[closed] 🧙 yes hello, your wizard is here

[galdorleod]

Who: Howl and Others (planned threads)
When: Mid to Late Juril
Where: Aefenglom; Dorchacht for Wondrous Things quest
What: Howl's social circle continues to grow in his first month after arrival. Also, overflow from the intro log.
Warnings: none anticipated.

Prompts in comments!

Comments

[galdorleod]

[ Howl rests one elbow on the table so he can cradle his chin in his hand and watch him as they chat. Whatever he might be thinking to himself, Howl is unable to hear it, and he can't not ask about it, can he? ]

What do you mean, not possible? [ His free hand plays with the small puddle of water that had collected on the surface of the bar from the condensation on the outside of his drink. ] I strongly doubt you mean it in the way I mean it.

[trost]

[ He won't know how you mean it if you don't say so, Howl! Jean is too susceptible to the effects right now and a blunt personality by nature, so he goes ahead and says what he's thinking. There's a sip taken first, and he places his glass on the counter top.]

I don't want to make that commitment to someone when there's a good chance I could end up dying.

[galdorleod]

[ That isn't what Howl was expecting him to say. So far, Jean has come across to him as a harmless knuckle-headed sort; the kind of average person that he always found to be good company on account of seeming genuinely good-natured and honest. As he peers at him now, chin in hand, he remembers that he really knows nothing about the man. ]

You are very wise and selfless to consider that possibility, Jean. You are taking care of your sweetheart before you even know them.

[ Howl's voice is softer and gentler now, as he openly studies Jean's face more closely. Rarely does he wish he could talk to others about his deal with Calcifer, and he doesn't quite feel that way right now, but he's aware that his inability to share makes asking personal questions like the following a bit shameful. ]

When you say "good chance"... Do you mean the general mortality with which we all grapple, or are you referring to some aspect of your life back home...? [ apologetic smile.] In truth, I'm realizing I know little about your life back home. I don't quite remember what I told you about myself either.

sorry for the delay

[trost]

[ His eyebrows raise at the compliment in mild surprise. It's more common sense to him than a particularly 'wise and selfless' way of thinking. How he thinks the most realistic way to act should be, given the fact that he doesn't want people mourning him. ]

You haven't told me anything. [ He's stating a fact, but with Jean's blunt way of speaking and sharp eyes, it could sound more accusatory than intended. Truthfully, he doesn't mind. He understands when people would prefer not to talk about their circumstances.

He'll share because he doesn't mind sharing. Howl doesn't have to share back, but he wouldn't mind listening, either. ] Where Mikasa and I come from, the whole world is looking for an opportunity to destroy us. I've been fighting since I was 15, and I don't know if it'll ever stop.

it ok

[galdorleod]

Hm. Haven't I? [ He chuckles, his eyes closing merrily, and tips his head into his hand. That is definitely plausible. Maybe he ought to say something about himself, as much as he dislikes the topic. Perhaps when the conversation stalls and the time is right.

As Jean continues, he sits up straight again and looks down into his drink, still smiling vaguely as he listens. So, both he and Mikasa are basically child soldiers. Howl could tell there was something going on with Mikasa, something tragic and unsaid, but it's sad to know that the same is true for Jean, too.

Sad and infuriating. Had Howl known that, he might not have been so complimentary about Jean's decision to keep to himself. Whoever his enemy is, they've managed to destroy Jean in a small way by keeping him from loving someone out of fear. ]

I see. [ He picks up his drink and swishes its contents around slowly. ] Have you ever thought to seek love out of spite? There must be many others in the same mindset as you.

[trost]

I've thought about it. Never had the time ...

[ He would spend most of his waking hours at his work, whether it was going on missions or training his body to be a better soldier. Even in that period of time things appeared calmer, they would get assigned physical labour duties to develop the country and keep their bodies in top shape. When he did have down time he would just be tired, or he would spend it visiting his parents in his home town.

He's realising now that he doesn't have any of those same responsibilities here. There's a blink at that. ] I guess I actually have time here.

[galdorleod]

That's right. That's right!

[ Howl raises his glass to him and grins widely. As much as it sucks to be stuck in Aefenglom, that's a wonder windfall for those who have come from difficult and unpleasant worlds! He hadn't thought about it that way until now. The realization actually makes him feel happy, like maybe being here isn't so bad after all. It's still bad, yes, but can it be all bad if people like Jean get to experience a better life in some aspects? ]

That settles it. We're going to experience love for the first time while we're here, Jean. Both of us!

[ He has absolutely no idea how such a thing will be possible for himself, but, details. This is really about encouraging Jean anyway. ]

[trost]

[ This enthusiasm is not something he can match, being the kind of person to rarely show enthusiasm for things at all, but he does raise his glass and knock it against Howl's in some sort of solidarity between lovers of alcohol and men with unfortunate love lives. ]

Both of us, huh? So even with you chatting up girls, you've never fallen for anyone?

[galdorleod]

Sometimes I think I have.

[ Howl remarks casually, a shrug in his voice, before sipping from his glass. He has no trouble talking about this particular topic. ]

But at some point, I always realize that something isn't right. My initial impression of the madam turned out to be wrong, or I grow to dislike her, or lose interest. Of course, there's occasions where she grows to dislike me, but even then, in hindsight, I realize there was nothing much there between us.

wraps this up ??

[trost]

I guess it's rough even when you don't have the excuse of having no time to pursue anything. That's ... not reassuring at all.

[ Other people talk about their love lives and come out excited for something special. These two talk about their love lives and come out more pessimistic about the prospect. Having 0 experience, Jean wouldn't know how to navigate the complexities of everything Howl had described. It all sounds quite tiring. ]

Let's drink to being two hopeless guys then. [ After Howl had said they ought to believe they can find someone ... oops. Jean takes a sip of that alcohol, feeling the bitter liquid roll down his throat. They bask in each others' casual company for the next few hours of the night, talking about whatever comes up, and then go on their merry way before the sky gets too dark. ]