aefenglom | upset? no youre upset

Entry tags:

upset? no youre upset

Name: Howl (un: galdorleod)
Date: Aereuer 1st
Format: text

My bonded is gone. Part of the recent exodus home that myself, and those reading this, have not had the luck to be selected for thus far.

So, I am in need of a new bond. My name is Howl; I own a wizard's practice and pawnshop in the Entertainment District called Pendragon's. I have been in Aefenglom for almost a year and I prepare and perform numerous spells and potions per day.

I need a Monster (or Monsters) who can help with cycling large amounts of magic on the regular. I may be willing to offer compensation in some form, depending on the compatibility of our Bond and how effectively we work together. Respond to this message if interested.

I have a second inquiry as well; another opportunity for those ambitious and interested. I am seeking a Mirrorbound whom I have not spoken to in months and may no longer be among us. From what I remember, his name was "Crowley" and he claimed to be a demon expert or somesuch in his world. If you know how I can contact him or his address, please respond to this message.

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Of course. I look forward to meeting you in person.

[The late hours are fine with Jin Guangyao -- he's slow to wake, especially now that he's back to basking in the sun for a morning pick-up. He leaves work a little earlier than usual -- though the usual has been quite late as well, recently -- to slither across town to the shop.

It's a less than pleasant circumstance to be in, to be sure. But with the strain on his existing Bond... it doesn't feel like an opportunity for a less fraught connection comes so often, and the threat of becoming feral without a Bond lingers still.

He knocks briefly before entering, faint smile on his lips but inwards considerably less certain about this.]

Mister Howl?

[ The inside of Pendragon's is warm and inviting, albeit a bit messy; it seems more like walking into a wizard's living room and toolshed at the same time. In the corner to the right is a large brick hearth where a fire burns, and the opposite two walls are filled from top to bottom with shelves of spells and charms and premade potions and inscriptions. Near the center is a large workbench, where Howl is sitting with his back to the front door, his overdized coat thrown over his shoulders.

When he hears the bell jingle as it opens, he sits up and looks over his shoulder. He doesn't recognize the Monster, but he has a hunch. ]

Yes, welcome, please come in. How can I help you today?

[The warmth is welcomed; the nights are still a bit cool, after all. And though a bit more disorderly, there's something a bit familiar in such trappings of scrolls and oddities.

Though naga are well looked-upon in Aefenglom proper, Jin Guangyao is well aware many Mirrorbound are more likely to look a bit askance at the snake-y-ness. Although he's dressed finely as always in robes of golden yellow and cream, he is definitely more inwardly self-conscious of his more monstrous traits... but there really isn't any way to hide the long tan and black ringer serpentine tail in place of legs.]

I am Jin Guangyao. We spoke earlier about the potential to form a Bond. [He introduces himself with a smile and a small bow.] Considering the amount of magical work on display here, I am not surprised such a prodigious mage would find it a bit of a troublesome situation.

[ Goodness, he's a big Naga. That's really the only characteristic of the man that Howl comes close to looking askance at; as he rises to his feet, he looks around his shop for a chair he can offer him before realizing he has no idea how Naga seat themselves at tables. ]

Ah, yes! Come in, come in. [ Giving up on the chair, he turns back to face him and gesture him inside. ] Master Jin Guangyao - do I have that right? It's a pleasure to meet you in person. I am the Wizard, Howl. I hope you didn't have much trouble finding the place?

[Curling up into a neat pile of snake and resting on his own coils answers the question of how a naga sits; or this one, at least. It always seems best to Jin Guangyao, to keep his tail away from risks of tripping or being stepped on whenever possible. ]

Simply Jin Guangyao is fine. [He assures him; slightly reassured himself by the lack of any particular reaction to his form. Well, many of them had been here long enough to adjust to how things were. Perhaps that was it.]

And it was no trouble at all. I've been here for some time after all, and gotten to know my way around the city quite well. [There's a faint air of hesitation about him; as much as the offer was made, the situation really is unfortunate, and Bonding to someone unfamiliar is hardly ideal. But Jin Guangyao has learned a lot from his more troubled connection about how to leave some feelings buried deeper than others. Hopefully... it won't be too difficult.]

Out of curiosity, how long has it been since your own arrival?

I first arrived in July of last year.

[ Howl curiously watches him as he settles on top of his coil before taking a seat again himself. He seems to be a rather formal man... and somewhat stuffy and guarded, from Howl's first impression. Not necessarily his type, but he is fairly handsome for a monster. ]

What about yourself? How long have you been on the Council?

It was earlier in the year for myself. I have been here a little over a year now. It was a few months after that, before I felt settled enough to consider joining the Council here. Although I know how difficult it is to enact change, I thought my own experience with political matters in my own world before this one might be helpful.

[Explained with a pleasant smile, but indeed, quite formal and distantly polite.]

You seem to have taken to the magic of this realm quite well. May I ask a little of what your life was like before coming here? If you would rather not say, of course I understand. We have all left some things behind, I think.

[ A career politician, too? If it weren't for the possibility that the government might not be completely corrupt and horrible in whatever world he's from, Howl would have concluded by now that he is really not his type. But... not yet. And he is just pleasant and handsome enough to keep chatting. ]

I am a Wizard by trade. Formally trained and practicing prior to my arrival here. That's why I prefer to use the same title for myself - the fairer sex's powers operate on quite another level where I'm from, so it feels improper to call myself a "Witch," even in Aefenglom.

[ Howl looks over to the left side of the room and raises one hand to make a beckoning gesture. A moment later, a teapot and two teacups float over from a tea table by the window, along with a small wicker box. He opens the box and removes two saucers and small spoons. ]

Having to adapt to entirely foreign laws of magic was extremely odd at first, to say the least, but I do think my level of experience gave me some advantage. I opened this practice almost three months ago, and all things considered, business is going well. I'd like to make a name for myself if I'm stuck here.

A "Wizard" then.

[Jin Guangyao replies agreeably.]

In my former realm, similar sorts of effects to the magic here were achievable through personal cultivation of the spirit - meditation and special exercises, and so on. I cannot say I was particularly skilled, but being unable to access even that... well, I must confess, I think relearning would be preferable to the other options.

[You know, like becoming half snake. He says it with a bit of a self-deprecating laugh, but surely anyone would be a little sympathetic? Wouldn't he? It would be nice, if he's to go through with this -- but the necessity of shoring up a weak Bond is more important than the details, unfortunately.

Jin Guangyao's interest is clearly piqued by the appearance of the teapot. For how little he knows of the man, at least he can apparently appreciate the place of some nice tea.]

Hm... yes, I understand that line of thought. [ Howl nods as he adds loose tea leaves to the teapot's cage, a sympathetic pout on his face. Then he lowers it back into the room temperature water, shuts the lid, and lays his hand over the top. ]

I do not take for granted my good fortune for winning the coin toss, so to speak. If it is any consolation, I try to go out of my way for former magicians in situations like yours. Discounts, house calls, tricky spells... I don't mind the extra effort when I know it benefits a colleague.

[Used to being the one making the tea, the last little bit of his tailtip absently waggling back and forth in small sinuous waves of anticipation.]

It isn't necessary, but I can't say a small enchantment or two be unappreciated either. Thankfully the weather is warming at last, but the mornings are still a little cold for any naga.

[He admits.]

Though it should go without saying that if there's anything needed beyond helping to control the flow of magic, only ask.

[ A silence settles following Jin Guangyao's last statement. Howl stares at him with his marble-like blue eyes, a coy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ]

What sort of relationship did you have with your previous bonds? I enjoyed an intimate connection with mine. [ He asks this very bluntly, studying him closely for his reaction. ]

[The context makes the question somewhat more awkward than it would have been, even asked prior to that. a slight tightness at the edges of his mouth, a little more stiff in his reply:]

We were quite good friends. Surely it isn't that uncommon.

[Not exactly a no, but the discomfort with the idea is obvious.]

Hardly. The Coven tells us that Bonds are more powerful if the Bonded have a close, amicable relationship with one another.

[ Suddenly, there's a soft but high-pitched noise, followed by a rattle. The spout of the teapot under Howl's hand is starting to spew a long wisp of steam. Over the past half a minute, he's been using magic, channeled through the hand resting on it's top, to boil the water inside of it.

He removes his hand and rests it on the table in front of him to let the tea steep. ]

I've found this advice to be true. So, if we did Bond... I would want to get to know you better.

[Mixed feelings.. that surely Howl would be quite aware of if they did indeed Bond. There's a small pause before he lowers his eyes a little, staring at the teapot instead of Howl himself, replying gently.]

Of course we should get to know each other better, if that were to be the case. But... it is a little difficult to say, but it was not so long before I arrived here that my wife passed away, and we had loved each other very much in our time together. I hope you can understand, where intimacy is concerned, it is not such an easy thing to move on.

[ Howl watches him as he speaks, his gaze gentle and patient, albeit a bit empty. That is sad. Jin's sincerity is clear. Had Howl known anything about his history, he would not have been so blunt so soon after meeting him. ]

No, I can't understand. I've never been married, nor have I ever lost someone so important to me.

[ If only there was some way for Howl to be honest with Jin in his response, but there isn't. The best he can do is what he always does - talk around his curse and allude to it as best he can. And, hey, the fact that he's never been married is true. ]

But if you desire to... [ he pauses, choosing his words. ] ...set the limits of how intimate you are with you Bonded, and what form that intimacy takes, then I am amenable, if it would enable our Bond to be successful.

[The whole business is indeed sad. Even if the circumstances are not quite as stated, there are enough components of truth that even if they were Bonded now, that misstatement might not be detected.

Given the interest though, the question of just what sort of person he would be Bonding himself to, truly, comes to mind again. No, it's definitely better if it's strictly business, he can only think with a kindly smile.]

I think that entirely reasonable.

May I ask if you have a particularly large project planned for the future? I must admit that I never gave thought to the potency of a Bond before this.

[He asks, taking it upon himself to pour the tea neatly and with a practiced hand for both of them, Howl first, now that it's had time to steep.]

[ With his chin propped in one hand, Howl watches the Naga pour the tea. His playful attitude from moments earlier has clearly been withdrawn. Now he's observing him with simple curiosity. ]

Rather than asking whether I've a large undertaking in the future, it's better to ask when my next one will be. [ After adding two spoonfuls of sugar to his teacup, he takes a sip. ] I don't merely practice magic... I enjoy searching for major breakthroughs, as well. Discovering new methods, investigating side effects, anything that could possess hidden significance. It's difficult to know ahead of time how much magic I'll need in pursuit of that knowledge.

A true scholar.

[Jin Guangyao smiles, a little more easily now that a certain awkward topic of discussion has been avoided for now. His own tea gets a little cream and sugar, in the local fashion, but not so much that it would overwhelm the flavor.]

Who am I to not aid in the pursuit of that knowledge, at least as much as I can. I assume with such needs, you'll be pursuing a couple other Bonds as well, to maximize your potential.

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upset? no youre upset

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