[ .................There's a long pause, audio only, of silence on Somnus' end when Hijikata switches to video. (Indeed, this is the first time he's received a video call. What do.)
Somehow after a few extra seconds that pass, he manages it. Somnus' visage appears on screen. It had been a far grimmer time, then, but Somnus' expression is just as severe as it had been back then. Perhaps that serious look is simply how his face is naturally. ]
[Hijikata is starting to assume that Somnus simply has a case of "resting serious face", which still might intimidate a shyer person... luckily he isn't shy at all.]
Yeah. We tested it out, and it worked well - the ghost recoiled from me after I used it -, but since I didn't know it was for you I wanted to ensure that the commissioner doesn't go around mistreating the ghosts.
[That does reassure Hijikata a great deal. However he feels like he can't let the first statement stand!]
It's not like I care for them, it's just that... well, I'm a death mage. It's my job to make sure that they're in line with... well, everything. You know.
[Hijikata nods, apparently better able to accept this formulation.]
Well, I'm glad we could sort this out. I've got to ask, though: what prompted your commission? The incident by Celliwig after the summer solstice? Or something else?
[If there have been ghost attacks within Camelot that's something he'll want to investigate.]
[ At his question, Somnus' expression settles into something more reserved. ]
I had requested it assuming autumn would bring death. The anthropophagi came to mind. Nothing more, nothing less. [ By coincidence, it had-- what with the fall equinox incident and its fallout... not that he'd received the potion in time for it. A pause, and he continues, cryptic: ]
Someone gave the Unseele-hopeful the rituals to summon such creatures.
[That vaguely rings a bell... where did he hear that word before? He also heard of the Unseelie before, but doesn't really have a good grasp of what they are - dark fae and their allies in general, or a specific criminal organisation..? These are important questions, but he'd prefer not to discuss them on the phone.]
Say, would you be available to meet me in person? It doesn't have today if it's inconvenient, but maybe some time soon?
[Hijikata looks distracted for a moment: two ghosts just approached him, seemingly very agitated in a mix of distress and positive excitement.]
Apologies, you're on the phone, but-- we saw your fliers--
One moment.
[He's grateful and excited that his recruitment is garnering interest, but it seems like he'll have to interrupt his planning with Somnus for now. He turns back to the screen.]
Sorry, something came up - I'll call you back when I have my schedule sorted out, alright?
[It actually ends up being not hours but days before Hijikata calls Somnus again. More ghosts approached him after the call ended, and they had many questions and demanded his full attention. An initial assembly at his campsite turned into the formation of the Yuureisengumi, Camelot's (presumably) first ghost patrol, and besides getting them organised Hijikata had to attend to other matters too, such as an expedition to the Forest of the Felled.
Now, though, he is content with the current state of affairs... apart from what he just saw on the QuestBoard, but that's precisely what he wants to set up the meeting up for. Ideally they can kill two birds with one stone! He makes it a video call again so Somnus can immediately see who he's talking to (maybe he feels a little bad for his initial deceptive scaremongering from last time). He's so eager to head out that he fires off his suggestion without much preamble.]
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you, but let's make up for the lost time. How about we meet up at the pumpkin patch this afternoon?
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no subject
Somehow after a few extra seconds that pass, he manages it. Somnus' visage appears on screen. It had been a far grimmer time, then, but Somnus' expression is just as severe as it had been back then. Perhaps that serious look is simply how his face is naturally. ]
Aye, I know the Maiden Rinea.
She had told you of my request for a concoction?
no subject
Yeah. We tested it out, and it worked well - the ghost recoiled from me after I used it -, but since I didn't know it was for you I wanted to ensure that the commissioner doesn't go around mistreating the ghosts.
no subject
You care greatly for dead. This concoction is not for those peacefully lingering.
[ This implies it's just a potion for those souls who may be nefarious and more malevolent. ]
no subject
It's not like I care for them, it's just that... well, I'm a death mage. It's my job to make sure that they're in line with... well, everything. You know.
no subject
no subject
Well, I'm glad we could sort this out. I've got to ask, though: what prompted your commission? The incident by Celliwig after the summer solstice? Or something else?
[If there have been ghost attacks within Camelot that's something he'll want to investigate.]
no subject
I had requested it assuming autumn would bring death. The anthropophagi came to mind. Nothing more, nothing less. [ By coincidence, it had-- what with the fall equinox incident and its fallout... not that he'd received the potion in time for it. A pause, and he continues, cryptic: ]
Someone gave the Unseele-hopeful the rituals to summon such creatures.
no subject
[That vaguely rings a bell... where did he hear that word before? He also heard of the Unseelie before, but doesn't really have a good grasp of what they are - dark fae and their allies in general, or a specific criminal organisation..? These are important questions, but he'd prefer not to discuss them on the phone.]
Say, would you be available to meet me in person? It doesn't have today if it's inconvenient, but maybe some time soon?
no subject
[ --Is his answer, affirming and to the point. ]
Name your time and place.
no subject
Apologies, you're on the phone, but-- we saw your fliers--
One moment.
[He's grateful and excited that his recruitment is garnering interest, but it seems like he'll have to interrupt his planning with Somnus for now. He turns back to the screen.]
Sorry, something came up - I'll call you back when I have my schedule sorted out, alright?
no subject
[ --Is his response, and Somnus will formally end the call there. ]
no subject
Now, though, he is content with the current state of affairs... apart from what he just saw on the QuestBoard, but that's precisely what he wants to set up the meeting up for. Ideally they can kill two birds with one stone! He makes it a video call again so Somnus can immediately see who he's talking to (maybe he feels a little bad for his initial deceptive scaremongering from last time). He's so eager to head out that he fires off his suggestion without much preamble.]
Sorry it took me a while to get back to you, but let's make up for the lost time. How about we meet up at the pumpkin patch this afternoon?
no subject
Very well, Death Mage.
[ He'll be at the pumpkin patch at the agreed upon time. ]