aefenglom | 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ 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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