(open catch-all)

[fulgency]

Who: Ozymandias + You!
When: Prior to event
Where: Aefenglom (more specifically at the Purramid Cafe and on the riverbank)
What: Ozymandias fostering kittens in his cafe for adoption purposes and soaking in the sun
Warnings: None! Will update if needed.

(blink and miss 'em)
[It seems plain and obvious that the Purramid Cafe should lend itself as a temporary home to the teleporting kittens. With regular feeding schedules, plenty of toys, treats, and catmint, and some playmates, most of the kittens are easily occupied and their teleportation hijinks are at least kept to a more localized area instead of running amok in a store, home, or the city at large. Plus, it seems the odds of finding each kitten a master is much more likely within the cafe given that the majority of patrons are cat lovers.]

a. bulletin board

[Ozymandias also has a stroke of genius of how to use the cafe's bulletin board to the kittens' benefit as well. A dedicated space is created for this purpose and each kitten has bestowed upon them a name and a short letter "from" each kitten describing their temperament and preferences. The effort is ultimately a partnership as Ozymandias enchants each picture to continuously loop the identified kitten at play or at rest in a brief moving image rather than still photography. Leslie, meanwhile, has taken care to provide each kitten with their temporary name and neatly written "their" letters to showcase each's personality.]

[One of the kittens has successfully been adopted, and now that they have been sent with some basic supplies, Ozymandias is in the process of replacing the kitten's picture and letter with a picture of the kitten with their proud new owner, their new name, and notice that they have been adopted. Hearing footsteps come to a stop behind him, Ozymandias glances over his shoulder.]

Considering one for yourself?

b. training

[But really even with as much help that the cafe itself serves for the kittens, if they are to have any real hope of finding a permanent home, they must gain a little more control over their teleportation powers. And so, while Ozymandias has the time to spare, he begins working with them one at a time. Or, well, as best as one can work with one cat at a time.]

[Standing near the tree at the cafe's center, Ozymandias holds between this thumb and forefinger a tasty morsel and taps the shelf nearest to him with his spare fingers.]

Here.

[Two kittens seem to forget entirely that they have the ability to teleport and launch themselves towards the base of the tree to climb. A sphinx cub decides that now is a good time to perch itself on Ozymandias shoulder (although is foiled from taking the treat with a gentle hand over its face to prevent its progress). The kitten that is actually working with Ozymandias, however, does exactly as it is commanded and teleports.]

[It will be given plenty of praise should it be successful, but it's also entirely possible you might now have a kitten suddenly and very nearly on top of your breakfast sandwich or in your lap as it overshoots the tree by several feet.]

(before everything's on fire)
[The weather this month has not been quite as agreeable as last when it comes to sunning himself. The storms that roll through the city seem at times relentless, and he finds it frustrating each morning he wakes to find the skies darkened by clouds. But on those days where the sun seems keen to occupy the skies instead, Ozymandias takes to the riverbank to lay about on a blanket.]

a. closed to established cr

[There had been some vague intention to get some work done while he was out here. There's a small stack of papers tucked away in his bag either pertaining to the cafe's finances or even some paperwork regarding the community garden. (The project may not have been his and he has no interest in taking over, but Ozymandias cannot help but involve himself in some small way.) But it was forgotten perhaps as soon as he came across a familiar face and invited them to join him for a time. He has, after all, brought more than enough refreshments with him than for just himself. There is, after all, an entire tray filled with snacks and plenty of choices for a drink or two.]

[Ozymandias finishes refilling his companion's beverage of choice and passes back their glass. He sets the bottle back down with the others, reaching for the wine to refill his own as the sphinx cub continues its slow progressing into the others' lap. With the slight disruption of their drinks being resolved, Ozymandias prompts,]

You were saying?

b. open to new & old cr

[Ozymandias lifts his gaze from the papers when he hears a distant splash followed by sounds of disappointment. While Ozymandias has been reviewing his papers, the sphinx cub has been busying itself playing with some local children as they play around with a ball. Said ball was tossed a little too far and ended up in the water. Both the cub and the group of children now stand somewhat helplessly at the river's edge. Ozymandias sits up a little further to watch, resting his papers in his lap.]

Don't, [he says when he sees movement in his periphery, assuming it to be a passerby intending to do a good deed. But after those few moments of observing, he saw the sphinx cub gearing up to do something about this situation. He won't have that effort put to waste.] Let him handle it.

[It's a tentative first few steps, but the cub begins wading into the river carefully off toward the ball.]

((feel free to riff of these if you're feeling adventurous, but know that you can always run something by me first if you're unsure. if you'd like a private starter, hmu via pm to this journal or on plurk (rebreather).))

Comments

[fulgency]

[Cocoon manages to ring a bell for Ozymandias, although the recognition of it isn't something he allows to enter into his expression. There's only one person that he knows of among all the Mirrorbound who has ever said anything about Cocoon. But given how she is not particularly keen on most people from her world and this woman is quite obviously not Vanille, he thinks it better not to show recognition or to mention Fang for right now. For all he knows, without a name, this is someone Fang would much rather not cross paths with if she can help it. It may be impossible to avoid one another forever even with as large as this city is, but to whatever length that can be preserved or that when they do eventually meet it's on Fang's terms would likely be his Bonded's preference in the event she is someone Fang would like to avoid.]

[The Drama (TM) in Ozymandias' lap begins as the cub seems to become boneless. Fighting doesn't seem to help, so maybe going limp and seemingly playing dead will help.]

[(It does not. It simply makes it easier for Ozymandias to dry the cub's belly.)]

They are much younger than he is, to be fair. He is very nearly a year in age. [He finishes with toweling off the cub and tosses the now slightly damp blanket back over the grass. There is a significant delay between when this happens and then the cub looks up at Ozymandias, who is by now looking at Lightning again.] I've had some success in training some I'm fostering in my cafe, but I think all of them could be potentially trained. It's just a matter of some being a bit faster at learning than their siblings.

[The kitten sits up more fully in Ozymandias' lap and looks over at Lightning. It's not long after that before he's over to her to investigate.]

[sparkstrikes]

Fostering?

[Something sparks (no pun intended) in Lightning's eyes, but she maintains a straight expression otherwise. Some recognition or revelation on her part, perhaps—Fang had said something about her new Bonded summoning these cats by the horde, but... nah. There's no way.

She'll just keep talking about the cats, until she's absolutely sure.]

You know all about the disappearing cats then.

[Who wouldn't, at this rate? It's something that would be all over the news on Cocoon.]

Could barely get 'em to sit still for a minute without that catmint stuff. Pretty bold of you to think you can train them.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias cannot help but laugh, the sound both loud and boisterous in nature. The sphinx cub is unperturbed by the sound and instead busies itself with sniffing Lightning. He's clearly spent plenty of time around his master that his laughter is just background noise to him. Despite his laughter and seeming distraction by her comment, however, he doesn't miss the look in her eyes. He just doesn't know entirely what's occurred to her.]

If there is to be anyone with any hope of training them properly, then it would certainly be me! In my own world, I have an army of sphinxes under my command. [No catmint required for Ozymandias when it comes to wrangling the teleporting kittens.] Those kittens may not be divine beasts and their abilities may not serve much use in direct combat, but the basics of their training are similar enough.

[sparkstrikes]

[His loud, boisterous laughter only slightly startles her, making her eyes go round in surprise before they narrow again with skepticism. She isn't doubting him or his confidence, but those kittens sure were something else. It took catmint and some laser tag to tire them out, and it wasn't for long—the moment she returned with her own food, they were back up and doing what they do best.

Which is... not direct combat? What? Did she hear that right?

She responds in turn to his laughter with a scoff.]

Not sure what you mean by combat. What, these sphinxes winning wars or something?

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias makes a short, mirthless sound. He'd tried once to win a war of a particular kind with his sphinxes and that ended in utter defeat. But he knows that's not the sort of war she's referring to, the more traditional sort between nations. Were it his will, he's certain could win such battles and warfare with his sphinxes, but that is not their intended purposes. To fight in that way would be somewhat of an insult.]

That cub may not appear to be much now, but when he reaches his full size, he would be capable of reducing this entire city to ash. [The sphinx cub looks to Ozymandias who nods to him briefly before the cub scampers off past Lightning back toward the children to play. The children had not yet picked up their game and were waiting for their playmate to return, although none of them necessarily had the courage to ask for him.] But no, my sphinxes do not win wars. While they are beasts capable of destruction, but they do not enact destruction.

[Ozymandias pulls his paperwork back out, but avoids placing any of it in his lap. The sphinx cub managed to get his lap fairly damp as well and he'd rather not have soggy paperwork to contend with. Instead, he reclines onto his side, placing the papers on the dry portion of the blanket.]

They are guardians to my people and offer protection to our sacred places, such as our tombs and our temples and that is the purpose they serve to me as well. If I was still capable of summoning my temple complex, you would see with your own eyes their dedication. But for now, you may satisfy any curiosity you have by witnessing them on my property toward the center of the Haven.

[They may appear to be laying about the lawn and sunning themselves much the way Ozymandias sunning himself now, but they are ever watchful. Those Ozymandias knows, they allow to pass without any trouble, but trespassers may find themselves being ejected quite quickly.]

sorry for the wait! 😭 having internet issues atm

[sparkstrikes]

[Lightning steps aside to let the cub pass, watching as the children clap and scream as he scurries over, ready to play again. They toss their ball up into the air, trying to get him to catch it, and just when one of them looks to be throwing it in the direction of the water again, she calls out.]

Careful with that.

[Poor thing shouldn't be made to go fetch in the water again... The kid pouts, but it's short-lived when he tries to bounce it off the grass and ultimately fails. They all seem to think it's funny. Kids will be kids.

Lightning, however, sees this as an opportunity to ask the question she's been meaning to.]

Your property wouldn't happen to be that one café with all the cats, would it?

no worries! it happens 👍

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias, at this point, is not attending to his cub or the children very closely, but he does glance up at Lightning's redirection. He judges it to be kind of her to intervene on the sphinx's behalf but makes no comment upon it. His eyes move back down to his papers and he grabs his nearby pen to make a note, his penmanship visibly precise even from her distance.]

One of them, yes. But that is located within the Entertainment District and I do not keep any grown sphinxes there.

[Unfortunately, not everyone is quite as appreciative of their majesty and they may be a bit more of a turn-off in terms of patronage than kittens. It's not something Ozymandias can understand personally because he would think the creatures would only strike fear if they were to aggress. But that is neither here nor there.]

I take it you have not been there for yourself yet? [He doesn't really wait for an answer before continuing,] You ought to if you have not. Right now, we are fostering some of the kittens from the Petagorium until they can be adopted into permanent homes. I have been summoning them in smaller numbers while we are hosting the kittens, but young sphinxes like Wehem-Mesut are always there. Our drink and food selection also has no equal among others as I was quite selective in where we would receive our supplies and ingredients. We also sell catmint and catmint treats for use with the cats in the cafe or if you happen to know a Turnskin that enjoys it.

[His eyes move from the page to Lightning. Was that just to seal the deal on a sales pitch or is there something a little more intentional and pointed behind that?]

[sparkstrikes]

[Lightning folds her arms over her chest, eyes roaming over Ozymandias on the ground, pausing on the paper and pen on his lap, before it stops on his face. Is this really the guy that Fang was telling her about? She can certainly sense something pointed about the way he mentions the Turnskin, because why else should it even be brought up, and the vivid memories of Fang eating a small sprinkling of catnip gives him away even more.]

I might know a Turnskin who's into catmint.

[What a weird thing to say.

What of it? She wants to ask, but there's no reason for her to be so defensive. She isn't sure what she was expecting when she met Fang's second Bonded, but it wasn't this. Still, it's too early to make solid impressions. They'll get back to that in a second.]

But no. Haven't been to the one in the Haven yet.

[As if embarrassed to ask, she shifts on her feet and looks over to the children playing with the sphinx cub near the water, where they yell and cheer when he catches the ball.]

So you're saying I could see more of those things at that one...?

[They're... kind of... cute.....]

[fulgency]

[Lightning's response doesn't particularly clarify that the Turnskin she knows is Fang or not, only that she knows a Turnskin. Even the mild hint of guardedness that comes with an answer like that doesn't shed any light on the matter. But Ozymandias does not pursue it when it seems too likely to end in him prematurely tipping his hand. Instead, he answers her question at-length.]

Yes, [he says with a nod, turning his attention back to his papers.] They are younger and therefore smaller in size than he is, but I summon them at the start of each week.

[Ozymandias glances up as he explains as a brief aside, looking for any sign of recognition. Surely Fang would mention the little beast with as fond as she is of it.]

Unfortunately, the magic of this place prevents me from summoning them permanently. That cub there, [he gestures off to the sphinx playing with the children,] is a sphinx I created in my world. Unlike those I summon here, he is a perfect clone of his progenitor rather than a replication made of magical energy. That is why he continues to grow and is not in any sort of danger of fading. He is a being of his own rather than a mimicry of it.

[He picks up his glass of wine, pausing for a sip.]

In any case, the first batch of sphinxes was not what I intended to summon, but they became an appropriate starting point for learning to summon their more effective relatives. As I continued to summon them, I observed that they brought about comfort and joy to those in need of it. I, myself, certainly did not mind their company even when they certainly outnumbered me by a large margin at times. [Ozymandias chuckles warmly before he has another sip of his wine and sets it aside once more.] So, I was always certain to keep a few around my manor and when I had the idea for the cafe, they seemed integral not only for its success but in setting the cafe in the direction I intended.

[sparkstrikes]

[Lightning watches the ripples in the water as she listens to him. There's a splash that comes from her right as one of the children slips down the riverbank and gets his feet wet, but that doesn't seem to deter him from getting right back up and playing.

She only looks back when he seems to be finished, a sad look flickering in her eyes.]

So, the ones you summon aren't permanent... Am I hearing that right? They just disappear from here after they've hung around too long or what?

[If that's the case, then there's something mildly upsetting about that.]

What happens to them?

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias shakes his head a little.]

They cease to be as far as I can tell.

[He does not say this without any hint of emotion. He thinks it unfortunate and to some degree unfair. Ozymandias would like each of his sphinxes to live their natural lives just like the one that came through the mirrors. At the very least, he would like to see them have the opportunity for more than a week of life.]

[But Ozymandias is not the sort of person who stamps his feet and decries things unfair the way a child might. He doesn't like that existence for his sphinxes in this world are the way they are, but he cannot will it to be any other way.]

I have attempted to summon the same sphinx more than once, but thus far, I have not found it to be possible. Each time I summon them, it is as if they are being born into the world anew with no memory of their previous experiences. [He looks back down at his papers.] I have attempted to find ways of extending their time here given my own permanence in this world in the absence of another contract and the existence of this body as it is. There is, however, only so much that I am willing to even contemplate trying with them.

[They may be only manifestations of magic given a fairly basic sense of sentience, but they are still young lifeforms and that is not something that Ozymandias would ever think to abuse in such a manner.]

[He looks to the sphinx cub as it pounces upon the ball and begins a game of keep-away with the children. The cub is a lot more certain of its movements on land than it was in the water.]

Perhaps I shall eventually discover a means of manifesting my Noble Phantasms once more, but for now, I am satisfied with him.

[sparkstrikes]

[Yikes.]

That sucks.

[It's all she can really say on the matter, because while it does suck, even Lightning knows that there's only so much they can do in this world. She hasn't tried summoning Odin since she got here, but the last time she did, it ended in failure. Not even her Eidolon crystal appeared... Without her l'Cie magic, there's no way for her to do it, which is just another limit to this place.

She stopped trying, too. Failure gets old after a while.

Instead, she focuses on the silver lining of all of this, folding her arms with an amused note to her voice.]

Hmph. Well, guess I better get around to visiting them soon. Maybe I'll even get Fang to show me where it is.

[The mention of her friend's name has her glancing sideways at him, for any semblance of familiarity in his expression.]

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias' expression betrays nothing insomuch there is no look of surprise that she knows Fang's name or even implies being on positive terms with Fang. (An implication that Ozymandias would err on the side of believing to be true given that she has held off this long without saying Fang's name. That speaks to a degree of protectiveness to not want to involve Fang unless strictly necessary that could only stem from a positive relationship to Fang.) But he isn't going to insult her intelligence by playing stupid or coy, and pretending as though he has no idea who she could possibly be referring to either.]

That is assuming she knows where it is, [he says smoothly. As far as Ozymandias knows, Fang has never set foot in the cafe. She's certainly never asked about it, in any case, so Ozymandias would assume disinterest and that she's never been.] I was under the impression that investigating others in this manner was something due to her Turnskin instincts, but I am now beginning to suspect that this is a trait common to people of your world.

[Ozymandias sets his pen down and raises his gaze.]

I am correct in assuming that Fang already informed you of who I am, yes?

[It's not a courtesy Fang extended to Ozymandias clearly, but he doesn't take it as a personal slight so much as Fang being Fang. Likely because she thought it wasn't particularly important to mention to him and slipped her mind, or she was keen on messing with him. Or perhaps a little bit of both motivated her to not say anything. It could just as easily change with the time of day and her mood.]

[sparkstrikes]

[The apple doesn't fall far from the Nova Chrysalia tree, it would seem.

She makes no comment about any such investigation, except for a quiet huff of what could easily be construed as agreement or protest, but to Lightning, it means neither. She would have liked to meet him, yes, but she had no intention of running into him here or seeking him out. It doesn't take a monkey to put two and two together to figure out who he is, and coincidences just keep coming at her like curveballs.

It really could have been worse, just like she had expected it would be.]

Ozy. Right?

[She tilts her head to match his gaze when he raises it, her own leveled and guarded.]

[fulgency]

[There is no disguising Ozymandias' reaction to the shortening of his name. Even with as many years in life he spent with careful control over his expressions and the millennia he has spent as being worthy of the respect and admiration he receives from those who came after, he can't contain it. Ozymandias opens his mouth to say something, drawing the breath to sharply correct her, but lets the breath go in a huff and turns his gaze towards the sky. He has half a mind to not message his third Bonded right then and there... But that would be a bit rude to Lightning, who is likely waiting at this point for confirmation one way or another.]

[He takes a measured, steadying breath. That damn alligator brains Bonded of his...]

No, [he says, looking at Lightning again.] Fang claims to be incapable of pronouncing the whole of my name and persists in butchering it. Apparently she does this when discussing me with others as well.

[Which he had no idea she would do if his tone were any indication. Although he should have predicted she would, particularly if she had any inkling that their paths might cross. They're going to have to have a talk about this. A talk that will likely result in her doubling down and resulting in little to no change, but-- Not the point right now.]

My name is Ozymandias.

[sparkstrikes]

[Lightning barks a laugh, out loud and so openly that even the children pause in their playing to look before getting back to tossing the ball around.

She really shouldn't be surprised that it's the direction Fang had gone in. She did the same with Lightning's name, taking to calling her 'Light' quicker than anyone else in their band of l'Cie, but she hadn't protested as much and let it happen. She definitely is the kind of person who would double down on it instead of making the change, so it was best that she just let it roll off her shoulders.

She can understand where he's coming from, though. Anyone else who'd call her Light without being told to would cause the same reaction. And she knows better than to keep calling him by that nickname.]

Ozy definitely paints a different sort of picture.

[Still, she won't hide her amusement about it. It sounds more "pompous showbird" (her words) than Ozymandias, that's for sure.]

Lightning. I'm uh... guess you could say a good friend of Fang's.

[Family, more like, but that feels too personal for this.]

[fulgency]

You sound uncertain.

[Which is not so much criticism or accusation as it is observation. There have certainly been times where he's questioned their relationship to one another. So, Ozymandias would not find it altogether surprising if Fang had that effect on everyone she befriends and in most of her relationships therein lies confusing gray areas that cannot be neatly summarized in a word or two.]

[He does frown a little though, his mind being pulled back to the "different sort of picture." He's not even certain he truly wants to ask how exactly he was described and rules against it in the end. He's sure whatever she said will probably only serve to annoy him further and she's already made a fairly solid move in not providing his full name to Lightning. He doesn't even bother with telling Lightning to disregard anything Fang might have said about him, knowing that could very well inspire Lightning to share. He just doesn't want to know.]

In any case, [he says, permanently banishing the thought from his mind. Or more accurately, pushing it aside to grill Fang about it later. Which will probably feed into her satisfaction over it a little further, but it's a risk he's willing to take. Ozymandias' expression smooths itself again finally as he sets it aside.] It is a pleasure to meet you Lightning. If you are a friend of my Bonded, you may feel free to call upon me anytime should you need it.

[A potentially dangerous offer to make given Fang's tendency to follow the letter rather than the spirit of anything established just because she can, but it's a risk he feels he must be willing to take. He would rather not alienate anyone important or close to any of his Bonded, and regardless of how irritating Fang is, he would strive to keep her happy just as he would Sheva or Daenerys. That means looking after her people just as he would his own.]

[sparkstrikes]

[She isn't uncertain, and even shifts uncomfortably when called out like that. One day, Lightning will be able to easily and openly talk about how much Fang and the others mean to her. Knowing what happens next—what's waiting for her when she goes back—she can't even string together the right words for it. Fang and Vanille are the ones who will save Gran Pulse from destruction, who'll form the pillar to keep Cocoon from crashing.

Those thoughts are cut short when he speaks again, and she brushes it off with him.

Awkward as that was, Lightning offers him a grateful smile.]

Right back at you.

[Not sure what she can offer, but she'll stand by it all the same.]

Fang can be a handful sometimes. Try to keep her out of trouble.

[fulgency]

[Ozymandias scoffs not out of any malicious derision but the knowledge of what an impossible task it is to even try to keep Fang out of trouble. Especially when it is so very often that merely suggesting something to Fang is enough to make her do the exact opposite, perhaps particularly when it comes from him more than anyone else.]

I shall make no promises as to my success in that endeavor. [Although he's certain Lightning would expect that. One needn't a particularly long-standing or deep relationship with Fang to know how willful and stubborn she is.] But I have made such efforts even before we were Bonded to one another and I fully intend to continue.

[The only difference now is that it will be a lot harder for Fang to brush Ozymandias' efforts aside as unnecessary with a Bond between them. It is a lot harder to pretend as though one is fine when another has such direct insight into your moods after all.]

I am sure you shall hear a complaint or two about me eventually as a result. I would recommend that you dismiss much of whatever she has to say in that case.

[Alligator. Brains.]

[sparkstrikes]

Can't argue with that.

[She's come to realize that Fang might have over-exaggerated her tale of Ozymandias a touch. Up until meeting him, she expected that she would be meeting someone like Snow—chummy and with a tendency to want to be too familiar too quickly—but Lightning was pleasantly surprised that he seemed to be the opposite. Or maybe... that side will come out in time.

Regardless, first impression is that he seems like an alright guy, and there's a silent nod of approval on her end.

The kids cheering on the other end at another successful catch of the ball pulls Lightning's attention back to them, and to the world surrounding them. Between the sphinx and her friend's bonded, she'd forgotten where she was headed.

Oh right.]

Better get going. [The inflection in her voice shifts suddenly, suggesting a touchiness about the next part:] Those pastries at the patisserie aren't gonna sell themselves.

... Nice meeting you, Ozymandias.

[See Fang? How hard is it to call someone by their full name...]

[fulgency]

[There are a lot of questions about just how exactly Lightning intends to assist that dying business from going completely belly up since she appears to be so straightforward thus far. For a business with that negative of a reputation, straightforward doesn't seem to be the right choice... But who knows? They have only just met. There's no telling what Lightning might be capable of if she applies herself.]

[Still, Ozymandias chuckles at the thought.]

Gods help you with that... [He leaves it a bit vague if he's referring to her retaining her sanity or managing to draw in customers. Either way, a mild amount of divine intervention might be necessary.] It was nice meeting you as well, Lightning. I am sure we shall see more of one another.