001 ♞ video ♞ open to both courts ♞ backdated to late afternoon on the 11th

[noflying]

[ The locket is in Jake's hand, fingers loosely curled around it. His other hand has a hand-rolled cigarette, while a small group of fairies seems to have settled on Jake's chest. Several of them are still faintly glowing red; one of the ones still glowing rather fiercely flicks a hot coal.

Jake immediately snuffs the coal out with the butt of his revolver. ]

What've I told you about that?

[ The fairies chitter, and the cowboy takes a drag off his cigarette before blowing the smoke in their faces. The red glow diminishes, at least one fairy fading back to its normal color entirely. It immediately shuffles away from the other Ainsel, pointing at Jake's locket. ]

Hm?

[ Turning his head, he seems to realize that the locket's recording. Oh. Well then. Raising an eye at the locket, as if daring anyone to comment on his actions, Jake places the cigarette back in his mouth and reaches up to adjust his hat. ]

Anyone else been hearing about treasure from these folk?

Comments

voice

[erythristic]

Treasure, dear? Can't say that I have, they've been rather more keen on drawing blood than talking about gold.

voice

[noflying]

Dear?

[ w h a t ]

The imps I just shoot.

[erythristic]

I've taken a liking to evisceration, but we're all different.

Would you prefer "handsome" instead?

[noflying]

You always this forward?

[ He sounds a mix between amused and genuinely curious. ]

[erythristic]

I can be a blushing maiden if it suits the atmosphere better.

[but generally speaking yes she is.]

[noflying]

I don't know what would suit this atmosphere.

[erythristic]

Let's phrase it another way -- do you have time?

[noflying]

Nothing but, around here.

[ Seriously someone send him a stagecoach to ambush or something. Settling down here in fairyland feels wrong. ]

[erythristic]

Then one can play at innocence and denial until it grows too much to bear. That's an indulgence in the game of love, one that too many think of as a necessity. Never misjudge your available time.

[noflying]

[ He doesn't flinch. Not quite. Both Alice and Ella had died, though, and love -- well, he had loved Alice. He could have loved Ella. But a quick tumble, that's not love. ]

Speaking from experience, then?

[erythristic]

I don't divulge information like that at the first meeting.

[or ever.]

Please forgive me for leaving your curiosity unsatisfied.

[noflying]

I reckon I'll live.