket all the same.]

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

You got the Bowl!

Firuz nods and lets him take it, squeaking out a really teary pitiful version of what must be a typical Thank You For Your Patronage! type phrase.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

Soon.

[And with that, and a nod, he heads back to the start of the rough dirt path, and the white gravel paths of the garden beyond.]

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

The sun hasn't moved back in the garden; everything is as it was, with not a single leaf or petal out of place.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

[He takes the bowl, placing the other sunrise fruit and sacred ruby berry inside it, and sets it in the first of the gate's indentations.]

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[socialcapital]

It settles there and glows a silvery gold, like Umbra's solar anima does.

Re: [ ROUGH DIRT ]

[demonicdomestic]

Three to go.

[And he heads to the stone path.]