IC INBOX = KAISOU

[anyprice]

Hey there, fam!! Caught me at a bad time! I might be in between jobs or, heheh, in between worlds even!! Leave ol' Sampo a message and he'll get STRAIGHT back to you as soon as he can! You can count on me!

username: Mr.ColdFeet

✉ ☏ 📷

Comments

text; on ac island; un: midnightfishing

[illucesco]

[A year ago, this is the kind of question Noctis would’ve posed to his dad. But Regis is gone, and Sam’s here instead, so Noctis sighs and texts him at some point while fishing:]

hey sam quick hypothetical.

what would you do if you ended up with weapons and things that hurt you to use, but even if they hurt, they’re still really useful?

and you can’t sell them to people because you’re worried that if they use it, it might hurt them even more. or cause instant horrible death in one case.

and like. what do you think that might say about your past life?

[anyprice]

...Now, I'll answer this 'hypothetical' if you'll tell me if it actually IS a hypothetical or not
because truth be told old buddy this does NOT sound like a fun 'maybe what if haha!' sort of thing, you know??

In my opinion, using powers that hurt you is a little dumb. even if something is really useful, you only got one life, kid! I've been desperately trying to stay alive and healthy for years, using something that'll chunk my life span sounds like a pain in my ass.

if this is a past life issue and a power you suddenly got, id tell my past life he was an idiot for putting anyone--and himself--in danger for using things that are clearly a double-edged sword.

belated b-day gift; april 1

[illucesco]

[Left in front of the teapot at Auguries is a box. Inside it is a nice black-and-white scarf wrapped carefully around a can of Mace pepper spray and a fishing lure, and a note, written in Noctis's familiar, somewhat hurried scrawl: I found the scarf while digging around my closet, and figured you might like it. The kitsune tell me the lure's a lucky one, and I'm pretty sure you're gonna need it and the Mace. Please don't disappear again. Noct.

The part that's been struck out can be read with some effort put into deciphering what he blotted out with Wite-Out. The lure is, in fact, the single lucky fishing lure Noctis got off the kitsune a few months back.]

[anyprice]

[ ... well. the next time Noct sees Sampo, he's going to be wearing that colorful fishing lure on a tassel on his belt. ]

5/1; before all hell breaks loose

[rubicund]

[Sampo is probably doing his best to lay low, but regardless, a softly-glowing wraith butterfly finds him wherever he is. It flutters around him for a little while and then alights gently on his shoulder. Normally when Hua Cheng needs a message delivered he'd just send a (typed) card or letter, but this time he's skipped a step, because instead there's his husky tone right in Sampo's ear as the butterfly replays a message.]

"I have a job for you. If you're interested, come find me at the usual place."

[It'd definitely take an act of war to get Hua Cheng to leave his little golden paradise of a gambling hall, but it's looking more and more likely...]

oh good lord

[anyprice]

[ here he is, minding his business, considering being a hermit inside a certain golden man's teapot until the Black Order either went to war or imploded on themselves and he nearly jumps out of his skin as his bossman's voice comes from a little butterfly that's landed on him.

That's on him for dozing off, he supposes, and he sure fuckin' hopes Hua Cheng didn't hear that.

...it's probably something real important if he'd go through all this trouble, though, so...

Within an hour, Sampo is showing up at Hua Cheng's little corner of paradise, although his appearance isn't his own--but at least, it's an appearance that Hua Cheng has probably seen Sampo use before to get around without looking like himself. ]

If your aim was to pull a prank on me to scare me outta my skin, you succeeded. Sending one of your little fellas isn't really your usual M.O. Did I forget to give you my current address?

Gift - Backdated to bday party

[dancedwithplenty]

[Sometime during the pool party, a gift bag is left on the gift pile. The type of gift bag that clearly holds a bottle - most likely alcoholic.]

[Inside is a bottle of Snoop Dogg red wine and a note.]

Happy bday stranger!
If you prefer rosé, lmk and I can switch it up for u
Enjoy your day~
- Dani (thedancer)

text; gemini, un: midnightfishing | after cu's post

[illucesco]

stay in the teapot for now. don't come over to my place, got ardyn hiding out here for a while.

i knew this would be the worst fourth of july i've ever had but i have to admit it's for very very different reasons than i thought.

sorry for replyin to this late! this has been a week

[anyprice]

Oh boy, trust me when I say I'm not going anywhere. This stuff is getting terrifying, you know?

I'm uh
What happened on the Fourth? I heard people got attacked.
I'm safe but
hey
don't go runnin' facefirst into too much trouble

You got it, kid?

text; un: midnightfishing | 08/01

[illucesco]

wanna learn how to warp?

[anyprice]

wait hold on what do you mean

like
learn how YOU warp??
you can just teach that to a guy??

text, un: jingnyan | after checking on gil.

[pranas]

Mimi will be staying with you and Gil until this is all over.

[ what he doesn't mention is his intention not to rest until they have found something to help Sampo, what he doesn't mention is the fear and guilt that has gripped him in equal measure. ]

[anyprice]

[ please rest he does not need his buddies risking their own health over his own stupidity omg!!! but

all the same he's...
hm,

hm. ]

my dear buddy nyannyan
you know what happened the last time you left mimi here!
what happens if gil tries to keep her again! woe, woe.
you should just come stay for a bit too.

[ dont put yourself into danger. ]

Deliverly!

[jaxoff]

[ Sometimes you're just sitting in your home, trying to cope with the crushing horror of your inability to feel pain and the nightmare on the horizon for you. Sometimes you are doing that and Bug's Bunny's weird cousin shows up at your door and knocks it. Jax looks tired. He wishes he was dead. He is pretty sure someone is specifically targeting him for candygrams now.

He's holding the bouquet of dethroned roses in one hand and is holding his phone up with the other. The second Sampo opens the door, Jax presses a button on his phone. A recorded cat meowing plays up. He will not do this. You cannot make him. His face remains impassive the entire time. Then, when the meowing is done, in the driest voice known to man: ]

I loaf you. Meow and forever. I'm not paid enough for this.

Delivery!

[myriadeclipse]

[ A box was sent to Sampo's esteemed residence. Inside the multiple boxes things are always sent in, Sampo will find a thin box black and purple box with the symbol of Mockingbird printed on the top.

Inside, there is a solid gold link bracelet and a small note.

See you soon, Old Friend
- Mockingbird.]

[anyprice]

[ OH MY GOD WHY ARE YOU HERE, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

THIS IS A NIGHTMARE

...the bracelet is nice, though...

WAIT NO THAT'S NOT IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW WHY IS HUGO IN KAISOU *HELP*

surely this is going to be fine maybe hes just visiting surely he's not on the app right surely
excuse him he has to go whine about this to anyone who might listen for a moment before he faces the music and accepts this is happening
he'll find your ass and text you on the app soon ]

text; un: AUO

[throwmoreswords]

[ look I know we're in the same house but. ]

Help me find the wine cellar.

You will not believe how the phone call I just had with my father just went.

[anyprice]

I'm in the kitfchen making waafffllessss do you want me to bring you some they got blueberries cooked in so you can just snack on them while u walk

...

wait huh your dad didnt you like, tell me before that he called you about as often as cicadas come out of the ground or something huh

*huh* girl wha

action;

[throwmoreswords]

[ there's a certain malevolent glitter in Gilgamesh's eye as he turns to appraise his partner. ]

Sam.

Samuel.

Perhaps, given that English is the third of my languages, I've read the message wrong.

What did Lycaon write underneath his delightful looking menu?

[anyprice]

[ Sampo pauses, mid-gaze at the menu, fingers thumbing a coin he'd stolen from gil's pocket. Cleanly flipping it around behind his fingers a moment before it disappears, he moves to point at the bottom right corner of the menu. ]

Oh, that? I think he wrote his signature!

[ he knows that's not at ALL what gil's talking about. ]

text; un: midnightfishing

[illucesco]

so. bad news.

do you still have leftover meteor ore?

this one got lost

[anyprice]

[ ...shit not another one... ]

You're kidding me. That sketchy fuck sold another one of these things?! What is he thinking!!

Christmas Delivery 12/25;

[paraselenic]

[This was delivered at the same time as Gilgamesh's. Naturally, it's not nearly as grand as our king's, but it is a high quality box, black with gold lining that feels like it could hold a number of small items. Keys, IDs, watches, you name it.

Inside the box are two bags: one is a bag of the honey-roasted pistachios that Sampo had liked on their first meeting. The card inside lists the ingredients as well as Lycaon's signature. They're even dusted with a bit of cinnamon sugar this time, as a little extra flavor. The second bag is a bag of gummies. Should Sampo try one, not only will they be filled with a fruit juice made by Lycaon himself (think rich person Gushers), but the flavor will NOT be the same favor as the gummy itself. As chaotic and random as Aha was to his cake, and hopefully a fun time for Sampo.

Next is a candle in the scent of spun sugar. An odd choice to give SAMPO of all people, but...here we are.

Third, it's a ...sandwich? That's what it sure looks like, anyway. It seems to be filled with the oddest bunch of ingredients, ranging from banana slices to potato salad to...is that grass? That's definitely grass. The tape on the sandwich's wrapping has 'From Veronika' written on it in Lycaon's handwriting.

Finally, there's a small ziploc bag of the Herba Mystica, still dried and pressed.

Underneath all this is a note from Lycaon:]

A very Merry Christmas to you, Mr. Koski.

I hope you are enjoying your holiday with Sir Gilgamesh and the rest of your home. Please enjoy these treats I prepared for you, and feel free to share them with Sir Gilgamesh as well. One are the honey-roasted pistaschios you were so fond of when we first met. I felt it pertinent that I give you the treat that made you put faith in me. I dusted them with a little cinnamon in the sugar as well. You're the first to try this flavour, so let me know what you think.

The second bag are gummy candies. I don't want to ruin the surprise, so I won't elaborate on them. Rest assured, as soon as you eat one, you'll understand.

The candle...well. Your scent has always been hard to track. You seem to disappear like footprints in the river. But I think I was able to narrow down just what scent your 'soul' is and I've provided it in this candle below. Sugar is an interesting choice. Perhaps it speaks to parts of yourself you bury under the jester antics. That's just my hypothesis, though.

Veronika insisted on gifting you something, so she assembled a sandwich with minimal help from me. She told me the ingredients and I simply...assembled it as she requested. I'm sorry. To look at this in a positive light, I think she's fond of you...in her own way.

As for the last item...It is the Herba Mystica we found. While its lost its luster, obviously, I wanted to give you the last sample I had that wasn't my own. Consider it a 'head start' in the search for more. The greatest gift I can provide you is the window of opportunity.

I wanted to thank you, Mr. Koski. Sampo. For giving me an opportunity like you did. It was not something you needed to do, and I'm grateful you saw the value in my skills enough to pass me along to Sir Gilgamesh. It wasn't until later that I learned that you and Hugo also had a history, but...I don't think he's nearly as prickly about that shared past you have as he likes to say he is. That's my inflection, at least, take it as you will.

I don't know if anyone has ever said this to you, but you are a truly kind individual.

May the Moon bless you always.

-Lycaon 🌕

P.S. I am not sure of your moon phase for 2026, as your birthday was never relayed to me. But if you would like to tell me at any date, I would be happy to indulge you. It's no more 'telling' than a horoscope, but it is fun. Let me know.

12/8-ish

[clawsomeproprietress]

[Cifera runs and finds Sampo, using her speed that she totally hasn’t been abusing since she got it. Once she finds him she yells in a panic.]

PIERROT! I need help, I signed up for a drag competition and I have no idea how to do my makeup. Hell I don’t wear regular makeup, for this I am completely lost. This seems like something in your wheelhouse though, would you help a girl out? Oh preferably something that could withstand a fight, I also plan on fighting Santa after.

Re: 12/8-ish

[anyprice]

[ aoaugGJKFJASDGSDG GIRL ANNOUNCE YOURSELF WHEN YOU JUST SHOW UP LIKE THAT? He looks like he almost had a heart attack but

upon hearing her, he sort of finds his calm and goes straight into staring at her with a grin, instead. ]]

....Girl, I'm your dude when it comes to makeup. I can make you *shine!* Especially for that 'im fighting in the rain' necessity too--a good powder does wonders.

Uh... can I ask what all this is for, though?

mid Jan

[nogitsunetsuki]

[ Somewhere in the depths of Mount Holly, a distinctive red-garbed doll has appeared. That somewhere... just happens to change, from time to time, for as long as she can go unnoticed. Some days, she's in the commissary. Others, she can be found in the courtyard, or the observatory. Sometimes she's in the aquarium (or one of them...), drifting with the fish!

On this day in particular, the doll is sitting in the parlor, on top of one of the puzzle boxes. The note underneath her says "MISS SPARKLE KNOWS WHERE THE GEMS ARE". The other boxes say "MISS SPARKLE DOES NOT KNOW WHERE THE GEMS ARE", and "MISS SPARKLE TOOK THE GEMS" respectively. Regardless of which answer is the truth, one thing is clear.

Miss Sparkle will no longer be ignored. ]

Sampooooo... Sammyyyyy... Sampo-taaaaaaan...

[anyprice]

[ Honestly, he just thinks it's Aha, messing with him. He hasn't seen Sparkle in an AGE, now, she's always moving around almost more frantically than he did--what reason would she have to be haunting him right now?

Aha liked to play tricks on HIM, too, after all--so he assumes that's what the notes were. Aha pretending to be his old friend, the one who taught him most of his favorite tricks--but.

But.

When that ... cursed fucking doll finally speaks with a voice that is UNMISTAKABLE...

Sampo has to stop and stare at it.
As if it's a predator.
As if, when he stops moving, it won't be able to hunt and detect him.

But he knows better. he knows so much better. ]

...Aw, come on.

Really.
THIS is how you say hello to an old pal?

...
You could have come to see me in person, you know.

Voice; un: devilchild

[myriadeclipse]

[ Hugo sounds like he's on the move, but he had enough time to leave a message for his favorite clown.

Unfortunately, the message is all in French and he doesn't sound particularly happy. The tone certainly doesn't seem like he is saying good things about his dear friend. Actually, it sounds like some of the words are German. How did those get in there?

After a few heated, scathing line, he pauses, letting the sounds of the city take over the line until he finds it in his heart to remember the English language.]

You built this on a tower of lies, and I should have known you'd be just like them.

[ ...

That seems to be it. He ends the message there. ]

[anyprice]

[ okay this is
startling

especially after the last interaction he had with hugo was kind of... nice. He'd been tentatively considering that maybe they were getting to be on a better track with one another, but--

He doesn't speak German. Or French. But he thinks he does recognise at least one scathing curse word thrown at him. Hello!? What did he do? what... ]

You--

[ he stares at his phone and he tries, desperately to call hugo back.

If he doesn't answer, he'll try to leave a message. That is, if his number isn't blocked. he'll try to text him, too. It'll be a simple 'hey talk to me, i didn't lie to you, please' ]