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[002] video | un: lyreplayer

[ It's late evening when Orpheus's video goes up, finding him standing outside a what looks like a small shop in Willful Machine, though the sign is only partially in frame. True to form, he also seems to be having some trouble getting the camera pointed fully at his face, also only partially in frame. ]

Hi, everyone? [ he says, waving, the camera swaying slightly as he shuffles out of the way of someone trying to get by him on the sidewalk. ] I'm Orpheus, and I, um. I found this artisan who says they can make blood into jewelry? And they seemed pretty interested in mine.

[ He frowns a little, turning his back to the shop and lowering his voice slightly. ]

I'm just not sure if it's a good idea? Giving my blood to someone else, when it seems to have so much power here? But I wanted to surprise my wife with a real wedding ring, since I couldn't afford one when we got married.

[ Something seems to occur to him, and he pauses, thinking. ]

Would it be better to try to find something else, though? I thought maybe if it were made from a part of me it would be more personal, but now that I say that, it sounds kind of off? The people here don't seem to mind it, but...

[ He trails off, glancing back over his shoulder at the shop behind him. ]

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a blood jewelry wedding ring?
dog that sounds super romantic! you should do it!
man the only thing better than that would be another blood sword

OH that sounds positively romantic! You could have a ring with something of you inside of it to connect the two of you. She could do the same and you could trade them so you'd always be together no matter what.

I've been thinking of having a piece made myself. It seemed like a very nice gesture.

[... uh, so fair warning. Vira-Lorr understood the nerves, but she was totally on board with this whole thing and thought it was a great idea herself. So she miiiight be a tiny bit enthusiastic.]

I'm looking for just the right jeweler. I'll admit that they're a little keen on getting more, so it does feel perhaps like blood is almost a commodity in this world after a fashion because of its power. So, let's just hope to keep that from becoming too agressive.

Still, I admit it's a bit more visceral than we're used to isn't it? I wouldn't recommend anything else, except maybe hair? You could use hair. I remember reading they actually did that on Earth sometimes.

That actually sounds really sentimental and nice.

(But then again, this was coming from someone who highly valued blood pacts.)

If Sleepers care, that's their fault. Seems like the culture really embraces the blood thing. I wouldn't be shocked if Trenchies actually proposed with blood rings. If they even have a marital system to begin with.

(....)

But what's most important isn't really what everyone else thinks. Do you think your wife would actually like it? It'd be the ring she's wearing all the time, after all.

Ah, Orpheus! You have crossed over to our shores after all.

And your wife is with you? What good fortune.

I'm probably not the best judge of things like this but yeah- I think it sounds pretty metal to give her a part of you like that. I'd totally be all for it.

If you don't do that then giving her something in a colour that you feel sort of represents you is what we do back at home.

[ Ange may or may not have some opinions on everything else Orpheus is considering in the message he's sending out, but there's one thing that immediately draws her attention, actually managing to make Ange look surprised, rather than having her put on her usual pokerface. ]

Your wife is here?

Aww, so you found her? I'm glad.

[Varian's not the biggest fan of blood ever, but he can at least understand the appeal in Trench.]

It seems a pretty big deal here? The blood stuff? But yeah, if you think that's something she'd like, I say go for it. Heck, you've got enough sentimentality going for you I think you'd probably pull it off regardless.

Okay, apparently I'm the only one who is gonna say dude? That's fucking weird. And kinda gross. But, whatever, be all goth if you wanna.

I'd be a little wary of the jeweler unless he's asking a reasonable price for it, though. Because like you said: blood seems like a powerful thing, here. He might try to harvest your organs or something.

What kind of blood do you have?

Thanks! I'm still thinking about it, but I'm glad you think so. I don't think I'll be getting Eurydice a sword any time soon, though.

[ As good an idea as it might be to be prepared, the idea of her fighting for any reason just makes him nervous. ]

Did you have a blood sword back in Ooo?

[ Orpheus nods, looking reassured by what Vira-Lorr has to say. She's smart, obviously she knows what she's talking about. ]

I thought it might mean more than just any gemstone might, and the jeweler I was talking to said that bloodstones can even be useful in different ways under the right circumstances? Which I think she'd appreciate.

[ Practicality and sentimentality! He frowns a little though, looking thoughtful. ]

I'm just worried about giving someone I don't know very well my blood? Even if it's so they can make something out of it. It just seems like that could go kind of wrong in some ways. We just don't know much about how magic works here yet, and I don't want to accidentally bind myself to someone else or give them power over me, or something.

[ This is an uncharacteristic amount of forethought for Orpheus, but after Eurydice's brush with Hades he's especially leery of contracts and bargains that he doesn't understand. ]

That's the thing - I'm not really sure? The pieces the jeweler I was talking to makes are beautiful, so there's that? But I'm more worried about...

[ He gestures, vaguely, trying to articulate what he means. ]

I don't want to stumble into something I don't understand with this? And um, there's a lot I don't know about how blood magic works here, and if giving my blood to someone I don't know well is a good idea. I think above everything else she'd be really upset with me if I got myself into trouble trying to find a gift for her.

Hi, Dr. Disraeli!

[ He lights up at the glimpse of a familiar face, waving. ]

It's good to see you! And she is! She got here a little before I did, actually? We were able to find each other really quickly.

It seems like most people think it's a good idea! [ says Orpheus, brightly. ] I'm still a little worried about it, but I think I'm going to keep looking into it? Maybe I'll ask some of the locals about it.

[ Obviously if the shopkeeper were using the blood they collect for nefarious purposes they wouldn't be able to stay in business, because everyone would know about it, right? ]

A color that represents me, though, [ he says, thoughtfully. ] I'm not sure I have one of those, but that might be a good thing to think about for the future?

[ Of course, as he says this he fidgets with the faded red bandana around his neck, so there's that. ]

My wife is here! We actually found each other a little after you and I met up!

[ He beams, clearly of the opinion that he's one of the luckiest men in the world. ]

I really want to do something special for her, to celebrate, but I haven't figured out just what yet. That's why I was looking around the trading district? There's a lot here, but I'm not sure any of it's quite right, and I'm still trying to understand how things work without money here.

I did! It didn't take as long as I thought it might.

[ Which he's pretty happy to take as a good omen, as far as these things go. ]

And thanks! I think I'm going to? There's still some questions I want to ask, and I think it might be a good idea to ask them of someone who isn't the jeweler, just to get another opinion, but if that goes well I'll do it! Especially since apparently bloodstones can be really useful even aside from just looking nice.

That's what I'm worried about. I mean, her thinking it's gross and weird, and also about someone being able to hurt me or her because they have my blood.

[ Maybe not necessarily trying to take his organs, though. That possibility hadn't occurred to him. He shudders, cringing. ]

I think I'm what's called a paleblood? It's kind of a pearly white.

Valid concerns. Especially the hurting you guys part, because I guess if she's your wife she already knows you're weird.

...huh. Okay, that's. Inappropriate sounding. Have you noticed any locals giving this dude their blood?

why not? a sword's more useful than a ring

yeah and i got it here too
it's the family sword and it's made of demon blood
it's really important to me

It's one of those types of things that, as you guessed, can be quite meaningful if you do it right. The artificers I've spoken to seemed to indicate the same thing, that the bloodstones made can have power within them. It probably depends on the blood type.

You're not wrong to be a little dubious. Perhaps if one of our ranks joins the artificers that will help a little in building trust, though I haven't seen too many get into that line of work quite yet.

[Only Fern, and that wasn't exactly jewelry he was making.]

Good! And I'm taking from this she's glad to see you? All your worries unneeded?

[He's guessing as much, what with the wanting to find a wedding ring and all. ]

Hmm, from what I've been researching, they can have our blood powers imbued into the jewellery. I'm... not exactly sure how that process works just yet, but it could end up being very useful for her.

[ drier than the southwestern desert: ]

Sure am.

[ She's entirely unsurprised by his reaction. His happiness.

But it's a good thing, Ange thinks. If anyone deserves to have their loved ones from back home here, it's Orpheus - especially with how heartbroken he had seemed about it before. Maybe this place is doing a few good things for them after all. ]

I'd say 'I'm sure you'd like anything you give her,' but you seem like the type who enjoys over the top gestures. [ .. there's a slight pause, but then even Ange smiles a little. ] Congratulations, though. I'm glad you're back together.

[ Orpheus looks a little crestfallen at that comment. Ultimately it's pretty mild as far as people telling him to his face that they think he's weird goes, and he's used to that by now after a lifetime of being sort of an odd duck, but it still stings just a little bit. He recovers quickly enough, though.

(The remark about his new blood situation sounding inappropriate goes sailing right over his head.) ]

I've seen a couple of people in their shop, and they have a lot of existing jewelry on display? I don't know if anyone's given blood while I've been here, though. But that's a good point? If the locals trust them then they're probably safe, right?

[ Orpheus nods, beaming. It may not be accurate to say all his worries are unneeded, but for now they've been more focused on making things work here than dwelling on what happened back where they came from, and that's enough for him. ]

If you're interested, I can ask the jeweler if they'd be willing to show you how they do it if I decide to go through with it? Maybe they could teach you!

[ Orpheus there is such a thing as proprietary methods and trade secrets ]

Eurydice!

[ And, quietly, to himself, but just loud enough to hear over the din of the crowd; ]

Oh, no, this was supposed to be a surprise.

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