nobody knows how i got here [o p e n]

[muskeg]

who: Sage Abernathy and YOU
what: Catch all and such for April
when: April 10th onwards
where: EVERYWHERE.
warnings: Swearing, drinking, mean words, uhhh... violence maybe. IDK. I will update if it changes.



i. the streets of Riverview

Since managing to settle himself down in this place Sage has started to take the time to wander around the streets of Riverview, finding new places to pick up odds and ends, food, ingredients for his potions and experiments, and whatever else might catch his eye. He has acquired a few new rings in his wanderings, a new tarnished earring that he plans on imbuing with a spell, ideas for more that he might be able to sell or give to those who work in the area.

There is no real point to his wanderings today, just idle browsing to see what else might be around. He has a few things in the bag that is strapped to his thigh, some plain silver rings, a bottle of a herb that is supposed to replicate bay leaves in some potions, and a coffee clutched in his hands. At the present moment he is staring, head cocked, at a row of books that he thinks are written in English, but he actually can't tell because he swears the letters are moving... okay, maybe not English.

Feel free to approach the confused looking witch at any time you want.

ii. streets of Riverview two-point-oh.

Eating is not something that Sage is all that good at remembering to do, no matter how much he might set reminders (no he doesn't) or how often there is food available to him (there isn't). There are occasions where he snacks and remembers to at least consume something other than coffee, but today he has actually set out to find something to eat. He has heard whispers in the halls of the research facility of someplace that makes delicious sweets and-- well if he is going to eat, might as well be something that he doesn't need at all.

So there is one curious swamp witch wandering the streets, following his nose more or less, looking for a bakery. Help a witch out?

iii. double bubble toil and trouble-- [ closed to Aeacinos ]

The one thing that Sage has slowly started to learn about this place is that he really, really should not go out into the woods alone. Not that he doesn't still do so, short little trips that don't travel too far beyond the wall, but nothing like he might have taken up if he were at home in his swamp. He has learned that, while home might have wendigos and incubus, shadowy wraiths and redcaps, this moon has things that put those to shame.

So yeah, he has made a few tentative friends along the way, one of the more entertaining ones being Aeacinos. The man (snake? being?) had a personality that Sage found both refreshing and amusing, and also seemed to have little qualms with trekking out into the depths of the wilds in order for the witch to find new ingredients for his potions, and perhaps even happen across a swamp that he could use for his, well, existence.

Today though, they were just out foraging. Sage had a list (with some very detailed pictures) of flora that he was looking for in order to try making some new potions, and he had agreed to meet with the guard in order to head out. Sage meets him at the edge of the wall, two cups of steaming coffee in his hands, dressed a little more suitable for forest adventures than he usually is. Meaning that he isn't wearing leather pants and a jacket, but rather something that looks more like combat attire and combat boots.

"Morning, grabbed you a coffee if you want it. Black." He holds out the cup, small quirk of a smile at the edge of his lips.

iv. get stronger from the blows [ closed to Minsu ]

Since the first explosion of emotion that Minsu managed to elicit from Sage, the witch had half a mind to avoid the hell out of him. Which, honestly, would have been a great idea if it weren't for the fact that Minsu made the best coffee on this damned moon and, well, Sage found him both intrigued and charmed by the other. Not just because he knew that in some future of his the barista managed to love him, flaws and all, but because Minsu seemed to be a genuinely nice person. He was always smiling (even if Sage wasn't so stupid to not be able to see the hurt buried in behind it), and tried to give Sage space even when it was hurting him in some sense.

The witch couldn't help but be more than a little curious about the barista filled with bright smiles and brilliant coffee.

Which is why, when Minsu texted him with offers of a thermos of coffee and a picnic, the witch agreed to meet the other. And not just to grab the food and run (though he would be lying if he said he didn't consider it). Dressed in his usual skinny jeans and leather jacket, Sage heads towards the closed coffee shop, fingers fiddling absently with the new, blank rings that he had picked up in town partially to try and get a feel for what spells would work best with the metal and-- well mostly to give himself something to do with his hands.

The barista wasn't lying when he said he would wave when he caught sight of him. The over-enthusiastic waving makes Sage huff a quiet laugh despite himself as he shoved his hands in his pockets and approaches.

"Mmm, I am not about to forget what you look like any time soon, you know that right?" A small, barely-there smile. "But thanks."

v. all these flashing lights giving rise to shadows [ closed to Magnus Bane ]

As soon as he was told about the warlock and his magical bar by Alec, Sage knew that he had to visit the place. It was a lot more, uh, well put together than the types of places that Sage would usually visit, but that really didn't matter; there was a magical bar. That was something that he would never have come across back home because no matter how well aware people were of magic and witches and mages, they would never allow such an establishment to exist. So Sage puts a little effort into himself (meaning he doesn't smell like mud and ash, woo!) and makes his way to the place with more than a little curiosity in the curve of his lips.

His first impression of the place? Elaborate. Luxurious. Way out of his paygrade to be honest, but he doesn't turn on his heel and head out, rather he heads towards the bar, eyes wide and alert as he makes his way through the bar.

vi. w i l d c a r d

Add a prompt of your own choosing! Or, hit me up on estivaate for a comment starter!

Comments

[foxtrots]

Even during that first, emotional meeting, Minsu would have to say that he was happy. Sage is here, and it's enough just to be able to see him again, to hear that familiar drawl and fix coffee that makes Sage practically melt at how good it tastes to him. It's enough, but there are moments when it feels like it's barely enough, when there's so much longing behind his smile that he's sure that Sage could squint and see it. But he's trying. It must be a little overwhelming to the witch, because even on his best days, Minsu could be a bit Much. There's also things about him that he doesn't know, and Minsu secretly worries that maybe Sage isn't ready to accept someone like him.

But he doesn't want Sage to feel like he's alone, because he's not. Minsu will fix him coffee just the way he likes it. Minsu will change his form and trot after him on days when Sage likes foxes better than people. Minsu will clean him up when he's had too much to drink. And today, he's made him a lunch in hopes that Sage might get some solid actual food into him.

And okay, Minsu can't claim to be entirely selfless, not when he'd hoped and held his breath that today would be one of those days when Sage wasn't frightened of his company. The day is beautiful and the flowers are beautiful and-

Oh. Sage is the most beautiful. Minsu blinks softly at his approach, and then, as promised, waves enthusiastically at him. Things Sage is probably still learning about him, and that is he is an embarrassment.

"I wasn't sure, I didn't shave this morning. Wanna feel?" Minsu tilts his head and presents his unshaven cheek to him.

There is not a hair on his face.

After a moment, he holds the lunchbox up to show him, which is even wrapped in a flowery cloth napkin. He might've got the idea from teenage girls in dramas, what. "I hope you're hungry."

[muskeg]

There are cracks beginning to show in the walls that Sage has built up around him, tiny thin little things that are barely even noticable, but Sage can feel them every time he walks in to grab a coffee and Minsu smiles. Every time the other slides a small pastry his way, 'on the house', because he seems to know that Sage picks coffee and magic over food without fail. He doesn't love Minsu, not even close, but perhaps he can see why some version of him might have let the other get close enough for such a feeling to bloom.

For now, all Sage can give is choked laugh and a barely there brush of the back of his hand against Minsu's face (he isn't stupid, but he will give you this) to feel the non existent stubble that is there. That is another thing that Sage is struggling with; how tactile Minsu is. How easy it is for him to slide into Sage's space without even noticing that he is doing it and yet-- never pushing too far. It is a marvel and, well, it is working.

"How ever would I have known it was you with all that facial hair..." Don't cut yourself on that sarcasm there, Minsu. "And I am sure you know the answer to that, but more importantly, coffee please."

The witch holds out his hands, making grabby motions. Food is secondary okay, coffee first. And if Sage stands a little closer than he might usually stand, well.... tiny thing fractures, remember?

"You have a plan on where we are going or just kind of wandering?" Not that Sage really cares either way.

[foxtrots]

That sarcasm has the opposite effect. It's familiar, an essential part of Sage, and that makes it more comfort than insult. Sage's sarcasm has never hurt him, only his silence.

Minsu blinks a couple of times at the grabby hands, before realizing what they're grabbing for. Sorry, he was just a little caught up in looking at him, breathing him in. Now the fox laughs, just a hint of cherry blossom pink touching his face. He nearly misunderstood the gesture, and that...could've been bad.

He places the thermos into Sage's hands instead, the warmth of the coffee inside of it easily felt. And if Minsu's fingers brush his...applaud his control that he stops there. It's easier for him to not be a monster than it is to be this close to Sage and not do more.

"I know a spot that probably isn't too crowded, if you want to avoid people." He doesn't have a strong preference himself, despite enjoying watching people. But right now the only thing he cares about is the witch's company. "We can try to tell ourselves apart from the flowers."

He thinks of another suggestion, eyebrows shooting up.

"I hear there are dances though. I know where that's at too."

[muskeg]

Minsu is warmth and barely contained energy, he is a constant that Sage is starting to come to understand (starting to rely on just a little), and it doesn't make his hackle rise when the barista stares a beat too long. Doesn't make Sage want to snarl with hard words when he lets his fingers linger or his body sway just a little towards the witch. It isn't-- it isn't meant to hurt him, Sage knows this much, and he is slowly learning to trust that. Just a little.

Enough that when he gets his hands around the thermos, hum behind his teeth at the warmth, he thinks nothing of leaning in to jostle his shoulder against Minsu's. Even if it brings him so close to the other, a position he is usually want to avoid.

"Mmm, as long as no one tries to take my coffee, I think I will leave that choice up to you." He enjoys watching people sometimes, as long as they don't try to pull him into a conversation or give him looks laced with judgement. Taking a sip of the coffee, ignoring the heat, Sage moans a little.

Yeah, he is more than a little easily swayed by your coffee prowess there, Minsu.

"I might lose you to the blossoms, you're right. Don't think I will blend in as well" The words are quiet but honest as he quirks a smile, brushing close again before nudging Minsu forward to move. It is clear that he will follow the other, hands wrapped around the coffee like a lifeline. "I don't know about dancing though that-- uh, not really something I am good with."

Well, he is. When he is drunk and pressed between sweaty bodies and beneath flashing lights. Middle of the day amongst blossoms? Not so much.

And yet-- "Maybe after lunch we can go watch them?"

[appetitive]

It was early evening when Magnus stepped behind the main bar counter in the Apothecary, intent on restocking some of the on-tap potions before the club filled with a night's worth of patrons. The place wasn't empty, per se, but there were few enough people that a magical presence walking through the club's wards was easily noticed. It was unusual and unfamiliar, a bit muggy where it brushed the edge of various spells Magnus had cast around the space. Such distinct magic had him guessing at its owner even before he saw the head of green hair bobbing towards him in the dim lighting.

"Sage, right?" he said with his eyes downcast as he finished mixing the right ratio of herbs and set it aside. Looking up, his eyes flashed gold as they caught the light of a chandelier above them. He rarely glamoured his eyes in the club—it was his, after all, and intended for it to be a safe space for supernatural beings such as himself—yet it was sometimes still unsettling to see the green-yellow eyes of a cat in the face of a man. "A pleasure to meet you in the flesh. Have a seat!"

[muskeg]

There is a shiver that passes through Sage was he walks in, a tang of unfamiliar, but not unpleasant, magic on the back of his tongue as he makes his way through the club. It was-- comforting in a way to know that there were those here that had the understanding of wards, and good protective ones at that. They were not easy to make and, well, Sage isn't all that surprised that this place is rife with them.

Making his way to the bar, there is a flicker of surprise when he hears his name, only for it to melt into understanding when he sees who is behind the counter. The witch hums and gives a small smile, noting the flask of gold and the pulse of power that seemed to hang around the warlock, sliding into a chair.

"Same, you have a wonderful establishment here. The wards... well they are fucking powerful, I am a little jealous." Impressed more than anything, and it shows with the way some of the edges and tensions bleed from Sage, leaving him looking a little more his age. He leans in, peering at the herbs. "What are you making, if you don't mind me asking? Alec raves about your drinks and potions all the time..."

The comment is absent-minded as he tries to figure out on his own what those herbs might be used for. Which he might have been able to do back at home, but here-- not so much.

[appetitive]

Magnus was pleased to see that Sage didn't seem unsettled by anything—the unfamiliar magic, the cat eyes, the recognition Magnus gave him— and took a step away from the corner of the bar dedicated to potion-making and over towards the alcohol. "Thank you, I do what I can. Most of it still looks the same as it did when it came to me, but I'm planning some redecorating when I have the time." He'd dealt with any eyesores immediately, but the bar was still largely minimalist apart from the ornate bar that brought to mind imagery that matched the establishment's name.

"As for the wards, this is a good taste of what I've set up at the apartment building. Hopefully it's not overwhelming?" As a residency as well as his personal sanctuary with Alec, the apartments were more heavily protected, so it wouldn't be easy for Sage to live there if the bar made him uncomfortable.

Turning to face him, Magnus leaned against the counter while smiling. He'd had an ulterior motive of inviting Sage to the bar, hoping they might get to talk about magic as well as potions. "Well, pleasure first and business after. Do you have a drink of choice, or at least an alcohol preference I can work with?" He could see the interest in Sage's face as he looked over the bowl of semi-crushed ingredients, and he was curious if he'd be able to recognize anything. There was the very real possibility that Magnus' magic was too different from whatever kind Sage brought with him, but it would be interesting to see if there was any overlap.

[muskeg]

Magic, for Sage, is a comfort. It isn't something terrifying or dangerous (though, considering his history maybe he should think that), but rather something that gives you a space that is all your own. A way to exist all your own. Finding a place like this, even if it was on an alien moon, where magic was embraced so openly and so powerfully was something that the witch never thought he would get to experience. He is really enjoying it.

And hey, if one of the most well protected and open places also happened to have alcohol? Well didn't that just work out well for Sage.

"Mmm, redecorating? Not all your choice then?" He casts a look about the place and-- well maybe there seem to be a few edges of discordance between the vibes of the place and the vibes of Magnus, but Sage wasn't about to judge either way. He lived in a house in the middle of the swamp decorated with plants and vines and shards of bone.

The question pulls his attention back and he shakes his head. "No, not even a little. It's-- it's kind of comforting to be honest. Even if it isn't the magic I am used to, reminds me of the swamp."

And he means that in the best way possible okay, in that there is protection and the feeling that someone cares, even if it is an ancient power that demands blood.

"I'm usually a straight whiskey sort, but as long as you don't make it too sweet or add cocount, should be good." There is a curl of his lips, something sharp in his eyes. Sage doesn't drink to enjoy the drink; he drinks to forget and get lost in things that are not his own mind or body. Though that is not at all the plan here (yet, habit may lead to him consuming more than he should really). "I also rather enjoy coffee, if that helps at all."

Lives off coffee really. Unfortunately, he is incredibly typical in that sense.

i;

[hasitsthorns]

"Oh my gosh, you little rascal-"

The chiding voice comes from a blond woman currently in pursuit of her runaway chocolate Labrador puppy. He is currently wiggling his way in-between Sage's legs, snuffling curiously because of those herbs but also- He's teething. And do you know what looks like it'd be awesome to chew on? This dude's shoes. So about half-way into his dash he's suddenly flopped over Sage's feet, tiny teeth clicking on a shoestring.

"Sorry, dude, sorry- I just. He's a handful. Labs, y'know, got infinite energy. Still training him!" This is all spoken frantically as Rose herself is now at his feet, scooping up the puppy easily. It gives a little growl of displeasure, gnawing instead against her hand now and clumsily wiggling his paws in the air.

[muskeg]

The only thing that keeps Sage from tripping over the puppy that is currently laying on his feet is the fact that, if he did trip, he would spill his precious coffee and that just is not okay. No. No spilling of the precious coffee ever thank you very much. So instead, the witch just stumbles a bit before blinking down and--

"Um, those-- those are probably covered in mud there fluffer..."

He is saved any more embarrassing talk with the dog as his owner approaches, hauling the puppy up with ease (and making Sage have to hide a smile behind his coffee cup in the process, damnit, dogs are so cute).

"... that-- I mean, uh, it's fine? Not like my shoes are in the best condition." A blink, his hand curling against the coffee cup a moment before he hesitates to hold it out, eyebrows raised. "Can I pet him? Her? And ... teething?"

He might have something that could help with that, a spell sachel that eased the younger racoons and foxes that were adopted as pets by him in the swamp that also kept destruction to a minimum.

[hasitsthorns]

Don't think Rose didn't hear Sage call her puppy a fluffer. That's adorable? Absolutely tucking it away for future mental reference, thanks. The puppy gives off little-dissatisfied grumbles as he keeps squirming in Rose's grasp. There are so many things to smell or chew or both!

"Of course, dude, go for it," she says to that, smiling bright. "He's a super affectionate little guy, I gotta' say." To prove her point, the puppy paws at Sage's outstretched hand. He's licking the air and space between them but trying desperately to reach the man's hand.

"Yeah, his big boy teeth are growing in. So everything is suddenly a chew toy to make it not hurt as much."

[muskeg]

Look, fluffer is the appropriate term for him okay. He is a fluffer, or a dust ball with legs and a tail and-- teeth. Sage reaches out, small smile still curling his lips, as he runs his fingers along the dog's head. There is more softness to him now in the presence of the dog than there has been in him for a long time.

"What's his name?" He refuses to admit that those words are nearly cooed as he scratches behind the dog's ear, faint smiling turning into a grin. "He's so cute, ohmygod."

Yup, someone is smitten. He will cave to all demands this puppy has for love an affection.

"I might be able to help with the teething thing, if you want? I uh-- I work with potions, but back home I had a few fox kits that liked to chew through everything so-- well, point is, I might be able to make it bother him less if you want?"

Bakery Bro's

[wayfaring_stranger]

Jace isn't buying. He's researching new ideas and his charming smile and casual conversation gets him quite a few free samples. The bakery has a lot of great options and a friendly cashier who is happily setting up a few more selections for him to try while he asks about her favorites.

He has a small notepad with quite a few little scribbled ideas listed already.

[muskeg]

Usually Sage kept to himself, didn't go out of his way to talk to other people that he didn't have to, and didn't start conversations with randoms that were in the same bakeries as himself. Usually, he goes in with metaphorical blinders on and goes out without a single glance around him. However, today is a bit different not just because isn't just going about his regular routine, but because he is also paying just a bit more attention to the world around him.

Which is why he notices the runes. Tattoos. Whatever, Sage still doesn't really know what they are, just that the marks on this guy's skin are nearly identical to the ones that Alec has. He still has to get the other to explain the use of them to him, one day, but for now--

"So, I take it that you are Alec's parakeet then?" Yup, that is spoken to you there, blondie, Sage looking just a little amused and a little confused as he tries to figure out what the marks mean.

[wayfaring_stranger]

Jace continues to chew on a sample of sponge cake with lemon drizzle and slowly looks over at whoever spoke to him. Not someone he recognizes, but they seem to know Alec.

Parakeet?

He's definitely raising an eyebrow at that.

"I'm Alec's parakeet. Who are you?"

[muskeg]

You raise that eyebrow, but you agreed with him. Parakeet makes so much more sense than a pair of bad ties which is also what Sage thought the word was at first. So, bad tie or weird bird, take your pick.

Sage snorts, eyes still tracing the lines and curves on his skin, clearly curious but not quite at the point of asking about them. Well, asking you, he might actually ask Alec. Instead, Sage quirks a grin at him and taps his fingers on the counter, looking between the samples Jace has and the pastries behind the counter.

"Sage, I just moved into the apartments Alec and Magnus manage." A flicker of a glance between the runes and the pastries. "Any recommendations on what's good here?"

for Peter

[muskeg]

The best part about this whole being on an alien moon thing is that unlike back home, making potions all day is something that actually pays for Sage. Sure, he made enough of a decent living back home selling his spells and potions and charms, but here? Here he has an actual job with an actual title and people want him to study and learn and create potions of his own as a job. And how fucking awesome is that?

Sage thinks it is pretty awesome.

Even if it does lead to him lying sprawled, face down, on the grass outside the institute sometimes, trusty leather-bound notebook flopped open next to him, and a small burnt patch of earth not too far from him. Sometimes, as Sage is discovering with painful frequency, the plants and herbs here do not react the same way he expects them to. Maybe it is the moon, maybe it is the plants themselves, whatever it is, that was supposed to be a growth potion not a blow-up-in-your-face potion.

"Ow..."

[thestarling]

Peter isn't actually sure what to expect from Gramarye, when he finally finds the time to really go investigate the place. He supposes part of him was expecting something like the Folly, a great empty victorian mausoleum of a building with magic soaked into the walls. And well, he'd certainly gotten the magic part right. There's so much vestigia in the place that it practically gives him a headache before he adjusts to the ambient spell remnants.

Not so much with the emptiness, though. The sound of something exploding jars him away from where he'd been studying the rows and rows of books, and sends Peter running towards the source before he's stopped to think about it. That is not usually a good sound, when it comes to magic.

He skids to a stop in front of the body on the floor, but it does at least seem to be moving, so that's something. "You alright, mate?"

[muskeg]

You would think that, after spending the better half of his life steeped in magic, Sage would have a better understanding of the whole 'start small' then go big idea; it was useful when you didn't want to burn your damned eyebrows off. But maybe he had gotten a little complacent in his age (or something) because fuck if that didn't hurt.

The witch just lay there for a moment, even at the sound of approaching footsteps, pride a little more wounded than anything else at the moment.

"Uh, yeah. Fine. Mostly." He sits up, brows furrowed and presses his hand to this face (he might be checked to see if he still has eyebrows, m i g h t). "Fuck, that was not what was supposed to happen. Why the fuck can't shit just-- be normal here?"

for Alec

[muskeg]

Looking back at it, Sage really has no idea why he agreed to do this; sparring. He was more or less composed of spite and bones and sarcasm, and honestly, there wasn't enough muscle on him to land a decent punch even if he wanted, well if he didn't have his magic. Most of the time, he relied on the charms that he had looped into his body piercings, the speed charm that fit snugly in his ear, the strength charms that fit in his navel or pelvic piercing, the stamina potions he could drink before he needed to be put together for a long while. Apparently, that wasn't enough. (It really wasn't, but that didn't mean Sage was going to look happy about having his ass beat no matter how nice Alec was about it).

So, here he is, dressed in sweatpants he is sure he didn't own before this and a shirt that he might have borrowed from someone that wasn't him in the size of it is anything to go by, but hey-- he showed up and not in jeans.

The witch pads into the gym on the second floor, bottle of water (not a potion like he thought about) no glints of metal on his person anywhere, and gives Alec a half nod and a smile.

"So, um... I suppose I don't need to preface this with I have no background in hand to hand combat at all, yeah? "

[angelic_archer]

Alec really hadn't been surprised that Sage didn't know how to fight. Most mundanes never learned and if someone had magic, they probably thought they didn't need those skills. But if Sage was going to run off and get in trouble, then he needed to know how to defend himself. The fact that Alec and his husband both liked the witch had something to do with that as well.

While he waited for Sage, he walked around the gym, checking the equipment and considering what would be best to teach his new student. He had the feeling that Sage would be impatient to learn, wanting quick 'tricks' instead of longer study. Alec knew enough of those that he could give Sage an advantage in a fight, but there should be something long-term as well, if Sage wanted it.

He was considering possibilities for that type of training when he heard Sage enter the gym. Turning around, he arched an eyebrow at how different the witch looked. He hadn't been sure if Sage would take this seriously. His eyes brighten with amusement when he realized that the clothes obviously weren't Sage's. "I didn't expect you to have any training," Alec answered, tone lighter than his usual snarking. "Before we start, what type of training do you want? I can show you ways to get out of trouble or it can be more than just sparring a couple of times."

[muskeg]

It would probably be in Sage's best interest to know how to fight, especially considering how often he ran his damn mouth off in bars back home, and yet-- well he found other ways to deal with those issues that involved just as many bruises but fewer punches. He was really beginning to realize that that way of dealing with things might not work on weird as fuck monsters here. He probably doesn't want it to either. That and-- well honestly, he wanted to spend more time with Alec, and Magnus, not really being able to help himself with how he looked up to the two of them.

Never before in his life had Sage had people that could be seen as positive role models in any sense of the word, and well-- those two came close enough.

Which is why he is here, in clothing that is too big, no makeup on his face and no jewellery on his body, ready to learn as much as he can. If it ends up being a stress reliever, well then that is awesome too.

"Good, because then I would just disappoint you." He sets the water bottle down before walking in closer, eyes going all over the gym as he takes it all in, snapping back to Alec when he is spoken to. "Uh, whatever kind of training you think is best? I mean, I am kind of notorious for mouthing off... and headed into the swamp unsupervised. And I'm not opposed to learning more?"

[illusionistic]

Aeacinos will arrive shortly after Sage. He'll be dressed in one of his typical robes, nothing sutiable for venturing out into the wilderness that's for sure. But Aeacinos's scales on his tail are armor enough for him. He looks at the offered coffee with a curious glance before taking it and sipping it, eyebrow raising slightly at the sudden overpowering taste.

"This is what you humans drink? Coffee yes?" He takes another sip then just gulps the rest of it down like it's not hot or too strong at all. Perks to being able to eat whatever he wants.

"It is quite good, perhaps it needs a bit of flavor though." Hm well maybe after their little adventure he can go taste test some varying flavors.

"You are ready to leave, yes? We should depart soon before it gets too late."

[muskeg]

The witch watches with a flicker of awe as Aeacinos downs the coffee after that first, tentative sip. Damn, you have to teach him how to do that, he could consume so much more coffee and be so much more alive if he could ignore the scalding coffee temperatures.

"Uh, yeah. Coffee, that was-- black. So nothing in it, usually that is how I drink it but... most people like a little cream or sugar in it." Or a lot of sugar. And whipping cream. And sprinkles and whatever else might hide the taste of actual coffee. "I can direct you to a good barista in the city if you want to try out some good coffee. Tell him Sage sent you."

You might even get a free pastry out of the deal.

"I'm set to head out." There is a nod as he swallows another mouthful of coffee, gesturing for the other to lead on. "And, uh, thanks again for agreeing to this. I appreciate it. "

[illusionistic]

It's pretty easy to do when you can moderate your body temperatures so scalding hot coffee instantly turns cooler without much effort. Still Aeacinos will nod as he listens with attention.

"I would like that. I wish to try other flavors. I do not normally drink this coffee, but it is something you humans consume on a regular basis." Hm. He'll definitely have to try more out then. He'll give a dismissive wave of his hand there and then.

"It is no trouble. I enjoy the freedom that beyond the wall holds."