aefenglom | video; un: aquila

Entry tags:

video; un: aquila

Name: Jasper
Date: 8/2
Format: Video

[An elegant man sits behind a writing desk with both feet ungraciously raised on the grain. Pristine white sleeves rolled to his elbows, his spotless waistcoat embroidered with gold. The heroic image is shattered by the expression upon his face; quiet and solemn as the grave. Fingers massage where his neck and shoulder meet before he utters a word.]

May I have the pleasure of your ear a moment? I am informed by the Coven that I would do well to find a partner. Only they encourage me against their better judgement, as I am afraid I am a terrible partner for anybody.

[He does little but focus on playing with his fringe for ten seconds, maybe twenty.]

So forgive the ironic curiosity - it will kill me one of these days - and kindly share what you like to see in a partner. Age? Beauty? Perhaps you harbour a fondness for wealth?

Sentimental fools believing in love and friendship need not waste my time.

If the first, I should laugh. If the second, I should call you a fool.

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[Jasper carefully masks a cold expression on his face and doesn't share a whole lot of anything. Not his bearing nor his words. Like her, he has thought plenty on the subject, and like her it is an uncomfortable one to dwell upon.]

My criteria is as simple as yours.

[It sounds insulting but that's one result of brevity.]

So long as every candidate has undergone basic training and is not a complete waste of time and effort, then I will at least be amenable to a request for partnership.

[Whether he accepts it is less certain.

Except not really. He hardly looks like a happy man surrounded by friends.]

Fair enough.

[He knows what he wants, and truthfully, it's not as though any of them can ask for more than that in this situation. Thanks to the necessity of it, while there may be a small amount of choosiness involved, the growing urgency of the matter means that simpler criteria is a must.

Carefully guarded as he is, however, she finds it hard to believe that he could make himself 'amenable' to much of anything, though she keeps that to herself. Amenable or not, he's practical. They all have to be, whether they like it or not.]

Given your own background, anyone with similar criteria would at least find that to be mutually beneficial. It's... almost like a business transaction for Mirrorbound, isn't it.

[They don't have time for it to be anything more than that, unlike the natives.]

[One second later, an enigmatic smile. Coldness remains behind his eyes, a prideful glow spreading across his face, down his arms and to his fingers. Knowing what they do about each other, their common past, this conversation is easier than it might be with most.

He fiddles with his fringe and offers an idle wave of his hand.]

Oh, absolutely. Do you not think that makes it a fairer deal all round?

[He has his reasons for that. Not that she'll ever know it.]

[Though a part of her is saddened by the idea of entering into such an arrangement with another person in a way that seems so impersonal, she supposes that's how it has to be, given the current situation, and she nods in response. She can't remember if she's seen him even hint at a smile before now, but it's reserved— there's nothing soft about it, but she wouldn't expect there to be, given their experiences with one another so far.]

It does. Given the nature of these partnerships, both parties should stand to benefit beyond the basic necessity of it, I think.

[They're in agreement on their approach, at least, even if she's not hiding the fact that she wishes a more personal angle were somehow possible.]

All of that said, I don't think it's unreasonable to say that I would want any potential partner to be someone I got on with reasonably well. I don't think it's overly sentimental, either. Bondmates don't have to be the best of friends, but they should at least like each other.

[Both eyes close to distance himself from her argument. The conflict between their ideals is widening by the second; a chasm that changes both his manner and his tone. His voice is cold, irritable and curt.]

On the contrary, they only need be capable of working together.

[He is not hiding the fact he believes it's nonsense.]

That is precisely what I learned. Not everyone close to us in life are people we can admire and respect.

[Hendrik.]

We may have to agree to disagree. I can't imagine there are many who would be willing to form a partnership with anyone who didn't at the very least respect them.

[That seems, to her, to be the bare minimum. While his tone borders on irritable, her own remains calm but firm, serious. Personally, she doesn't think this one thing is a lot to ask of anyone.]

And admiration and respect don't necessarily have to go hand-in-hand.

[Don't worry, Jasper, she's not implying that you need to have any feelings towards anyone.]

What happened to make you so damn cynical?

[... it just kind of slips out.]

[The change in expression doesn't take long. His eyes stare into space for a second before he gives a wry smile that doesn't meet his eyes. He adjusts his cuffs and straightens his back against the chair; his body rigid with disapproval.]

That is a private concern. Why must you know?

[Evasive. Hardly surprising, really.]

[The complete lack of an answer is extremely telling in itself. She presses her lips into a thin line, shaking her head.]

I don't need to know— but something must have happened.

[His reaction proves it.]

It might actually benefit you to talk about it. Maybe not today, and maybe not to me, but whatever it was must have been big.

[It could be as simple as the universal truth that people tend to hurt other people, unintentionally or otherwise, but still.]

[The expression on his face remains the same: a mixture of solemn, scathing and apathetic.]

No, not at all.

[His words are simple. His tactic now to hide behind ordinaryness.]

But I suppose you should not believe me either way.

[She's not buying it, no— it's almost too simple a deflection, but she also knows better than to pry more than she already has. For now, she makes a mental note of his reaction, certain that there is much more to this than his simply being honestly blunt— which he is, she certainly won't argue that, but she can't help worrying. He's made it clear even before now that he is a man with very specific and high standards that he expects to have met, and it's not hard to imagine what situation he could easily find himself in if he isn't willing to bend or compromise.

That, of course, is his own business, but he'd brought this topic to the watch network for a reason, and she's almost positive it isn't just curiosity, as he'd said. He prides himself on having a calculating mind, and this is a deliberate effort to learn something, she's sure of it.]

I don't think it matters much to you whether or I believe you or not. As you said, it's your own private business.

[And she'll leave it at that, though it's clear enough that she's not entirely sold.]

But back to the real reason you posed this question publicly. It's not just curiosity, is it? You're casting a net, looking for compatible 'business partners.'

[As tactics go, it's not a bad one, particularly for the pragmatic among them.]

[Jasper sits there in silence while she offers opinions - none of them particularily fascinating. Though they are observant and that raises the bar to tolerable. Her dropping the matter only delays it for the hour, or day, or even a week or two. But that gives him time and time's all he wants.

With one clap of the hands he makes his feelings known. ]

Got it in one! Oh, bravo!

[His sarcastic words offer praise - but honestly he doesn't want partners at all.]

[She narrows her eyes at him in response, that thick sarcasm coming through loud and clear, and she huffs a sigh, allowing that composure of hers to wrinkle in response.]

You know, that's really not necessary.

[And yet she has to wonder if he could even stop himself if he tried.]

So how goes the search?

[She has a hunch, but she'll keep that to herself, at least for a few moments.]

[Her prying is hardly subtle.]

Oh, it is too early to tell.

[And yet he is honest enough to share some of his feelings.]

I am going to die of boredom before I find any stimulating prospects. Honestly, it would be better were this unnecessary.

[Oh, don't flatter yourself.]

Oh, I quite agree. Unfortunately, none of us here are so lucky.

[That wrinkle in her composure is gone, however, and she smirks faintly, reminiscent of their encounter in the tailor's boutique when she'd teased him openly— good-natured, but still.]

Well, good luck in finding a stimulating prospect that meets your standards. Maybe someone who shares your sweet tooth? Or would that be too close to inviting competition?

[Like interests seem worth seeking out, but sharing cake may not be worth it in the eyes of some.]

[Twitches animate the corner of his mouth - like he wants to laugh but has forgotten how. ]

I doubt anyone here could match my appetite.

[For all his arrogance, he is confident. Better to be confident over small affairs than afraid of them.]

And that includes you to be sure.

I'd say I might surprise you, but given what I've seen so far, I think you may be right.

[She had more or less eaten her way through the Cirque, but he had gone far beyond that. Whether it was the effect of the lunar cycle or his natural inclination remains to be seen, but she's more than willing to let him claim that particular victory.]

I have to wonder... do bonds relay cravings?

[Whoever he picks, he just might find himself well-matched in the sweet tooth regard if so.]

Oh, I have no clue, but it would not surprise me.

[The simplicity of the question puts him in a lighter mood. Not quite sweet but paletable. His facial expressions hardly change but his voice sounds like it's smoothing some internal problem.]

And so this world grows more absurd. I wonder who thinks bringing me here was ever a good idea.

A little absurdity can be refreshing now and then. Something to laugh at.

[Or balk at, as the case may be. Either way, she's glad for lighter thoughts, however long they may last. It takes effort to present herself as a tireless optimist, but the truth is that she carries so much on her own shoulders that even the slightest reprieve is beyond welcome.

As for his own assessment of the situation, she can only allow her smile to pull to one side. Had he been about to laugh, just a moment ago? He'd seemed dangerously close.]

Who knows why any of us were chosen. It's mildly less frustrating if I assume there's a reason for it, but I do mean mildly. At least the local delicacies have been worth sampling?

[It's not much of a silver lining, but she'll take it.]

If you're interested, I stumbled across a bakery that makes excellent— well, I don't know what it's called here, but it's close enough to bienenstich that it was almost like being back home for a short while.

[Leave the unpleasant talk of bonds aside for at least a short while. She knows they can agree on cake.]

The name would be a pleasure. I for one would welcome one patisserie that is capable of making a decent fruit sandwich.

[With his hands on his hips, Jasper leans back against the chair and rolls out his shoulders. There is one glaring motive in sharing a common interest and he sees through it; a potential friend staking out a relationship. Nothing romantic. Nothing personal. Nothing he wants in the slightest. He says nothing about it and denotes it as an observation.]

Or a tearoom that serves proper tea and not this bagged nonsense.

[LOOK he has strong views on the subject!]

Edelmann's, I think? It's not far from the main entrance to the Haven.

[Don't worry, Jasper, she's not about to suggest that you go together. Perish the thought of actually running into one another somewhere with intent.]

I don't have a solution to the tea problem just yet, but there has to be somewhere. It's a reasonably big city, after all.

[She's not too much of a tea drinker herself, but she's at least picked up on the fact that many avid tea fans are staunchly against the 'bagged nonsense.' Her half-smile remains, and she maintains a light and teasing tone, easy now that they're discussing something that means so very little in the long run.]

I'll keep an ear out— if that matters to you.

[She'll just assume that it doesn't.]

[The name is denoted and filed away for future reference. One rainy day where he has nothing better to do than hang around in a bar, drowning his sorrows like some common lowlife, he will remember her suggestion and praise the heavens.]

You must comprehend that it does otherwise you would not have offered a suggestion.

[A muscle in his jaw twitches. His expression sours. He cannot tell if he should be furious or grateful or what.]

One that is heartily welcomed, in any case.

[He really doesn't take teasing well, does he? Her smile hitches higher on one side all the same. Must every comment be analyzed so?]

I'll see what turns up. I know a few people who've been here for some time, one of them might know better, too, having had more time to get to know the city.

[Her search for suitable eateries and teahouses, however, is not nearly as pressing a matter with the one he's now conducting for himself.]

Best of luck with your search.

[Jasper does not answer. His thoughts are turning over her expressions for any signs of motive - finding nothing except human warmth and curiosity. His lips crack and splinter into a frown, corners lowering as her smile brightens. How unpaletable.]

I doubt I shall find anyone.

[It takes a great deal of effort to end the conversation with anything approaching politeness. His face not exactly given to gracious expressions.]

Thank you for your time.

[And with that he switches off. Cause yeah.]

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