- he pleased... Ah, more important issues.

"Seems like you might be in a bit of trouble?"

He gestured towards the direction of the noises.

The moment he was dragged behind the wall and overcame the initial surprise of this, his lips curled into a playful smile.

"Time traveler isn't exactly the term I would use. And I would rather not return. It's not like I am unable to."

He was completely capable of coming and going as-

"I have a few friends like you, I have had to learn their preferences~"

He chuckled at her reaction, eying her with a smile, though, while mentioning vampires, his eyes did sink briefly..

"You said you have not met many tile you, how come?"

"An alias is only used for my businesses. It's constantly changing, since it has to. Have to hide my immortality somehow. Feel free to call me Ji Zheng."

She'll enjoy it. It was, after all, made specifically for the more... sanguine patrons. It included blood, after all.

- be Damian Khirst."

He gladly accepted the extended hand and shook it.

"No need, I have too much time on my hands anyway. Besides, we are all supernaturals, I hate the notion of a hierarchy of any kind."

He might be somewhat well known to those that were in the circle, but he never paid it much attention.

"Ji Zheng. Or, well, my alias would-

- recognize what you are quite easily."

"Well, my kind rarely mingle. I get the privilege mainly because I'm what's considered a 'High Warlock'. Most of them are too preoccupied with other things."

Mainly, either studying or doing the bidding of their links, or, well, patrons.

"A close friend of mine is a Vampire, which is why I could-

"Ah, those were very lazy guesses, but I appreciate you for indulging me~"

He let out a clear chuckle, moving to take another sip from the jar. He had spent enough time with someone who had become a vampire about 2500 years ago, give or take.

"The last one is close enough. I'm a Warlock."

He swirled the jar around for a moment with a smile. He was completely calm and relaxed, the way he was leaning against the bar.

"Hm... Want to take a guess~? I'll tell you after 3 guesses~"

"Yes, your kind~"

He nodded, taking a sip from his jar, golden orbs observing her for a moment. It was not difficult to tell. Not for him, at least.

"In that case, I recommend trying Scarlet Midnight, the bartender here is quite good at making it.. Or, so I hear. Can't say I have tried it myself."

"Must be your first time here. I come here quite often~"

The old looking clay jar was placed in front of him and when he opened it, emitted a lovely floral scent, along with a strand of steam. Heated wine.

"Though, I am surprised, your kind usually find this place quite quickly~"

- exit had been placed a bit too high up. So, after scurrying to his feet and taking a few steps back, he offered an apologetic bow.

"I still can't get the coordinates right..."

{ @oftrustvalues.bsky.social }

As per usual, he didn't know where he was. Though, judging by the energy of the person he had crashed into when exiting another failed portal, this wasn't just a regular world.

"My apologies! Let me get off first..."

Did I say crashed? I meant FELL ON. The portal-

-was a good idea to take a small break for a bit.

"Could I get some coffee and something sweet with it?"

The warlock didn't even feel like putting on the smile he usually wore when interacting with people. He felt too tired for it. He looked like someone who had spent multiple nights awake anyway.

‪{ @cnblcrpse.bsky.social }

After a week of searching, the warlock came up empty handed. A week wasn't that long, usually it could take months, even years, but he was hoping to be done by now.

With a sigh and an unusually dejected demeanour, he entered the closest café he could find. Perhaps it -

- simply couldn't pinpoint the exact location.

After all, this place was still unfamiliar to him.

{ @fearhimself.bsky.social }

"Excuse me, I know this is rather out of nowhere, but do you know where I can find something like this~?"

With his best friendly smile he had approached the stranger, unfolding an ink drawing of a strange looking sword. He knew it was... Somewhere around here, he-

𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓼 𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓕𝓮𝓪𝓻 𝓱𝓲𝓶𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯.”

- when this is?"

Not a usual question, but he couldn't help himself. Stopping the first passer by was the best option he could think of.

{ @illyanarasputinn.bsky.social }

Another portal, another world. But as always, he was bad at calculating the exits, so he found himself in a place he didn't recognize. Then again, it was a different world, so he wouldn't recognize it in the first place.

"Excuse me, could you tell me where and-

{ @sanguinesoiree.bsky.social }

The Warlock settled into his seat, right by the bar, tapping the counter without a word to let the bartender know that he wanted the usual.

"I've never seen you here before~"

A pleasant smile turned towards the figure in the seat besides him.

//Apologies for dropping after that interaction call, I'll get on them soon, life happened 😓

"Oh? And how did you get in here, dear (READER)? And what brings you here~?"

Currently staring intently at [READER].

"...?"

The sounds of a flute are spreading throughout the forest.

Seems like the old warlock is in a musical mood.

"Ha..."

He shut the book in front of him and leaned back in his seat, head tilting back to gaze onto the ceiling.

"With nothing to do, I am tempted to travel again... But where should I go this time?"

Deep sleep~

He has found a new hobby.

Mixing drinks!

(Disclaimer: Don't try them, for your own safety.)