middaeg | [closed] 🧙 yes hello, your wizard is here

( continued from here )

[ If Howl had more experience with cats, he might recognize what that wiggle is forecasting. Instead, he's caught completely off-guard when it leaps at him - directly at his face, as far as he can tell. ]

Augh, get off! Get off of me, you adorable little murderer! [ His immediate instinct is to wave his arms and lean way, either to bat the cat off his shoulder or prevent it from landing safely in the first place. ]

[ It's been years since Howl prepared his own potion materials. That responsibility had fallen to Markl ever since he took the boy in, and prior to that, he had either the funds or the power to obtain his ingredients pre-prepared or in need of virtually no preparation. It has nothing to do with Howl being unable to do it himself, of course - prep work is simply tiresome and boring and time-consuming, and much like other chores, he preferred not to do it at all.

But the wizard is starting over in Aefenglom, and he needs most at the moment is money. A job related to magic, doing something he already knows how to do, and which could hopefully help him regain his skills faster, is ideal. Even if it pays poorly.

He sits at the back of the apothecary at a worker's table, his sleeves rolled up and an apron tied around his neck and waist, slowly grinding dried merrow bones into powder with a pestle. The work is slow and tedious, but it's coming along.

He sighs and takes a look into the mortar before continuing. There's another man sitting across from him, also grinding away at some bones, who doesn't seem as bored as he is, but Howl has found his expressions hard to read so far. Maybe some small talk would help. ]

I don't remember this taking so long with fish bones, but I suppose that makes sense.

( continued from here )

[ Howl desperately wants his relationships to last, too. They just don't. They can't. He bartered his heart away to a demon in exchange for power; there's no way for any lover to capture a part of Howl that he simply does not have.

So, Jean's phrasing - commitment issues - is a strangely quaint and cute way of putting it. Howl maintains his easy-going expression as he shrugs his shoulders and nods, a "what can ya do?" gesture. ]

Alas, we've all got our problems.

[ Howl's first two weeks in this new world have been focused on two things: attending lessons at the Coven and earning as much money as possible. This morning, he'd listened carefully to a lesson on the basics of buoyancy and levitation, and after a few hours of practice, he had mastered it - at least for objects that are small and light. This is quite alright for his purposes today, however, as this afternoon is dedicated to a second visit to Dorchacht and its fields of unharvested Whispering Clouds. This time, he intends to go alone, using the new spell to make his harvesting basket float along beside him.

He's been picking tufts of soft fluff from the reeds for about half an hour now, smugly ignoring the plants every time they murmur something about him in an attempt to make him go away. It won't work this time, he thinks to himself - what risk is there of anyone learning embarrassing secrets about him if there's nobody around to hear them?

He comes upon an especially large specimen, practically bursting with fluffy puffs to pluck from its branches, and allows the basket to lower to the ground, figuring that he'll spend a while at this plant to pick it clean. When his hands push past the reeds to grab a tuft, the plant predictably objects.

"Oh, you don't have to pretend so hard with us! Turn us into a coat and we'll know each other just as well as we know you now already. Just as well as that demon you made a contract with, eh?"

Howl huffs and drops the tuft into his basket. Well. That sure was a thing it just said. He's put-off enough this time that after a beat, he actually talks back to the plant. ]

You truly flatter yourself, comparing yourself to a demon.

[ Crowley isn't big on hard work.

Money, unfortunately, does necessitate some work in this place.

Normally currency isn't really a problem for him. Miracles are great for that! Currency is all digital these days so numbers just sort of happen, Crowley never worries about it.

Which makes it extremely annoying that his miracles don't work here. Especially when plenty of the work that needs to be done requires... a skill, of some sort. Actual skill is not something Crowley normally works at.

He doesn't much like this.

The one bright side though is there's lots of good gossip in this place. When he'd read the job request, Crowley hadn't felt terribly keen on what is essentially picking flowers for money. He is, however, incredibly nosy. So the small print intrigues him.

He's been sat in a clear patch near this large clump of reeds having an argument with it for a good ten minutes now, they'd only lapsed into a mutual grumpy silence just before Howl came upon them. Good thing, too, now they can complain about him instead! Perfect!

This, though? This is brilliant gossip! Some human (presumably) made a contract with a demon? Hilarious. Bad life choice, in Crowley's opinion, mostly based on his general experience with demons. Couldn't trust them as far as he could throw them. Bound to make a whole mess out of it all. The reply makes him huff with laughter, he can't help it (flatter themselves? That's a new one!) and the laughter makes the reeds turn back on him as they brush against him in the breeze.

Is it such a laughing matter, Crowley? Are you not a demon yourself -- ]

Hey, hey, hey!

[ Crowley jumps to his feet, trying to talk over the murmurs. ]

We had an agreement! I stopped picking you!

[ As if one can actually make an agreement with gossipy reed plants. ]

Sounds like you don't wanna talk about it. Fair enough. [ Nobody really wants their issues out there for the world to know about. Jean takes a sip of the alcohol the barmaid places on their table, finding himself caring less about the too-honest blabber that might fall out of his mouth as a result of the spell. ]

I definitely wouldn't mind that kind of commitment, but I don't think it's possible for me either. [ Since he has no time to pursue relationships back home, and there's always that looming possibility he might die. This is a topic more personal to him than he would like to have revealed, but at this point fighting the effects of the spell seems completely fruitless. ]

[It's just as well that Mogget has ample experience of being a cat, and of their tendency to turn into a liquid when they should in fact be able to be physically handled. He bounces off Howl's upper arm and onto an awning, where he turns around and looks down at the man with a clear expression on his face.

That expression being that that was one of the most ridiculous displays he's ever seen.]

[ Definitely not a cool and suave move from someone who considers himself cool and suave. Once he realizes the cat is not on him and he regains his balance, he stares up at the cat - annoyed, yes, but mostly very, very stunned and confused. ]

B-Barmy cat! When I asked if you were looking for mice to torture, I didn't mean me! [ He rubs the spot on his arm where the cat jumped off from, the feeling of its warm little paws still lingering. ] Well, what is it? Are you a lost familiar trying to say something, or am I just a cheesed fool talking to a cat?

[ 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.

Edited 2020-07-20 02:19 (UTC)

[ The sound of sudden laughter causes Howl to freeze, his hand a moment away from pushing through the reeds again. It's as if he just heard a window breaking in the middle of the night while home by himself - something he'd known was possible, and had feared could happen, and had taken precautions against, but was happening anyway, and now there's a stranger with access to his metaphorical jewelry and who knows what else. When the plants begin talking back, a knot twists up in his stomach, and then there's a response, and at that point he can't take it anymore.

A moment later, Howl emerges from the other side of the shrubby reeds, on his feet, scowling apprehensively. ]

Wh-Who are you? What did they just say? What agreement? What are you laughing at?

[ A vaguely delighted murmur spreads quietly among the unpicked flowers. Yes, very brilliant gossip indeed! How interesting!!

"His name is Anthony Crowley! And Mr. Crowley, let us introduce you to Mr. Howell Jenkins!"

In the blink of an eye, all of Howl's agitation is redirected at the plants again. Oh, no. ]

[ 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.

[ This really is the rudest plant he's ever had to argue with, and that includes the time one had a whole leaf covered in spots. ]

Now listen --

[ He says, apparently fully prepared to pick a fight with a plant over explaining anything to Howl. ]

This guys got a basket full of your friends, and mine isn't exactly empty. So I want you to think about this a long moment. Are we people you really want to cross?

[ People who... pick flowers?

It is, perhaps, more intimidating if you don't think about it that way. Still, just to underline his threat Crowley reaches out slowly -- plucks one fuzzy flowerhead off.

Well, reeds? Your turn. Oh, and he supposes he should -- ]

Did tell them to shut up.

[ To Howl. That was the agreement! They had to stop gossiping! ]

[ 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.

Forget them! [ Howl cries, turning his glare back on Crowley, and as his mouth closes on the last syllable into gritted teeth, some sort of force pulses from around the area of his chest. It's akin to a shock wave or a vibration, and not very strong, but it's enough for the reeds he's standing beside to rustle against each other. Whether Crowley can recognize what just happened will be up to him, but the flustered young man had essentially expressed his anger and anxiety with a weak burst of magic.

"But Howl didn't!" one of the flowers squeaks, breaking the silence that follows. Howl ignores it and steps closer to Crowley. ]

You're not to tell anyone the name you just heard! Or that other thing they said about me! Or am I going to have to barter with you? You're a demon??

[ That's --

Weird.

Crowley looks up and around as Howl snaps at him, blinks at the shock-wave and tries to assess how he's managed to lose control of the situation so quickly. ]

Err...

[ He manages, and tries to work out how to escape this situation. ]

Dunno what you're talking about.

[ He tries, and as the reeds begin to protest and he reaches out to pull some flowers off to try and smother them. Stay out of this, flowers. ]

[ 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.

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.

[ "Lying! He's lying! The demon is lying!" the flowers sing vindictively, even as Crowley smothers one of their siblings. Howl has grown pale by this point; at least one of his questions have been answered indirectly by the plants.

This man isn't nothing like the demons spoken of in Ingary. Nothing like Calcifer, the mild-mannered demon he'd sold his heart to out of pity, and received immense magical power in return. This person seems to be... a guy. Just a guy. A regular person. How is this possible? Howl is stunned and confused and caught entirely off guard. Not only has his plan to keep his secrets to himself by staying alone backfired, but it's backfired by coming across the worst possible person. ]

You're a demon. [ he states matter-of-factly, expecting him to confirm it. ] If they're saying so, it's true. Stop lying.

Alright, alright, it's not a big deal -- yeah? Not a big deal. Doesn't need to be a big deal. So... maybe I'm a demon. So what! Lots of weird people here. I saw a guy with full body fur and huge teeth!

[ Monsters! Lots of monsters here. There's a whole thing about Witches and Monsters that Crowley... about halfway paid attention to. ]

So -- not a big deal. Just a label. A label that covers a pretty broad spectrum, really, not very accurate to just paint everyone with the brush of demon and expect them all to be the same.

[ Is this helping? He's not sure if it's helping, but he's hoping if he keeps talking it might. ]

You don't look very much like a mouse.

[Mogget finally speaks, which is perhaps not what the man was expecting. His voice is a strange one - not at all like a human voice, but wrapped very much around meows and other sounds typical of a cat - but it is most definitely forming words. He blinks down at Howl, sitting down at the edge of the awning.]

But I am not lost, and whether or not you are a fool remains to be seen.

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.

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. ]

[ Howl raises his eyebrows when the cat speaks, but he is nowhere near as shocked or stunned as some of the other Mirrorbound would be. If anything, his expression steels into something stern a moment later, reflecting his satisfaction to have gotten a straight answer from the beast. ]

I am neither a mouse nor a fool. I'm a wizard. [ pausing, he glances at his basket of beginner witching goods, and the list laying neatly inside it, folded in half. ] ...All this is... just for now. Until I get my skills back.

[ Good news, Crowley, because it sorta is helping? Howl stares at him as he rambles, his fear downgrading to cautious apprehension. If he understands correctly, this demon doesn't want to be associated with other demons - but why? Calcifer wouldn't ever do that. Then again, Calcifer is the only demon he's ever really known. Then he remembers that there aren't any demons in Aefenglom - he'd discovered as much in the first few days he was here - which means this person has to be Mirrorbound. There's no other explanation.

Still confused, he takes a step back and sits on the ground, watching the man carefully. ]

...You're right. Maybe I can't expect them all to be the same. But it's still a "big deal," as you say, to me. [ he pauses. ] Is Anthony Crowley your name, or the name of the man you overtook? [ he gestures towards him, his body. ]

[ What? Crowley blinks in genuine surprise, then scrunches up his face. ]

No, no, no this is my body! Well, alright, it's not like I was born with it like you lot but it's my body. Had to fill out a lot of forms to get it, you know, and if I lose it there's no way they're giving me a new one.

[ Especially not now. He scrunches up his face. ]

Uh, but. Crowley, yeah.

Edited (oops italics) 2020-07-28 17:12 (UTC)

[closed] 🧙 yes hello, your wizard is here

overflow: mogget

for henry [ alchemical apprentices ]

overflow: jean

for crowley [ wondrous things ]

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