Private Conversations

[dominioned]

The confessional before you is ornate and well maintained, ebony colored wood embellished with the visage of two angels. A jet black curtain separates the confessional from the rest of the Church, offering a surprising degree of privacy to any eavesdroppers nearby. Unlike the rest of Krakow, the inside is dimly lit by a small light bulb securely attached to the ceiling which emits a faint red light. While the atmosphere isn't exactly cozy, it is private.

A smooth voice calls out to you once you've sat down, familiar enough to identify the speaker despite the partition between you.

"Welcome welcome. I take it something is on your mind?"

We're in a museum now, Harry.

Comments

[dominioned]

[ From deeper inside the greenhouse, a familiar voice calls out.]

Follow the roses. [ Guess we're doing the magical projection in here as well. Welcome to the formerly locked, soon to be locked again greenhouse. The air in here is warm and balmy, the kind that's the bane of any frizzy hair in existence. The flowers and various plants seem to love the weather however, many colorful (and poisonous) species on display. Following the colorful roses will lead to Rembrandt tending to a particularly vibrant bush of all white roses. ]

I'm no longer a priest you know, that profession was one of my more fleeting ones.

[bawcock]

[ u m



ok, this sure is happening now

He follows the roses with mild trepidation, suddenly wondering if Rembrandt completely misunderstood and thought this was a date. At least this isn't, like, a path of rose petals??? Though, a path with roses is barely better. He is partially relieved when he sees that, apparently, Rembrandt happens (?) to be tending to them.

Please do not turn around and give him roses, Rembrandt. ] I did know the ex- part, but the other bit is news to me. You never mentioned having any other professions.

[dominioned]

[ Remrandt turns around and offers him a rose, congratulations Erik has won the Bachelor! You thought this was a murdergame but its actually a reality tv show.

Actually no. All that happens is Rembrandt turns to face him with his customary smile. ]

Of course. I'm not what many would call young, so I've had more than several professions.

[bawcock]

[ Slaps the rose right out of his hand!!

Wait, nevermind, that doesn't happen either! What does happen is he is once again marginally relieved to find himself rose-free. This is probably safe...? ]

Really? I'd never guess it from looking at you. [ Uh, maybe? How old does Rembrandt look anyway? Eh, whatever. ] I think you know what's coming next though. What else have you tried? Personally, I'd put my money on gardener. That, or you just like pruning roses.

[dominioned]

[ def safe, trust. ]

Why thank you, I consider it one of my many talents. [ He looks to be in his late twenties, younger thirties! Def not an old man by looks at least. ]

Let's see: teacher, scholar, detective, circus performer, singer, cook...the list goes on, so I shant bore you. But no, I've never been employed as a gardener, though I have experience in the trade as you can see.

[bawcock]

[ oh ok when you put it that way—of course!! ]

Whoa! H-hang on a sec, you really did all of that? [ Like, this is Sylvando level bullshit here?? Congratulations, you distracted him from his worries. ] I can't believe it...

—Wait, why the heck were you a circus performer?

[dominioned]

Of course. [ Thankfully he won't fall back into an old catchphrase, at least now. ]

Ah, it was related to my boss prior to the Lady. It was one of my more interesting jobs, I must admit.

[bawcock]

[ It's okay, dude, you're one hell of a butler. ]

I'll bet, seems like they lead some interesting lives. [ Hmm, to talk about Sylvando or not? ... eh, why not. ] Y'know, you're not gonna believe this. But one of my traveling companions is actually a circus performer.

[dominioned]

[ And that's exactly why he's going to gesture with his hand and conjure a table and two chairs into existence. Completely normal things, as are the wisps of shadow that linger on the furniture before fading. ]

Was he? What acts did he perform? [ Sitting down like this entire scenario is normal. ]

[bawcock]

[ He is strangely not surprised by this, though he is impressed! Magic's dope but also complete hogwash. ]

Memory reads, teleportation, and now magical chairs. You're either a genie or one crazy witch. [ Sitting down anyway. ] All kinds, by the way. The Great Sylvando can do it all, then after he's done knocking your socks off he'll call you "darling" with a wink and a smile.

[dominioned]

I am neither of those things. [ Though he looks quite pleased with himself. ]

Ah, one of those types. Well whatever it takes to win over the audience, hm?

[bawcock]

You'd think so, wouldn't you? Except he never turns it off. Every day, every night, never skipping a beat.

[ Gonna go ahead and slouch in the chair like the poor-mannered, bad-postured thief that he is. ] It's impressive, and over time I started to realize it really is just who he is.

[dominioned]

...how exhausting, yet it's something I also know well. [ He sighs anyway with a small shrug of his shoulders. ]

I take it your Luminary isn't anything like him?

[bawcock]

They couldn't be more different if they tried. [ However!! He gestures at the air. ] That might be enough about my companions though. Now I think it's time for you to dish—

How about the Lady? How's she compare to your old boss?

[dominioned]

When you say it like that, it sounds like a demand. [ Crossing his legs he adjusts his gloves with much care. ]

The lady would have discounted him if they ever met, as many others did. And she would largely have been wrong. And although there are many differences between the two, they do have one defining characteristic in common: their willpower.

[bawcock]

If you want, I could try saying "please" next time. [ Not a great reaction. Maybe he'll try to avoid being that direct next time, if only 'cause it seems like it puts Remmy off.

Thinking, thinking. ] Sounds like you're saying she's the type to estimate people based on first impressions. Which, in my experience, doesn't always end well.

[dominioned]

Next time, then. [ Folding his hands loosely on the table. ]

That and....he was rather young. The foolishness of youth and so on, it has it's advantages as well as it's drawbacks. For instance, she certainly doesn't believe any one of you can breach both the castle wall and her traps. [ He tips his head with a small smile. ]

[bawcock]

[ There's a good chance he won't do it next time either.

He's curious about what "rather young" means in Rembrandt's eyes but, well, when you're called out... gotta say something. So he smiles sheepishly, lifts his hands up, and shrugs. ]

If you want to get specific, it wasn't one of us. Every good thief needs a partner in crime. Go it alone and you're bound to get caught—not that having a lookout did much for me. [ Zangetsu did his best though. ]

[dominioned]

Ah, so he was the other one I sensed beyond the wall. A curious choice in partner. [ Yeah he sounds like he agrees with Erik there, #lonewolf lyfe. ]

[bawcock]

[ He's about to ask who Rembrandt wouldn't find curious, but— ]

Wait, sensed? Is that how you've been catching me all this time?

[dominioned]

[ Smile. ]

Yes. There's little point in hiding when walls and other camouflage mean nothing to me.