aefenglom | voice; un: hiccup haddock

[That's a distinctive nasally tone coming in over the voice channel this fine morning.] Hi. Hey. It's Hiccup. I'm, uh- Hello to the newest arrivals. This is partly to uh- sometimes we don't always, show up with everything we'd like to have, so if you plan to go past the wall and don't have weapons or armor, I run the Forge just outside town with Percy. We're both smiths and we do commission work, so- you know. If you need anything. We also do enchantments! Mostly me.

But-! That's not, really what I'm here for today. [He has more important priorities right now than advertising the Forge.] I thought I'd try asking around, since- Well. I need to find a Bond, or potential Bond, for my friend. Preferably a Monster, but uh, at this point even a Witch would be better than nothing. My friend is- a little irritable sometimes, but he's a really good guy, and he's very talented and smart, and has some pretty neat hobbies. They should be patient and have a sense of humor, and be willing to keep him from working too hard once in a while. To- to be a friend.

So, um. Let me know, and I can set you up to see if things work out! [A pause.] This really is for a friend, by the way, not... not me. [Yeah that's convincing. He manages to tell the truth and still sound like he's being avoidant of the truth somehow.]

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[S...quints. Vampires, sure, he doesn't think Percy has a problem with vampires, but going straight into feeding talk has him a little unsure.]

I- I mean, I definitely don't know how he feels about being bitten. [He sounds dubious.] That's- that's a little much, isn't it?

It would, uh. That would be a conversation for... him... in the meeting phase...

It is, but unfortunately, I have to live with it. I didn't sign up for it, either, mind you. Though... yes, I suppose it's a bit shocking to spring right away.

Are there any other qualities in someone he might be looking for? Physical, personality, anything?

I never said you did, but- but yeah, that's- that's maybe a lot for a first impression. [Do people Bonded to vampires do that? Just offer up their blood? Hiccup is sometimes very glad he's bonded to a fellow Witch and doesn't have to deal with questions like that, even if he has to deal with other downsides.]

Uh... I'm not sure, every time the topic of him finding a Bond comes up, he kind of just. Rolls his eyes at me and insists he's definitely not going to explode. [So he hasn't gotten far in the 'what kind of qualities would you look for' department.] Tell me about yourself! Why- why are you looking for another bond?

Hah. A stubborn one, then? Perhaps I can try to help with that.

As for me, I like crafting and working with my hands a lot. Cooking, sewing, and smithing in particular. I've been busying myself with those lately in lieu of socializing much... hence my predicament. I felt like getting my foot in the door in a less time-sensitive manner would help with that, given that I sleep during the daylight hours when everyone else is active.

He's got some pretty crafty hobbies too. [Just short of coming out and saying 'he's my fellow smith down at the forge, how do you do'.] Unfortunately, uh. I think vampires might be out. He's definitely not okay with biting and said he hasn't had the... best experiences... Still if, if biting wasn't on the table, maybe?

Not that I can entirely blame him. Is it the thought of biting he takes issue with, or vampires in general? I'm fine leaving that off to the side if it's more prudent.

Honestly, either way, I'd be happy to meet him even if a Bond doesn't end up forming. What kinds of crafts, specifically?

Well, I can go ahead and give him your contact- do you mind if I-? But, uh, yeah, no biting. He's not in on the biting.

[And here he laughs nervously.] Well, they're- they're some pretty niche hobbies, but hey, that's something to talk about, right! Small talk is so hard, it's better if you've got a conversation topic already lined up.

That'd be all right, yes.

Niche how? I don't think there's such a thing, personally. Every hobby has something it lends to, even if it's just entertainment.

Just hobbies that not a lot of people are into, that I know of. A few, sure, but- you know. It's niche enough it'd probably give away his identity and I'm only going to do that for- for people who might... want to talk to him, you know. It's not actually my intention to embarrass him into Valhalla. [He's so awkward.]

Ah... I understand. My apologies, I didn't think of it that way.

[private]

I must admit, though, it's not looking terribly promising. He's really digging in his heels... and I don't know what to tell him, since he seems convinced it's his problem only. Like the people who care about him and are worried for him aren't part of the equation somehow...

[Wow that felt fast.]

wait what? what
what did you even say to him?

Nothing outrageous, I assure you. I asked him a little about his hobbies, and then for his reasons why he wasn't interested in Bonding, to which he maintained his continued disinterest despite the potential risks. It wasn't really much of a conversation...

i thought
i thought it was just going to be a nice 'get to know you' kind of talk, you
you didn't have to push the bond thing right away! he's stubborn but
you
you know that's a lot to get into with a near stranger right?

gods this was a terrible idea, i am an idiot

I only asked him a question, I wasn't trying to push him into it! No need to make me feel like an idiot...

He didn't seem all that interested in the conversation either, to be fair. All his answers were pretty short, regardless of what it was I asked.

Should I... go apologize or something?

i'm not, that's just
it sounds like it was a pretty personal question
he barely talks to me about the whole... bonding thing and i see him practically every day

maybe it just wasn't going to work
it's my fault, this was stupid

i mean that's between you and him

Based on what was said, I don't think you're wrong to be worried, though. He seems like the type who won't acquiesce until and unless it becomes a problem, and perhaps not even then. And I have heard it's not safe to stay unbonded for either side...

Unfortunately, it's the sort of thing that may have to be left to happenstance if he's not willing to nip the issue in the bud.

that's
that's a little judgmental, don't you think?
you don't know his whole situation from one short conversation and the little i've said here

sure i worry but
i also don't want him to go out and just bond anybody
it's personal and that's why i only just wanted to let him meet some people to see what happened

No, but are you really that determined to make me into the villain? If he wants to meet people, no matter the practical purpose, it seems like he's more interested in meeting them at his own pace through his own means, and trying to force it won't accomplish that. That's all. Whatever the reason, I'm not about to go around painting him in a negative light because of it. And if I'm missing something, by all means tell me, rather than accusing me of bias.

There's still the consequences to deal with, though. If he does hit that point, perhaps it'll give him a change of heart? It may just take more time.

odin's beard.
nobody's a villain here and nobody's forcing anybody into anything?
i just wanted to see if there were any people he might hit it off with

but you did come off sounding kind of judgmental about his situation and that's my friend.

look, it didn't work out. sorry for the trouble.

If that was how it read, I apologize. It wasn't my intent.

Anyroad, he did mention to me I was welcome to use the forge... Do you suppose that offer still stands, or should I look elsewhere?

voice; un: hiccup haddock

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