✨ INBOX: hotel caelum

[icyspicy]

𝖜𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗 🐙✨

summer

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ABOUT ME

Hello! This is very delightful, though I have no idea what I'm doing!

NOTE

Confused by the username? Good.

Message @summer

code | art

BIRTHDAY DIRECTORY QR CODE

NAME: Winter BIRTHDAY: December 21st FAV CAKE FLAVOR: Black Forest WHAT THEY WANT MOST FOR THEIR BIRTHDAY: To have a good time.

Comments

[venomnom]

Yes, they certainly do.

[Scholars . . . Researchers . . . Scientists.]

If your friend collects knowledge for the sake of it, what about you? Is the journey more important than the destination?

[icyspicy]

[ Not the sort of scientists who would, say, turn their kids into power rangers... ]

I guess that depends. Destinations can be important too, but insofar as my stay here is concerned, it's all about the journey. This whole place is a journey.

What about you? Are you the type of person who has their eyes on the road or where it's going?

[venomnom]

[Is it so exciting to discover things? What makes a journey so grand?]

Maybe somewhere in the middle. I won't go down a road that leads nowhere.

[icyspicy]

Well then. I respect a woman who knows what she wants.

[venomnom]

Is that what you think?

[Her answer sounded indecisive—insincere, even—to her ears. But maybe that was a want in and of itself.]

There are too many destinations that aren't worth the journey.

[icyspicy]

I think you know what is and isn't worth it, at least to you.

So what is worth it? What makes the journey worthwhile to you?

[venomnom]

[Does she know? Her gaze drifts aside, taking in the smoke permeating the air from a nearby dish.]

If there's anything to look at in the end.

[icyspicy]

Now, what could you possibly mean by that? Is looking all that matters?

[venomnom]

It would mean that there's something, as opposed to nothing.

We mercenaries may covet money, but we won't double-cross our contractor, even if the opposing side offers more. That's because there won't be anyone left if both sides are eradicated. The reward will become a deficit in the long run, and we will suffer in the end.

[icyspicy]

My, my. You have quite the interesting way of looking at things, don't you?

Might I ask how you feel about being a mercenary? I know it's a family business and all, but surely you must have some opinion.

[venomnom]

It's a job. I don't have much of an opinion.

[icyspicy]

Not even a little one? It's not like I'm going to tell your family if your thoughts are unkind.

[venomnom]

[Would he not? Even if he wanted to, would he have the chance?

An easy smile and an equally easy tone line her answer.]

It affords a life of luxury. What would there be to complain about? If anything, the most troublesome part is when my brothers lose their patience.

[icyspicy]

Ah, that's right, you're the eldest, aren't you? I'm sure that must be like herding cats, from time to time.

[venomnom]

[She nods. The eldest, indeed, though she wonders about the analogy.]

Have you herded cats before?

[icyspicy]

Not literal cats, no, but I do hold a... hm, supervisory position in my guild back home. Some of the younger recruits are quite the handful.

[venomnom]

Surely they're nothing you can't handle. What does your guild do?

[icyspicy]

[ He considers his answer a moment, like he's trying to decide just what to say. Whether this is before or after the great espresso machine heist doesn't seem to matter, because either way he finally says: ]

We're thieves. I hope that's not too off-putting.

[venomnom]

[If she blinks, it's only because she needs to. Rather than put off, she smiles wider.]

We're guests here. If the concierge has decided to treat us all the same, I don't see why I shouldn't.

[icyspicy]

I had hope that you of all people would understand. No need to get up in arms about anything unless you've been specifically paid to, hm?

[venomnom]

Exactly.

[The understanding is mutual, then.]

So what do you steal?

[icyspicy]

Whatever we're hired to steal, mostly. Artifacts, relics, magic items, secrets. The list goes on.

[venomnom]

You could have anything you want for yourself, yet you chose payment. Is it too cumbersome to trade what you've thieved?

[icyspicy]

Payment doesn't always have to come in the form of money. We have a very lucrative deal with a local innkeeper, for instance, in exchange for room and board.

[ "Local" innkeeper nothing. It's Sumina, who, with her world-hopping interdimensional inn, is not even close to local. ]

[venomnom]

Are inns really so costly?

[Room and board have never been a concern for her. Then again, he just said that it isn't all about money.]

Or is the innkeeper's silence a part of the agreement?