ARISE.

"Yes," he follows his confirmation with a nod. "There is a way back home, but only if the Stars wish it. You, yourself can't will yourself to return when you please." It was part of his job to release as much information as he could. Sugar-coating and telling people that everything was going to be alright would only give false hope.

"I've never claimed to be human in the first place," Aurelius defends himself cheerfully. Though he doesn't offer any more elaboration just yet. "Can you at least tell me what you'd prefer to drink? I'd like to be a good host, and that means catering to my guest's preferences."

"Would offering you information be enough of a draw to keep you? You're obviously new, so more intel couldn't hurt. Barring that, I could simply pay for your time in the native currency. It's not the first time I've hired freelancers in this city."

Golden eyes twinkle brightly; he's already pleased with this conversation, no matter where it leads in the end.

    ❝ I'm not someone who can simply be bought. Nor a guest for you to appease. ❞ his tone was acidic, that hint of hostility flashing again like a venomous snake's bright colors. it was grating that jinwoo could not simply let his aura free to frighten the man away, but it was for that exact reason ( his diminishment, his frustration ) that the offer of information was... tempting.

    but jinwoo was not a dog to be heeled. the thought of giving in to such an assumption that he could be bribed or won over by trivial things made his pride snap and snarl, drove him to step forward and lean just that little bit closer to let the frigidness in his voice hit harder.

"A feint." Her opponent was fast, but she was no slouch either. How many enemies had she felled? Plenty that had wielded such underhanded tactics. When you fought the same type of attackers over and over again then you eventually would become able to see those tactics used by others.

The sound of steel clanged. Acheron had yet to draw her blade, but she positioned the scabbard so that she knocked away the dagger while attempting to knock the young man away with the katana's full length behind her. His presence had entirely disappeared for a moment, certainly, but her reflexes were honed and bolstered by her life of battle and her Emanator status.

But it also spoke to just how strong that blade she was holding must have been. If contact was made then it would have sent him flying.

    his arms crossed before him, taking the full brunt of the hit as her movement continued to deflect not only his dagger, but jinwoo as well. sand ground beneath his feet as his skidded back, the strength of the strike enough to give her several feet of room. oh yes, a worthy opponent indeed.

    ❝ If you insist on fighting with a sheathed blade, this match won't last very long at all. ❞ a hand outstretched, palm open, saw his dagger returned to him in a crackle of energy even as jinwoo straightened, posture loose. ❝ Maybe a little incentive will make that clearer. ❞

    ❝ Igris. ❞ the shadows beneath his feet swirled, bubbling and writhing as they bled from him. ❝ Come forth. ❞ a shape emerged, dripping in black and deepest purple. a knight, a red blaze of color cresting from his helmet as he knelt before his king. but only for a moment—before he rose, sword drawn.

She was clearly unphased by the environment as she approached, eventually resting a hand loosely on her blade's hilt when she finally came to a halt. Apparently they wouldn't be placed in a match that they could not win, which of course made her curious about the abilities of the man in front of her. A human? Perhaps.

But looks could be deceiving.

    and they were telling him that this woman wasn't to be underestimated, or taken lightly. she was strong. he knew that she must be a worthy opponent, for this coliseum to pit them against each other, and jinwoo could feel the skittering of adrenaline begin to ghost through him. he was excited. and he wanted to fight.

Granted the doll probably knew what happened, whether they liked to hear it or not. The sheets for signing up were spread out pretty closely to each other, increasing the odds significantly that someone could waltz up and enter the wrong event. It happened to her for a brief moment as Architect almost threw her name onto the "smart person" event rather then this one. Still, what's done was done and if he didn't want to be part of this then she'd have to deal with it all by herself.

"Still if you DID want to be part of "Team Archisauce" then hop on in. We got a race to win." The vehicle she constructed probably wouldn't make it through the majority of the race if anyone had a faster ride, but that's where her knack for secrets was going to come in hand.

"Though I'm driving. I mean I did make it after all."

    a sigh left his lips as he pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, brows furrowed for a moment. he was glad none of his servants were here to see this, at least. it was downright embarrassing for someone of his station.

I'm sure it'd suit him well.

Brightening at the prospect, his gaze on Jinwoo intensifies. "Of course, my apologies. I assume you must be a new arrival at the city. If so, I'd like to invite you home for tea."

"There is an air about you that reminds me greatly of my partner, whom I'd like for you to meet." What would it be like having them sitting together side-by-side? Aurelius is curious to find out.

"To put it in human terms, you've made an impression on me. I think I like you." He tilts his head to the side, looking equal parts puzzled and intrigued.

    ❝ 'Human terms'? I assume that implies you're not? ❞ jinwoo's head tilted, the curl of his lip flashing just that little bit of threatening teeth. he wasn't quite as quick to judge those who weren't human ( himself included, at this point ), but it didn't endear him any more, either.

Whether that was the alcohol he was drinking or something else being on their mind was not exactly clear to Miyoi. Still a drink like that shouldn't normally cause someone to feel completely out of it. Maybe the buzz was all he needed and just wasn't accustomed to it. Different cities meant different tastes, and Spirale tended to be an outlier to all of them.

"Yes. Some of us or most of us have housemates. Those who do not will eventually have them as well." The gentleman seems so confident that he'd be able to leave. It was time Klaus gave him some caution if anything.

"You shouldn't venture too far from this place. Whether it's flying too high up, dropping down the hole, or trying to get far away by sea." It was a softer way, at least to let him know that there really was no escape.

With basket in hand, sapling in the basket--enjoying its ride, Dam-bi walks down the fogged path. This place never scared her, even when she had been less powerful. The blue flames in the distance remain as beacons to guide people (as long as they're not too far deep into the forest).

Dam-bi sees a man and her first motion is to bow softly but politely at the man.

    his gaze flickered back to the child as she bowed, surprise sparking at the action. overly formal, for sure, but perhaps she was old fashioned. jinwoo dipped his head in response, not willing to come across as rude to someone he'd just met, kid or not.

but somethings can't always be perfect, on her way back nero does end up bumping into someone. stumbling back a bit, but she finds her footing quickly. the man in front of her beat her to the apology before she can.

"no need to worry your pretty little head over something as trivial as running into each other," nero isn't quick to anger...unless something like this intentional, then maybe she would have scolded the man before her. "such things always happens to strangers, if it makes you feel better, you can have a look and see if i have any scratches on my body."

    side-stepping another pedestrian trying to squeeze past him on the sidewalk, jinwoo gently tried to guide the girl closer to the side and out of the way as well, even as he offered a neutral smile. his hand hovered by her elbow, careful not to touch, but trying to make his intentions clear. the last thing he wanted was for another careless individual to jostle them again.

Still, he was a remarkable candidate for a doppelganger. So much so that the angel can't help warming to him immediately, stepping forward to offer his hand.

"Yes. Are you busy today?"

He's sure Klaus would be equally intrigued by their visitor. Was he any more different on the inside? A pity that Aurelius couldn't tell. Perhaps he'd ask his partner to read the man's mind and give him a summary later.

    letting his hand fall back to his side, handshake unanswered, jinwoo smiled—a sharp baring of teeth barely masquerading as something that could be considered polite. he would give the other man one, and only one, chance to backpedal.