[ Oh hey, it's seraph uncle! Perfect timing, the young robot just got done wrangling a certain feline down off of the kitchen cabinets. (Don't ask how he got up there; Astro's got no idea.) ]
[ It doesn't take long for Astro to comprehend what Dezel is telling him. Calm quickly gives way to joy and excitement, and the bright, happy smile on his face can be felt across the connection, an intense yet gentle pulse of warmth. ]
R-Really? With you?
[ It's not so much that he wants to leave his shack as he just wants a proper home, to not have to be alone. And now, it looks like he's finally going to have that again. ]
How soon?
[ Luckily he won't have a whole lot to pack, just the clothes on his back, the stuff on his desk that he's working on, and a blanket. And also his kitten, of course. ]
[ Oh boy, he's going to have his own room? Not that it particularly bothered him that all he got was a little cubby to sleep in back in Hamegg's, but still...!
The excitement bubbling over on his end lessens just a little at Dezel's last statement; making way for some attentiveness. ]
[Rose's old room seemed the best room to use, due to both its location and since Rose had no want to ever use it.]
The first is that there will be six of us in the house with you there. Aside from you and I, two are human - Sorey and Rose. The other two are seraphim - Edna and Mikleo - and unless you share an alignment with one of them, it will be like when you first met me. The lot of you will have to bond so they'll become visible to you.
[Potentially, that could make things somewhat awkward for a bit and thus is something Astro needs to be okay with.]
[ Ah, that's right... Dezel had mentioned that there were other serphim in Verens. Astro wasn't aware that they'd been living under the same roof as him, though. ]
So, I won't be able to see everyone at first...
[ That's gonna be strange, but Astro can get used to it; he's learned to just roll with things by now. He sends over the mental equivalent of a nod. ]
Alright, I'll keep that in mind.
[ Even so... That sounds like quite the busy household. Maybe not as chaotic as Hamegg's, he assumes, but even if it was, he's sure he'd grow to love it. He's dealt with both extremes in regards to how quiet or busy a home can be, so he's ready for whatever this new arrangement has to throw at him.
There is just one thing that Astro is wondering... ]
I-It's okay with everyone if I bring him along, right? I really don't wanna leave him here...
[ There's a brief image of a familiar black kitten, whom is currently perched at the end of the bed and eyeing one of the jewelry chains dangling off of Astro's desk. He's clean and well-fed and happy; Astro's been taking good care of him...although judging from how his fur is all ruffled, he's clearly been getting into mischief today. ]
[Astro will get the equivalent of a mental smirk from the seraph as the image of the kitten crosses over. Good to see that the kid's been taking good care of the little furball, but then again Dezel didn't expect less.]
We've already got two messenger birds, two rats, one munchkin kitten and a penguin in the house. One more pet running about isn't likely to make much of a difference as long as it's not a dog. Mikleo's afraid of dogs.
I'll need to make sure both you and your kitten are well cleaned up before you move in, however. Just a precaution.
[He rather doubts Astro himself will bring in any pests, since what would bugs want with a machine? Not that they can't hitch a ride, but still. Chances are low. The kitten is another matter and even if he's well groomed at the moment, another bath and check over wouldn't hurt.]
[ He's doing his best, Dezel, but he's still got no idea why this creature likes to pounce at the broken jewelry on his desk or chase lights across the wall. Or how in five seconds he goes from napping on the pillow to climbing up on top of the kitchen cabinets. Cats are truly magical and mysterious creatures.
This place sure sounds like a full house... Astro gets the feeling he's really going to like it here, even with a few invisible housemates. ]
I guess it's a good thing Trashcan isn't here.
[ Still, though... afraid of dogs? Spiders and stuff like that, he can understand. Dogs? Not quite so much. But hey, he won't question it. Everyone's got stuff they're afraid of, even if it may seem silly to others. ]
Don't worry. I'll make sure we're both cleaned up before we arrive.
[ He probably can't do a perfect job, given what he has to work with right now, but he won't be tracking dirt anywhere or anything. ]
["Trashcan"? ...ah, right. That robot dog Astro mentioned sometime back.]
More than likely.
[Also Dezel would explain Mikleo's fear of dogs, except it doesn't seem entirely rational to him, either. It's the barking that startles the water seraph and unnerves him, yet Dezel stands by the idea that it's Mikleo's unchecked anxiety that makes dog bark at him in the first place. Sort of a vicious circle thing that would be best handled on Mikleo's end, but ah...not like that hasn't already been discussed within the household. It's just one of those things that will sit unresolved for who knows how long.]
Good. That just leaves the other thing I mentioned...
The others don't know what you are, yet. I didn't feel it was my business to divulge that information, as it's yours to give.
[Also Dezel had promised to keep Astro's secret to himself and thus far, that's exactly what he's done.]
[ A wave of relief - and trust - comes from Astro's end. He didn't think Dezel would be the type to go around telling anyone of Astro's real identity, but he's grateful all the same. ]
I think I'm gonna wait until everyone's used to me first, before I say anything about that. I don't want anyone to get scared or upset or anything.
[ He remembers Cora's look of shock all too well; it was the last thing he saw before he passed out and woke up in Empatheias. Of course, that's not going to stop things from coming out prematurely if things go awry, but he'll handle things as they come. Secrets are only worth so much to stay kept, after all. ]
[Granted, Dezel did tell Rose that Astro is different in some way, but not how. His wording also more than insinuated that said difference had caused issues in the past, which Dezel expects Rose to handle with some level of care.]
It's doubtful anyone will be upset or scared. They are keeping me in the house with them, after all.
[That whole "angel of death" thing in mind.]
Expect surprise and curiosity at most when they do find out.
[ Did any of these people deal with robots before? Either way, maybe that anonymous person was right. Maybe he really won't have so many issues here as he did back home. It'll sure take some getting used to, though. but if Dezel's offering him a home in the first place, it can't be that bad.
Until then, he's brimming over with anticipation...and questions. ]
I'm not sure I've ever met any of the others before. What're they like?
[ Is there proper adult supervision in this household, or is there someone running around with a chainsaw while someone else shoots grapes off of someone's head with a crossbow? ]
Sorey's about as pure-hearted and a selfless as a human can get. A little naive at times, but good with a sword and well versed in our world's history, as well as crazy about exploring ancient ruins. He was raised by seraphim, which is why he's spiritually resonant. He's also the Shepherd in our world, the "chosen one" who's supposed to rid the land of darkness. The rest of us have pacts with him in order to help with that.
Rose is Sorey's Squire and just as resonant as he is. At home, she's the leader of a merchant guild called the Sparrowfeathers. She's a savvy business woman who knows how to seek opportunities, but not someone to pick a fight with, either. She can also be something of a tease and has a penchant for getting into trouble at times.
[There's a brief pause while Dezel decides whether or not he wants to add anything personal to that, then:]
Rose and I are partners; I've been her guardian seraph for some time.
[ Well, color him impressed. He didn't know he'd be moving in with someone so important. A chosen one ridding the land of darkness sounds like something out of a fairy tale, or maybe some high fantasy video game. In fact, he's pretty sure he Toby played a game or two like that back home.
There's a little familiarity when Dezel describes Rose, though; the orphans were all troublemakers in their own ways. Toby himself had been known to get himself into a fix every now and then, a trait that hadn't quite carried over to Astro for some reason. Being a tease, though... Well, Cora certainly gave him his share of jabs, some more well-meaning than others.
For all his attentive listening, though, he is especially attentive when Dezel mentions being a guardian seraph. Astro has known the wind seraph for a long time now, and despite how grumpy he can be, the notion of him being a guardian just seems right somehow, especially given how he's treated Astro thus far. He can only imagine what he could mean to Rose, especially considering that he's her partner as well.
So, along with the rest of those little reactionary pulses of emotion while he listens, there's a warm beat of happiness and fondness at that. He won't really voice anything, though; he doesn't want to make this awkward for Dezel. ]
They sound really nice. I can't wait to meet them.
[ That of course leaves him wondering about Edna and Mikleo, the other two seraphim. He may not be able to see them, but surely they're just as nice as Sorey and Rose seem so far, right? ...right? ]
[As Dezel is rarely one to sugar coat or come up with niceties for no reason, it's safe to take his word there at face value.]
As for my fellow seraphim...
Mikleo is a water seraph and the youngest among us, about Sorey's age. He's a little naive as well and just as crazy about history and ruins as Sorey, but he tends to be more cautious and has more restraint. He and Sorey grew up alongside one another; the two of them may as well be attached at the hip. He's also the least likely to get himself into or cause trouble.
Edna's element is earth. She's a tiny little pixie of a seraph and the oldest of us here, though she doesn't look it. Just don't ask how old. That's asking to get jabbed with the parasol she carries around. Edna doesn't much like humans and doesn't take well to immaturity. She's also blunt, sarcastic and snarky. The two of us had our issues with each other at home, but now she's just as much family to me as the rest.
[Astro may be new to the Glenwood household, but to Rose that's all the more reason to make sure he feels included. Yet choosing an appropriate gift isn't quite so easy as it is for her traveling companions without knowing much about him or his interests. She doesn't want to get him some generic doodah or socks or such... That leaves a present personalized from her side.]
[Which is why come Shepmas Christmas morning, Astro will find a couple smallish packages waiting for him. The first is a cat care package, including a number of toys both store-bought and handmade, the latter being easy to tell apart by the uneven shape and threads sticking out. Inside the second is one of Rose's simpler daggers with an embroidered charm of sorts attached to the sheath. The note included offers an explanation: "Welcome to the family, Astro! Dezel mentioned you've had a bit of a rough time in your life. Hopefully these will make things easier if similar circumstances find you again. The charm is inscribed for luck and protection, but I'd be happy to teach you how to defend yourself just in case. ~Rose"]
[The day after Dezel speaks with Sorey about marrying Rose, the seraph seeks Astro out, going to the kid's room while he's in during the evening and knocking on his door. Tucked under Dezel's arm are a couple of books from the library.]
Hey, kid. It's Dezel. Something I want to talk with you about if you've got a minute.
[ It doesn't take long for a response to happen; Astro heads for the door the moment Dezel announces himself and opens it up. Behind him, Servo is busy napping on a pillow, completely sprawled out. He's very comfortable, shh, don't bother him.
Astro glances only briefly at the books Dezel has with him before opening the door a bit more and heading over to his bed, waving Dezel inside. ] Sure. What is it?
[Dezel nods a little at the invitation to enter before stepping into Astro's room, sparing Servo a glance with a brief, but fond expression. He then moves further in, walking over to the bed to take a seat on the edge of it, setting the books down to one side of him. Should Astro happen to catch a glimpse of the book on top, he'll see it's a field guide to various sorts of insects.]
Close the door and have a seat. I've got a couple of things I'd like to ask you, but before I do that, there's something I want to tell you about. It needs to be kept a secret, though. Right now, only Edna and Sorey know, and I've told Sorey he can let Mikleo know what's going on.
[ A secret? This already sounds serious. Astro closes the door quietly, making his own way over to the bed and sitting down. ]
I-I won't tell anyone, promise.
[ Servo rolls over and stretches a little bit, but otherwise doesn't make a sound. Astro, meanwhile, looks slightly anxious. Did something bad happen? He really hopes that's not the case. ]
[Dezel nods, feeling he can trust Astro well enough. He can tell the idea of something needing to be kept quiet is making the little robot anxious, however, so he lets a small, fond smile show through in a effort to calm him.]
It's an important matter, but not bad news.
[There, he pauses just a moment to prepare himself to share the news. This is, after all, something he's a little nervous about himself.]
[ Almost immediately Astro calms. So it's nothing bad. Alright, he can relax. Still, what's so important that Dezel would ask him to keep quiet-
...give him a sec. He needs to process this. ]
Y-You're...gonna ask her to marry you?
[ He has to make sure he heard this right because holy cow. He'd known the two were rather close (it was impossible to miss, honestly), but he hadn't actively considered this sort of thing a possibility. There's a hint of an excited smile as his eyes go wide, a sourceless blue glow filling the room while other colors seem to brighten alongside his excitement. ]
But this is where I need to ask you for a favor. Edna's offered to make Rose's engagement ring for me, since her abilities as an earth seraph would make it easy for her to shape gemstones. I'll need help obtaining the necessary materials for the ring, though.
[Much in the same way he needed help acquiring his new top hat, since being invisible makes transactions with the locals difficult.]
[ Astro nods enthusiastically. Dezel hardly needs to ask; the young robot is more than willing to lend a hand. ]
Yeah, no problem! I'll help you get anything you need.
[ Granted, Astro is just as eager to help anyone if they ever need it. This, however, is a very special case, for a special occasion, and some very special people. Anything Dezel needs for this, he'll find, and he'll find the best that he possibly can.
Only thing is, he's an awful liar and he knows it. If anyone bugs him about this, it'll be tough to cover it up. It's a good thing he brings home plenty of weird odds and ends all the time anyway; maybe the others won't question it too much. ]
Thank you. I'd like to go out as soon as tomorrow if possible to start checking with various suppliers to see what we can get. It won't be cheap, but I've got plenty of funds set aside to handle the cost.
[Unknown to Rose, Dezel hid away part of his "muskrat money" a while back and has since been continuing to build up that stash further little by little, both with additional money from other tasks and from his regular job as an Enforcer. Yet as he still manages to pay for his share of everything around the house and has loaned Rose money when needed, it's likely no one really suspects the wind seraph is successfully hoarding a fairly impressive stash of sylvs.]
[Picking up one of the books at his side, one about gemstones, Dezel flips it open to a section he's marked with a slip of paper to show Astro a picture, part of a color plate page.]
This is called watermelon tourmaline. Edna suggested tourmaline as stone that might have more meaning and personality than just a diamond. It comes in several colors, but this green and pink... It would be meaningful to Rose, so it's what we'll be looking for. This one is cut already, obviously, so we'll be seeking quality uncut stone so Edna can shape it as she sees fit.
[ Astro makes a mental note to ask Dezel about that book on bugs later, but still sits up just as intently when he sees the one about gemstones. He's wondering just what Dezel has in mind. Granted, he'll probably get a few odd looks from the merchants in question (slightly scruffy kids and huge sums of money don't usually happen at the same time), but he's willing to endure it. Being an errand runner for Dezel is honestly the least he could do to repay him for his kindness, but even then he'd happily help him with something for a momentous occasion such as this.
Of course, then Dezel opens up the book, and... Ever seen Astro utterly amazed before? No? Well, here you go. ]
Whoa. I-I've never seen anything that pretty before in my life... [ Or Toby's life. Not even the flowers he's seen hold a candle to that. Edna sure made a great suggestion.
The colors in his room intensify in response to his awe, and - oddly enough - the air takes on the subtle scent of a lush forest. Yeah, Astro's impressed. He's never seen a rock so pretty. ]
[Dezel allows himself a very small, brief chuckle at Astro's reaction. Even a seraph like him who spends most of his time being less than social and perhaps far too serious can appreciate the endearing wonderment of the kid he took under his wing.]
I know you will, and I'll be with you to act as another set of eyes. Rose has an eye for precious metals and gemstones, since she's a practiced merchant back home, so I do want to find the best materials possible. Between the two of us, we should manage.
[Though he has yet to decide what the body of the ring should be made out of... Gold? White gold? Platinum? Dezel figures that perhaps once they have the stones needed, they can then determine the type of setting.]
Aside from asking your help with Rose's ring, though, there is one other thing...
How would you feel about taking a commission for a piece of jewelry or an accessory I'd like to have made for a friend of mine?
[It certainly hasn't escaped Dezel's notice all this time that Astro likes collecting bits of scrap, discarded jewelry included, and fiddling about with it to make other things.]
[ That Dezel has such faith in him is a huge boost to Astro's confidence. He knows how gruff and blunt the seraph can be most of the time, which makes moments like this all the more meaningful.
It also makes that request stand out a lot more, and Astro finds himself abruptly pausing, mouth hanging open for a speechless moment. ]
...me?
[ A bright blue spark of energy hops off his arm. He's definitely taken by surprise here. It's no secret that he's worked with stuff for some time now, including fixing up old jewelry (and making new pieces when what he had to work with was beyond salvaging). He's never been asked to actually make anything for anyone before, though, so this is certainly a first. ]
[Dezel's smile softens somewhat at Astro's response. Lords, he really has ended up with a soft spot for this kid, hasn't he? Closing the book in his lap, he sets it aside and picks up the book on insects. ]
I have a friend named Estelle who lost someone important to her recently - her boyfriend, Joshua. He was sent home. Estelle's a cheerful, sweet girl and she'll be fine in the long run, but I still want to do something for her.
[Opening the book to a marked page, Dezel shows it to Astro. There are several illustrations of dragonflies there. ]
She's been fascinated by insects since she was a child, so I thought perhaps a pair of barrettes decorated with dragonflies might be good. One with her name on it, the other with Joshua's. Dragonflies are beautiful insects, especially in color, since they have almost a metallic sheen to them in some cases, so I think they would look good if done right.
[ Astro eagerly scoots closer when he sees Dezel pull out the book on bugs. While he does know about organic life, his knowledge isn't very extensive or in-depth, as his world is so polluted that most of that organic life is missing or gone. Being as naturally curious as he is, any opportunity to learn is already tempting enough. That Empatheias is so full of life and he has companions so knowledgeable is a nice bonus.
He studies the page on dragonflies with great interest, the soft glow growing a little stronger. They're certainly beautiful creatures; he can definitely make some equally pretty barrettes based on them. After a moment, he nods. ]
Dragonfly barrettes, huh? Sure, I can make some of those.
[ Is he confident or just excited to do so? Probably both.
That said, though, he keeps eyeing the book before the glow fades a bit, and he glances back up at Dezel. ]
Um... Is it okay if I borrow this?
[ Because, y'know. Reference material! Just in case! And maybe reading through the rest of it too because bugs. ]
[Dezel's memory of his own past may not be so great, but he does well enough with the more immediate past, including what he's learned in Verens. So he does recall what Astro's said about the lack of animal life in his own world and surely that would mean that insect life is scarce, as well. Maybe even non-existent. Having the book will be important to the task. It also couldn't hurt as an educational tool to teach the kid a few things about insect life in general.]
[Closing up the book, but leaving the page marked, Dezel hands it over to Astro.]
When we go out to find and buy the materials for Rose's ring, we can also pick up what you need for the barrettes. Make a day of it, if you want. Then, once we have everything, I'll pay you for your time and trouble before you get started.
[ Astro's eyes light up - literally, even, but only subtly and for no more than a moment - as Dezel hands him the book. He holds it with great care, with the room warming and the air getting notably clear. They might as well be outside right now. If Dezel looks closely enough, he may even see a brief pulse of blue light somewhere on Astro's chest...but it's gone as quickly as it appears.
When Dezel presents the offer for the outing, Astro gets excited again. The notion of being paid passes right by him; he hears it, but it's the first part of the statement that gets him excited. ]
Really?
[ Oh, boy, now you've done it, Dezel. ]
Sounds great! I know a lot of great spots to look for parts and stuff...
[ Now would probably be a good time to tell him if you intend to get him proper materials instead of letting him hunt old parts, Dezel. He's been fixing up old parts (both in his own world and this one) for so long, his idea of ideal materials miiight be a little skewed... ]
[Hmm, interesting, that faint blue glow that seems to come and go now and then, centered in Astro's chest. Dezel can only guess it has something to do with how he works as a machine.]
Heh. Sure, kid. But we won't be scavenging parts for your project, not unless you happen to find something really unique to include. Rather, I'll be paying for proper materials so you don't have to use secondhand scrap.
Astro's smile falters as he processes Dezel's words, making way for something a bit more sheepish. Right. Of course; Dezel wouldn't have him rummaging through the scraps behind jewelry stores, would he? ]
Heheh, sorry... I guess I'm so used to working with old parts that I forgot that was an option.
[ He casts a brief glance at his desk. Aside from the metal bits and bobs that he's toyed with for making various gadgets, there's jewelry as well: some old and tarnished and bent out of shape, but some he's polished up and fixed. There were, of course, some that were beyond completely saving, so he salvaged what he could and left the rest in a pile to melt down later. (How he melts them down is a mystery that should probably be left unsolved.) ]
I've never really bought anything from the jewelry stores, but I've seen a lot of really neat materials up for sale all the time. I bet we can find something really good for me to use.
[ So, even if it's not for scrap-hunting, having gone through the stores' discarded junk does mean that Astro has a fairly good idea of where to search. After all, if what they toss out is still good, imagine what their "good" stuff looks like!
Either way, a certain little black kitten has woken up. Having decided that he's had enough of naptime and wants attention, Servo begins making his way across the bed (and across Astro's lap) to Dezel. Sup, windy guy. You look like fun to shed all over. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
[Voice] (12/10 Forward Dated)
Got something to talk to you about, kid.
[This call is long overdue, really, but then again so was making the inquiry before it. Things just sort of...got held up by various circumstances.]
[Voice]
Huh? What is it, Dezel?
[Voice]
[A pause so Astro can take a moment to recall what Dezel means by that.]
Offer's on the table, kid. If you want out of that shack, get packed. You can move in with me and my family at the Glenwood house.
[Voice]
R-Really? With you?
[ It's not so much that he wants to leave his shack as he just wants a proper home, to not have to be alone. And now, it looks like he's finally going to have that again. ]
How soon?
[ Luckily he won't have a whole lot to pack, just the clothes on his back, the stuff on his desk that he's working on, and a blanket. And also his kitten, of course. ]
no subject
Within the next few days. We're almost done prepping your room.
There are just a couple of things you should know before you fully agree to this, however...
no subject
[ Oh boy, he's going to have his own room? Not that it particularly bothered him that all he got was a little cubby to sleep in back in Hamegg's, but still...!
The excitement bubbling over on his end lessens just a little at Dezel's last statement; making way for some attentiveness. ]
Sure, what is it?
[ He's all ears! ]
no subject
[Rose's old room seemed the best room to use, due to both its location and since Rose had no want to ever use it.]
The first is that there will be six of us in the house with you there. Aside from you and I, two are human - Sorey and Rose. The other two are seraphim - Edna and Mikleo - and unless you share an alignment with one of them, it will be like when you first met me. The lot of you will have to bond so they'll become visible to you.
[Potentially, that could make things somewhat awkward for a bit and thus is something Astro needs to be okay with.]
no subject
So, I won't be able to see everyone at first...
[ That's gonna be strange, but Astro can get used to it; he's learned to just roll with things by now. He sends over the mental equivalent of a nod. ]
Alright, I'll keep that in mind.
[ Even so... That sounds like quite the busy household. Maybe not as chaotic as Hamegg's, he assumes, but even if it was, he's sure he'd grow to love it. He's dealt with both extremes in regards to how quiet or busy a home can be, so he's ready for whatever this new arrangement has to throw at him.
There is just one thing that Astro is wondering... ]
I-It's okay with everyone if I bring him along, right? I really don't wanna leave him here...
[ There's a brief image of a familiar black kitten, whom is currently perched at the end of the bed and eyeing one of the jewelry chains dangling off of Astro's desk. He's clean and well-fed and happy; Astro's been taking good care of him...although judging from how his fur is all ruffled, he's clearly been getting into mischief today. ]
no subject
We've already got two messenger birds, two rats, one munchkin kitten and a penguin in the house. One more pet running about isn't likely to make much of a difference as long as it's not a dog. Mikleo's afraid of dogs.
I'll need to make sure both you and your kitten are well cleaned up before you move in, however. Just a precaution.
[He rather doubts Astro himself will bring in any pests, since what would bugs want with a machine? Not that they can't hitch a ride, but still. Chances are low. The kitten is another matter and even if he's well groomed at the moment, another bath and check over wouldn't hurt.]
no subject
This place sure sounds like a full house... Astro gets the feeling he's really going to like it here, even with a few invisible housemates. ]
I guess it's a good thing Trashcan isn't here.
[ Still, though... afraid of dogs? Spiders and stuff like that, he can understand. Dogs? Not quite so much. But hey, he won't question it. Everyone's got stuff they're afraid of, even if it may seem silly to others. ]
Don't worry. I'll make sure we're both cleaned up before we arrive.
[ He probably can't do a perfect job, given what he has to work with right now, but he won't be tracking dirt anywhere or anything. ]
no subject
More than likely.
[Also Dezel would explain Mikleo's fear of dogs, except it doesn't seem entirely rational to him, either. It's the barking that startles the water seraph and unnerves him, yet Dezel stands by the idea that it's Mikleo's unchecked anxiety that makes dog bark at him in the first place. Sort of a vicious circle thing that would be best handled on Mikleo's end, but ah...not like that hasn't already been discussed within the household. It's just one of those things that will sit unresolved for who knows how long.]
Good. That just leaves the other thing I mentioned...
The others don't know what you are, yet. I didn't feel it was my business to divulge that information, as it's yours to give.
[Also Dezel had promised to keep Astro's secret to himself and thus far, that's exactly what he's done.]
no subject
[ A wave of relief - and trust - comes from Astro's end. He didn't think Dezel would be the type to go around telling anyone of Astro's real identity, but he's grateful all the same. ]
I think I'm gonna wait until everyone's used to me first, before I say anything about that. I don't want anyone to get scared or upset or anything.
[ He remembers Cora's look of shock all too well; it was the last thing he saw before he passed out and woke up in Empatheias. Of course, that's not going to stop things from coming out prematurely if things go awry, but he'll handle things as they come. Secrets are only worth so much to stay kept, after all. ]
no subject
[Granted, Dezel did tell Rose that Astro is different in some way, but not how. His wording also more than insinuated that said difference had caused issues in the past, which Dezel expects Rose to handle with some level of care.]
It's doubtful anyone will be upset or scared. They are keeping me in the house with them, after all.
[That whole "angel of death" thing in mind.]
Expect surprise and curiosity at most when they do find out.
no subject
[ Did any of these people deal with robots before? Either way, maybe that anonymous person was right. Maybe he really won't have so many issues here as he did back home. It'll sure take some getting used to, though. but if Dezel's offering him a home in the first place, it can't be that bad.
Until then, he's brimming over with anticipation...and questions. ]
I'm not sure I've ever met any of the others before. What're they like?
[
Is there proper adult supervision in this household, or is there someone running around with a chainsaw while someone else shoots grapes off of someone's head with a crossbow?]no subject
Sorey's about as pure-hearted and a selfless as a human can get. A little naive at times, but good with a sword and well versed in our world's history, as well as crazy about exploring ancient ruins. He was raised by seraphim, which is why he's spiritually resonant. He's also the Shepherd in our world, the "chosen one" who's supposed to rid the land of darkness. The rest of us have pacts with him in order to help with that.
Rose is Sorey's Squire and just as resonant as he is. At home, she's the leader of a merchant guild called the Sparrowfeathers. She's a savvy business woman who knows how to seek opportunities, but not someone to pick a fight with, either. She can also be something of a tease and has a penchant for getting into trouble at times.
[There's a brief pause while Dezel decides whether or not he wants to add anything personal to that, then:]
Rose and I are partners; I've been her guardian seraph for some time.
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heToby played a game or two like that back home.There's a little familiarity when Dezel describes Rose, though; the orphans were all troublemakers in their own ways. Toby himself had been known to get himself into a fix every now and then, a trait that hadn't quite carried over to Astro for some reason. Being a tease, though... Well, Cora certainly gave him his share of jabs, some more well-meaning than others.
For all his attentive listening, though, he is especially attentive when Dezel mentions being a guardian seraph. Astro has known the wind seraph for a long time now, and despite how grumpy he can be, the notion of him being a guardian just seems right somehow, especially given how he's treated Astro thus far. He can only imagine what he could mean to Rose, especially considering that he's her partner as well.
So, along with the rest of those little reactionary pulses of emotion while he listens, there's a warm beat of happiness and fondness at that. He won't really voice anything, though; he doesn't want to make this awkward for Dezel. ]
They sound really nice. I can't wait to meet them.
[ That of course leaves him wondering about Edna and Mikleo, the other two seraphim. He may not be able to see them, but surely they're just as nice as Sorey and Rose seem so far, right? ...right? ]
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[As Dezel is rarely one to sugar coat or come up with niceties for no reason, it's safe to take his word there at face value.]
As for my fellow seraphim...
Mikleo is a water seraph and the youngest among us, about Sorey's age. He's a little naive as well and just as crazy about history and ruins as Sorey, but he tends to be more cautious and has more restraint. He and Sorey grew up alongside one another; the two of them may as well be attached at the hip. He's also the least likely to get himself into or cause trouble.
Edna's element is earth. She's a tiny little pixie of a seraph and the oldest of us here, though she doesn't look it. Just don't ask how old. That's asking to get jabbed with the parasol she carries around. Edna doesn't much like humans and doesn't take well to immaturity. She's also blunt, sarcastic and snarky. The two of us had our issues with each other at home, but now she's just as much family to me as the rest.
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Merry Christmas!
- Colette
[And the letter will come with a parcel full of cute kitty things like two toy mic and three jingly balls for the cat to play with!]
12/25
Look, she was scrambling okay?]
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[Which is why come
ShepmasChristmas morning, Astro will find a couple smallish packages waiting for him. The first is a cat care package, including a number of toys both store-bought and handmade, the latter being easy to tell apart by the uneven shape and threads sticking out. Inside the second is one of Rose's simpler daggers with an embroidered charm of sorts attached to the sheath. The note included offers an explanation: "Welcome to the family, Astro! Dezel mentioned you've had a bit of a rough time in your life. Hopefully these will make things easier if similar circumstances find you again. The charm is inscribed for luck and protection, but I'd be happy to teach you how to defend yourself just in case. ~Rose"]3/17 [Action]
Hey, kid. It's Dezel. Something I want to talk with you about if you've got a minute.
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Astro glances only briefly at the books Dezel has with him before opening the door a bit more and heading over to his bed, waving Dezel inside. ] Sure. What is it?
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Close the door and have a seat. I've got a couple of things I'd like to ask you, but before I do that, there's something I want to tell you about. It needs to be kept a secret, though. Right now, only Edna and Sorey know, and I've told Sorey he can let Mikleo know what's going on.
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I-I won't tell anyone, promise.
[ Servo rolls over and stretches a little bit, but otherwise doesn't make a sound. Astro, meanwhile, looks slightly anxious. Did something bad happen? He really hopes that's not the case. ]
What's going on...?
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It's an important matter, but not bad news.
[There, he pauses just a moment to prepare himself to share the news. This is, after all, something he's a little nervous about himself.]
...I'm going to ask Rose to marry me.
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...give him a sec. He needs to process this. ]
Y-You're...gonna ask her to marry you?
[ He has to make sure he heard this right because holy cow. He'd known the two were rather close (it was impossible to miss, honestly), but he hadn't actively considered this sort of thing a possibility. There's a hint of an excited smile as his eyes go wide, a sourceless blue glow filling the room while other colors seem to brighten alongside his excitement. ]
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Yeah, I am. And hopefully soon.
But this is where I need to ask you for a favor. Edna's offered to make Rose's engagement ring for me, since her abilities as an earth seraph would make it easy for her to shape gemstones. I'll need help obtaining the necessary materials for the ring, though.
[Much in the same way he needed help acquiring his new top hat, since being invisible makes transactions with the locals difficult.]
Think you can give me a hand with that, kid?
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Yeah, no problem! I'll help you get anything you need.
[ Granted, Astro is just as eager to help anyone if they ever need it. This, however, is a very special case, for a special occasion, and some very special people. Anything Dezel needs for this, he'll find, and he'll find the best that he possibly can.
Only thing is, he's an awful liar and he knows it. If anyone bugs him about this, it'll be tough to cover it up. It's a good thing he brings home plenty of weird odds and ends all the time anyway; maybe the others won't question it too much. ]
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[Unknown to Rose, Dezel hid away part of his "muskrat money" a while back and has since been continuing to build up that stash further little by little, both with additional money from other tasks and from his regular job as an Enforcer. Yet as he still manages to pay for his share of everything around the house and has loaned Rose money when needed, it's likely no one really suspects the wind seraph is successfully hoarding a fairly impressive stash of sylvs.]
[Picking up one of the books at his side, one about gemstones, Dezel flips it open to a section he's marked with a slip of paper to show Astro a picture, part of a color plate page.]
This is called watermelon tourmaline. Edna suggested tourmaline as stone that might have more meaning and personality than just a diamond. It comes in several colors, but this green and pink... It would be meaningful to Rose, so it's what we'll be looking for. This one is cut already, obviously, so we'll be seeking quality uncut stone so Edna can shape it as she sees fit.
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Of course, then Dezel opens up the book, and... Ever seen Astro utterly amazed before? No? Well, here you go. ]
Whoa. I-I've never seen anything that pretty before in my life... [ Or Toby's life. Not even the flowers he's seen hold a candle to that. Edna sure made a great suggestion.
The colors in his room intensify in response to his awe, and - oddly enough - the air takes on the subtle scent of a lush forest. Yeah, Astro's impressed. He's never seen a rock so pretty. ]
I-I'll find you the best one I can!
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I know you will, and I'll be with you to act as another set of eyes. Rose has an eye for precious metals and gemstones, since she's a practiced merchant back home, so I do want to find the best materials possible. Between the two of us, we should manage.
[Though he has yet to decide what the body of the ring should be made out of... Gold? White gold? Platinum? Dezel figures that perhaps once they have the stones needed, they can then determine the type of setting.]
Aside from asking your help with Rose's ring, though, there is one other thing...
How would you feel about taking a commission for a piece of jewelry or an accessory I'd like to have made for a friend of mine?
[It certainly hasn't escaped Dezel's notice all this time that Astro likes collecting bits of scrap, discarded jewelry included, and fiddling about with it to make other things.]
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It also makes that request stand out a lot more, and Astro finds himself abruptly pausing, mouth hanging open for a speechless moment. ]
...me?
[ A bright blue spark of energy hops off his arm. He's definitely taken by surprise here. It's no secret that he's worked with stuff for some time now, including fixing up old jewelry (and making new pieces when what he had to work with was beyond salvaging). He's never been asked to actually make anything for anyone before, though, so this is certainly a first. ]
Y-Yeah, of course! What d'you need me to make?
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I have a friend named Estelle who lost someone important to her recently - her boyfriend, Joshua. He was sent home. Estelle's a cheerful, sweet girl and she'll be fine in the long run, but I still want to do something for her.
[Opening the book to a marked page, Dezel shows it to Astro. There are several illustrations of dragonflies there. ]
She's been fascinated by insects since she was a child, so I thought perhaps a pair of barrettes decorated with dragonflies might be good. One with her name on it, the other with Joshua's. Dragonflies are beautiful insects, especially in color, since they have almost a metallic sheen to them in some cases, so I think they would look good if done right.
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He studies the page on dragonflies with great interest, the soft glow growing a little stronger. They're certainly beautiful creatures; he can definitely make some equally pretty barrettes based on them. After a moment, he nods. ]
Dragonfly barrettes, huh? Sure, I can make some of those.
[ Is he confident or just excited to do so? Probably both.
That said, though, he keeps eyeing the book before the glow fades a bit, and he glances back up at Dezel. ]
Um... Is it okay if I borrow this?
[ Because, y'know. Reference material! Just in case!
And maybe reading through the rest of it too because bugs.]no subject
[Dezel's memory of his own past may not be so great, but he does well enough with the more immediate past, including what he's learned in Verens. So he does recall what Astro's said about the lack of animal life in his own world and surely that would mean that insect life is scarce, as well. Maybe even non-existent. Having the book will be important to the task. It also couldn't hurt as an educational tool to teach the kid a few things about insect life in general.]
[Closing up the book, but leaving the page marked, Dezel hands it over to Astro.]
When we go out to find and buy the materials for Rose's ring, we can also pick up what you need for the barrettes. Make a day of it, if you want. Then, once we have everything, I'll pay you for your time and trouble before you get started.
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When Dezel presents the offer for the outing, Astro gets excited again. The notion of being paid passes right by him; he hears it, but it's the first part of the statement that gets him excited. ]
Really?
[ Oh, boy, now you've done it, Dezel. ]
Sounds great! I know a lot of great spots to look for parts and stuff...
[ Now would probably be a good time to tell him if you intend to get him proper materials instead of letting him hunt old parts, Dezel. He's been fixing up old parts (both in his own world and this one) for so long, his idea of ideal materials miiight be a little skewed... ]
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Heh. Sure, kid. But we won't be scavenging parts for your project, not unless you happen to find something really unique to include. Rather, I'll be paying for proper materials so you don't have to use secondhand scrap.
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Astro's smile falters as he processes Dezel's words, making way for something a bit more sheepish. Right. Of course; Dezel wouldn't have him rummaging through the scraps behind jewelry stores, would he? ]
Heheh, sorry... I guess I'm so used to working with old parts that I forgot that was an option.
[ He casts a brief glance at his desk. Aside from the metal bits and bobs that he's toyed with for making various gadgets, there's jewelry as well: some old and tarnished and bent out of shape, but some he's polished up and fixed. There were, of course, some that were beyond completely saving, so he salvaged what he could and left the rest in a pile to melt down later. (How he melts them down is a mystery that should probably be left unsolved.) ]
I've never really bought anything from the jewelry stores, but I've seen a lot of really neat materials up for sale all the time. I bet we can find something really good for me to use.
[ So, even if it's not for scrap-hunting, having gone through the stores' discarded junk does mean that Astro has a fairly good idea of where to search. After all, if what they toss out is still good, imagine what their "good" stuff looks like!
Either way, a certain little black kitten has woken up. Having decided that he's had enough of naptime and wants attention, Servo begins making his way across the bed (and across Astro's lap) to Dezel. Sup, windy guy. You look like fun to shed all over. ]