[ Reynir isn't very sneaky, but at least he knows he isn't very sneaky. When he had decided he was going to keep it a secret from Onni that he is learning to play the recorder (at least, until he's good enough that they can play together), he knew it would take some doing. He's sure that if he tried to practice in their cottage, Onni would come home unexpectedly or one of their neighbors would mention it or something else to ruin the surprise.
So he has made the decision to only practice outside the home. The only difficulty being... finding good public places, where no one will mind a complete novice fumbling through scales and very basic children's songs.
For now, he's been going to a little spot down by the docks; Onni hates fishing, and Reynir is hoping that he would have no other reasons to come down this way. He settles himself on a crate in a place where no one seems to be working at the moment, and starts practicing away.
It's not... pleasant to listen to, but he puts his heart into it, diligently stumbling his way through the basics that Elliot had taught him. At least, until he catches sight of someone walking his way, and lowers the recorder. ]
Oh - sorry, am I... in your way here? Do you want me to go somewhere else?
[It seems disingenuous that a man like him, with noble blood running through his veins, would feel antsy living in a home so freely given. Jaskier still doesn't trust that part entirely; if the Continent has taught any lesson harshly, even to the bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, it is that nothing comes without its strings. Antsy he is, though, nearly confined by the thought that these four walls are his, that there is a world out there he could explore... if he wanted to catch a plague and die.
Decidedly less romantic than he'd like.
So Jaskier leaves it often. He explores the gritty corners of the city, or he goes and bothers the fuck out of Geralt because he's bored in between the performances he's pulled so far, or the miniature adventures the Coven or others offer in exchange for coin. He's begun slowly amassing his own free coin (so he can avoid hitting up random strangers while drunk for food) but it is not close to where he had been once.
Lucky he's gotten so used to wearing the same clothes for... years. Ugh. While he's wandered in the forest a few times (and been scolded for it), the whispering trees and threat of Shade attacks are no longer quite so inspiring. Instead Jaskier heads towards the water and what, he presumes, is a sea or some body that leads to it. The air is crisp with the smell of the water, so terribly familiar that he aches a bit for Oxenfurt.
The potential beauty of the water lapping is interrupted by the squeal of some sort of dying wind instrument. Jaskier grimaces. Oh, that's...
A student. Definitely. Jaskier does the opposite of most and heads towards the notes, finding no music in them yet, but certainly some sort of effort. At first he spots the long braid (red! such a rare and beautiful color) and mistakes it to be some royal maiden's, and he quite intends to tell her she is doing such a beautiful job playing, er, whatever that is --
Until she turns and, is in fact, a he. Still very adorable, though.] What? By a dock? I'm not dragging a ship around, am I? [He smiles, teasing. This is about as out of the way as a person could be.] What's that you're playing? [He shoulders the lute case laying against his back, indicating the instrument inside.] I'm a bit of a budding musician myself.
[His tone certainly implies that's a joke.]
Edited 2020-07-30 08:11 (UTC)
i'm really sorry for the delay, this week's been bonkers
[ Reynir laughs at the teasing joke, bright and genuine, nodding his head. ]
Okay, yeah... good point. But what if you needed something in here?
[ He taps on the unlabeled wooden crate that he is sitting cross-legged on top of. Jaskier certainly doesn't look like Reynir's idea of what a sailor would look like, but then again, he's learned he can't trust that sort of instinct in this place. Everyone dresses so strangely and comes from worlds that bear little resemblance to his own. ]
Oh! It's a recorder. I've only just started to learn.
[ As if that wasn't painfully obvious, already.
But Reynir spots the case slung over Jaskier's back, and his attention is immediately fixed. He tries to identify what might be in it from the shape of the case, but it doesn't look like anything he'd seen at Elliot's. ]
What kind of instrument is that?
[ Then, it sinks in what Jaskier had said, and what the tone implies, and Reynir gives a nervous laugh, asking: ]
Oh no, you aren't a professional musician, are you? And you just heard me...?
[He raises an eyebrow. What if? What if, indeed? He certainly doesn't question the idea that he might own things in a random wooden crate by a dock, only because the question is suspiciously genuine. Jaskier waves his hand, and the worry, away.
Certainly not a sailor in his bright red doublet and trousers. But it's almost flattering he might even look the part. Er, maybe?]
A recorder? Fascinating. A bit like a flute, then? [Certainly not an instrument he's seen himself, but it certainly holds plenty of similarities to flutes. Without invitation, Jaskier takes a seat on a smaller crate near him, stretching his legs out and placing his case over his lap.] This is my one true love. [Jaskier give shim a sly smile.] You've seen a lute, I imagine.
[He undoes the latches to open the leather, showing off the beautiful elven-crafted wood and golden adornments of his lute. He pats her gently.] There's no need to fear, my friend. We all start somewhere. I've been at this for quite a long time. [He plucks a string.] I think all pursuits of music are worth encouraging, even if you're a bit closer than most to summoning a horde of ducks.
[ All this is fairly new to Reynir, and he's really just going off the off-hand comments that Elliot had made at that very first lesson. He holds out the recorder for Jaskier to see. It's a pretty thing - large for a recorder, made of rosewood, simple but shiny and well-made.
And he watches, in turn, as Jaskier sits and starts opening up that case he'd been carrying. The shape of the instrument inside isn't what Reynir had been expecting; he'd seen guitars, once or twice since his arrival in this place. But this isn't exactly like that, either. He stares, clearly impressed, not just by the instrument itself but by the decoration and detail on it.]
No... I haven't. It's really beautiful.
[ And almost certainly a far more complex instrument to master than this simple thing, which Elliot had even told him was often played by children who were only just beginning to learn any kind of music at all.
He laughs, loud and bright, when Jaskier says he might end up summoning some ducks. ]
It does sort of sound like I'm torturing a water fowl, doesn't it? I think it's 'cause I'm blowing too hard, but when I try to do less, it doesn't make any sound at all.
[ Reynir is still QUITE embarrassed, but at least he's always been very good at laughing at himself. And besides, Jaskier is being quite kind about his awful playing, all things considered. ]
But I bet you started ages ago, and you're really good now...
[ He seems to always be late to things. Late to realizing he had magic, late to leaving home and seeing something of the world, late to starting to learn an instrument... ]
[ Reynir might be living in a city now, but that doesn't really change the way he thinks about things. You can take the boy out of the tiny farming village, but you can't take the tiny farming village out of the boy. So, when he is working on the garden at the back of his cottage, and comes across a huge rock buried in the soil that will need shifting but is much too heavy for just him, he does what seems logical.
He wanders out of his yard and stops the next friendly-looking stranger passing by. The guy is just a kid, really, and not that big, but Reynir knows better than to underestimate someone's strength based on their build. ]
Hey - hi, excuse me, I'm really sorry, but do you have a minute? I need a little help moving something heavy and my friend, my roommate I mean, he's not home right now. Do you... think you could...?
[Gon is similar; no matter his circumstances as a generally vagrant person, he always finds himself pulled back to nature if he can help it... though he hasn't quite had the simple thought of maybe cultivating his own little garden. mostly, he's just been going on careful adventures to surrounding native forests to explore and inventory local life.
when he's interrupted on his way to such an adventure (as a matter of fact), Gon has no problem stopping, blinking curiously as he turns to the stranger beckoning him. he beams, hands tightening around the straps of his backpack against his shoulders.]
Yeah, sure! That's no problem.
[Gon wanders up to Reynir, smile easing.]
What is it? I'm pretty strong, so it should be fine.
Oh, it's like, this big boulder, but I bet the two of us can lift it up no problem. Here, come on.
[ He beckons Gon back towards the yard, grinning, pleased that he found someone willing to help so quickly. People in this place may be strange to him in so many ways, but at least many of them are very friendly!
The patch of land around the little cottage is overgrown, but there are signs in one corner of it that Reynir has started to clear it out. Some lumber is resting against the side of the cottage, and other small building materials. He moves past it, towards the patch of soil he's been clearing. ]
I'm starting a garden here, the soil is great I don't know why whoever lived here before was just wasting it. Oh, um. I'm Reynir Árnson, by the way, hello, thank you for the help!
[Gon follows along happily, observing Reynir curiously as they go. he decides depending on how large the boulder is, Gon can probably lift it himself... which puts it at honestly kind of an unreasonably, sizely limit.
Gon crouches when he's brought to the patch of soil, eyes going wide as his peaky brows lift in amazement, softly brushing his fingertips across the rich, moist bed. nice and dark.]
Wo—ww, yeah, it's really healthy...!
[Gon springs back up with another cheeky grin, his ears flipping upwards in his earnest expression.]
Ah! Reynir. Nice to meet you! I'm Gon!
[gaze falling distracted, Gon smiles at the scope of the yard.]
This is a nice yard; starting a garden's a good idea... [Gon scratches his cheek thoughtfully. maybe he should cultivate something like a little garden himself, when space allows... his face whips back to Reynir, at attention once again.]
Ah! So! Where's the boulder?
i cannot believe i TYPOED reynir's NAME in my last tag, i'm a disgrace
[ He gives a little nod, doing his best to commit it to memory. People here tend to have very strange names, according to the conventions Reynir is used to, but at least this one is quite short and easy to pronounce.
He can tell from Gon's ears, and other features, that he must be a faun too. So there isn't even a moment's hesitation or self-editing before he launches into an excited description of his plans for the yard. ]
Yes, I've been learning about the different things that grow in this climate and I've already got some seeds collected. Once I get this cleared I'm going to go around the city and look at everyone else's gardens and see how they have them set up, and ask around if I can get any cuttings or seeds if anyone is willing to share. It's so warm here we don't even need a greenhouse...
[ They've reached the right spot, and Reynir stops, pointing to the mostly unburied rock in question. ]
It's just here.
[ It's far too big for him to shift, himself, but probably would not give Gon very much trouble at all. Reynir is no weakling; he'd grown up on a farm, after all. But he's hardly on the same level as Mikkel or even Emil. His rather spindly build certainly doesn't do any favors. ]
[Reynir has been acting strange...or rather, stranger than usual. Onni has caught him a few times in front of a mirror, digging around in his hair. At first, he'd thought that was just vanity, tending to his hair, something that Reynir does decently often. But after seeing it a couple of times, Onni realizes that the way Reynir looks when he's taking care of his ridiculously long hair is different from what he's doing in those moments. But he doesn't say anything about it, because they've just been moments he's caught, usually while Reynir didn't realize he was looking.
He's also caught Reynir scratching at the sides of his head with weird items - a pencil, a fork, the handle of his hairbrush. Onni has his suspicions, of course, about what might be going on, that it's some kind of change to do with Reynir being a monster, but without knowing what sort of monster he is or anything about what's changing, he doesn't really feel like he has a place asking about it.
But when Reynir emerges from his room one morning and calls out brightly that he's going to pick up some things from the shop, and Onni pokes his head out his door only to see that Reynir is wearing some preposterous knitted hat pulled over his hair despite how hot it is outside, Onni has had enough. Stepping out, he deftly catches up to Reynir and reaches out to tug the hat off his head in a smooth movement.]
[ Reynir is, for his part, completely unaware that Onni has noticed anything at all might be going on. He had thought he was being subtle, all things considered. He doesn't really know why - it's not like he can keep up the charade forever. But somehow, he just kept not being able to make the words come out. He'd tried, a few times. Been just on the verge of saying something and then pulled back.
The truth is that Onni knowing about his horns will make it all real somehow, and Reynir isn't ready.
But ready or not, the moment has inescapably arrived. Reynir lets out a little hiss of surprise as Onni pulls the hat from his head without so much as a warning. He reaches out as if to grab it from Onni's hands, but he's too slow, and even if he had gotten it, it wouldn't matter. The moment it is off his head, it's all too easy to see the dark brown horns curled in his bright red hair. They're a few inches long, now, and their texture is all too familiar, to Reynir. ]
Onni!
[ Reynir can't actually muster up a reprimand apart from Onni's name, stopping in his tracks. The urge to hold his hands over his head, try to cover up, is strong. Instead, he shoves his hands into his pockets and feels the heat washing over his face, a tide of it, revealing and impossible to avert. ]
[Unfortunately, neither of them has ever been much good at 'subtle.' So Reynir had made it too obvious that something was going on in his mass of out-of-control hair, and Onni hadn't bothered to approach it in any kind of sensitive way when he wanted to know. The moment he yanks the hat off and Reynir yelps his name out like that, reproachfully, he almost immediately drops it and takes a step back, raising his hands. He doesn't feel threatened by Reynir, but he's experiencing a sort of mixed emotion, equal parts guilt and satisfaction at finally getting this out in the open. It seems strange that Reynir would have been hiding it from him, after all, they'd already talked about this, about bonding so they would avoid Reynir going feral or Onni's magic causing problems. They'd talked about it so candidly that this whole thing is a little surprising to Onni.
But Reynir doesn't continue on into some kind of tirade, he just shoves his hands in his pockets and goes bright red, won't make eye contact. With the hat off, the thing he was trying to hide is obvious - little horns, dark brown in colour and slightly curled, that are just long enough to poke out from his halo of red hair. For a moment, Onni looks at him while he stutters out a comment about them and how obvious they are.]
Why are you trying to hide them?
[His voice is a little softer than it usually is. As demanding as the question is, there's an obvious hint of gentleness to it.]
We've already talked about this happening. I won't let you go feral.
[ Reynir's eyes drop, but he can feel Onni's gaze on him still. He has experienced this before, from Onni - that concern, all stubborn and quiet and caring. He thinks that, even if the potential for this was always in Onni, it is a tone he had mastered raising Lalli and Tuuri. It's... nice. Different than the ways he's used to being cared about, either by his family or his friends back home. His usual little defenses all leave him.
He reaches up, fingers almost brushing those horns before his hand stops in midair and he curls his fingers into his palm, dropping his arm. ]
...I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a part of it, but mostly-
[ He exhales, makes himself look up. I won't let you go feral. He knows it's only logical that Onni would help him like this and look out for him. It's pragmatic. But at the same time, it's reassuring, to hear that, from Onni. Onni, who has surpassed such odds to help save Reynir before. ]
I know we talked about it and you're getting used to seeing Monsters here, but at the same time. Knowing it's gonna happen and seeing me like this aren't the same. I didn't-
[ The truth, the kernel of it that had been buried deep, enough that Reynir himself hadn't fully acknowledged it, spills out: ]
I didn't want the reality of it to gross you out or make you... scared of me, or whatever.
[Onni can't miss the way Reynir goes to touch the horns and then can't follow through with it, like he's afraid of them. Once he drops his hands, Onni sighs and simply waits. Reynir is the type of person who likes to talk, in Onni's experience, so he expects that if he just gives it a few moments, Reynir will eventually come out with it.
And he does. He explains that not liking how it looks is part of it, but mostly that he's worried that knowing Reynir's change was coming and actually seeing it are two different things. That he's worried that Onni will be grossed out or scared of him when it actually becomes reality. For a few moments after Reynir finishes, Onni is quiet, just thinking about it, pale eyes studying Reynir, moving up and down the length of him and then settling on the horns just starting to sprout up out of his hair. He makes a soft 'hm' in his throat, and then shakes his head.]
I don't feel any differently now than I did before. It isn't gross or frightening.
[There's a short pause while he works out how to word what's going on in his mind - that he's seen and experienced things that are so much worse that some horns in Reynir's hair barely register. Eventually, he comes to the conclusion that there isn't really any softer way to say it and still be honest.]
Don't forget, I've seen and heard spirits my whole life. A lot of them are good and natural and calming. But there are even more that are corrupted by the Rash. They're twisted and grotesque and they say terrible things. This... [He gestures vaguely toward the horns in Reynir's hair.] ...this is nothing.
[Another pause, while he considers things.]
It's easy to tell when those spirits are corrupted and twisted by what they've experienced, and when they are what they're meant to be, even when I don't know what they are. You're you, still.
[ It is useful, in the days leading up to the full moon, for Reynir to have something to plan and look forward to. Any time he catches himself starting to feel nervous and dwelling on his lack of control over his own life, he redirects his thoughts to Bailey's offer to spend the full moon with him. They are going to be his first visitor to the cottage, and so Reynir uses up much of his nervous energy cleaning and decorating and getting it looking as nice as he can.
He had had plans to introduce Bailey and Onni to one another (assuming, for some reason, that they would certainly not have met any other way...), but that evening, before Bailey is even set to arrive, Reynir sees that Onni has passed out in his room, sleeping like a log. It doesn't surprise him all that much, given what he's heard about the full moon - how it can make witches weaker, not just magically but physically, too. Onni has been running himself ragged for... well, a VERY long time. So, quietly, Reynir shuts the door to his room and lets him keep sleeping. Bailey can always meet him another day.
He is particularly glad, then, knowing that company is going to be coming; Bailey hadn't been kidding about that uptick in restless energy, and by the time there's a knock at the door, Reynir his fidgeting, barely able to stay still for more than a few seconds.
Opening the door, he greets: ]
Hey, hi, come in!
let's pretend i didn't fail to tag this for as long as it's been
[Each full moon seems to get progressively more... Well, just more. The first full moon they spent in Aefenglom, it had surprised them, how differently they had felt during it. They hadn't had time to dwell on how it felt, though, what with Sylvia deciding to run off and worry everyone. The ones after that had been much more lowkey, but...
It's kind of nice, to get out of the house. Bailey likes their roommates well enough, but... Well. Bailey feels like they have to be responsible for them, which is completely irrational and they know it. Granted, they also feel like they should try to be responsible for Reynir as well, but...
He doesn't know what they were like at home, like Sylvia does. He has no frame of reference for what they were like, so maybe it's okay if Bailey lets theirself relax and just go with the flow for once in their life. They're sure Reynir won't judge them.]
Hi!
[They seem much more energetic than when they met at the cafe, bright eyed and perky. Not quite exuberant, but still more vibrant then previously.]
[ Reynir does notice that they seem to be in a brighter mood. And there are a few other little changes - maybe he is just looking out for signs of the moon's influence, or maybe Bailey really does look more... faun-y than they had the last time Reynir saw them. ]
My, um-
[ A brief pause as Reynir tries to pick what word to use. Friend? Best friend? Roommate? The guy he's going to bond with? It's so complicated. Best to skip it entirely. ]
- Onni's back in his room, I was gonna introduce you two but he's actually super wiped out and I think he's asleep already. Probably the full moon, just, sort of opposite, since he's a witch. But it's good, honestly, he doesn't rest enough, I worry about him so much, so it's actually great and I'm just gonna let him sleep. I've got snacks!
[ He gestures, unnecessarily, at the little coffee table and its huge array of crudités and jams and breads and cheeses. ]
[Bailey looks around the house curiously, taking it all in. It feels very homey, and they're not sure if it's because of Reynir's presence or not.
They definitely appreciate the snacks, and head over to the table to investigate more closely.]
Oh... I think I've met him before, actually. I hope he's feeling okay with all of this! I think full moons might get easier, but it might also depend on how you handle things on the day to day...
[Their conversation was brief, but they definitely got the feeling that Onni is the sort to put his needs last. Military types tended to do that, in their experience.]
Should we try being quiet? D'you think we'll wake him up...?
[ Maybe it's just the influence of the full moon, but Reynir is elated, knowing Onni is going out and meeting people and making connections. Even if it had been just a casual introduction, it's better than Onni all by himself, making his way through the Silent World, on his own, getting more and more isolated, feeling like his life wasn't connected to other peoples'... ]
He seems... okay. Not always easy to tell with Onni, but I'm keeping an eye out. Don't worry about waking him up, though. He's a really sound sleeper when he knows he's somewhere safe.
[ Which is a perfectly sensible way of putting it, when you are Reynir, and perhaps unduly ominous sounding, when you lack context the way Bailey does.
Reynir bounces a little where he's sitting, unable to stop himself smiling now that Bailey is here. ]
You seriously weren't kidding about all that extra energy, I feel like I could run laps around the city and not get tired. It's nice to have somebody here to talk to, though. I know some games we can play and we can talk and- and if anything changes physically because of the full moon it'll be okay because you'll be changing too and I'm not gonna fight it or freak out about it like I probably would if I was on my own-
[ Reynir can hear the breathlessness in his own voice, the way he's blurting out his thoughts without filter, but he doesn't clam up, try to stop himself the way he normally might after a little while. Everyone had said how important it was not to resist the influence of the full moon, and so he's trying. ]
And I wanna get to know you better and get to be friends and I'm really really glad you are here.
[ With that, he crunches into a carrot, delightedly. ]
[It's been nearly a month since the last full moon, and with everything in the city being so focused on love and marriages and new bonds, it's been sitting in the back of his mind that he and Reynir need to look into bonding soon. He'd originally intended to wait until something went wrong, or felt in danger of going wrong, wanting to put it off as long as possible, but he's been feeling that itchy building up of energy and heat and magic in himself, without an outlet, and it's been in his mind. Maybe it's a better idea to do it before something has a chance to go wrong rather than reactively.
So when he'd seen an opening for a bonding ceremony available at the Coven the night before, when he'd been leaving, he'd just signed up the two of them for it. Reynir seemed fond enough of the idea of bonding with him that he didn't think he would need any particular permission to do so, and when he'd come home Reynir had been asleep, so he hadn't had a chance to mention it.
It's over breakfast that he thinks to bring it up, putting his spoon down in his half-empty bowl of porridge and yogurt, pinning a look on Reynir across the table.]
Oh. I forgot to mention that I got a time for us to bond, this evening. A spot opened up last night and I thought I might grab it before someone else had a chance to. It seems to be a popular time to do them.
[And with that said, he reaches out for a slice of toast, almost nonchalant. After all, this is a purely practical thing that they're doing.]
[ Reynir has been up a few hours longer than Onni; he'd always been an early riser, and the last few days he's been feeling unusually restless. He's heard from multiple people, now, that the second full moon is when the weird monster stuff really begins to kick off. Which is good and fine and definitely doesn't make him feel powerless over his own destiny and life...
But he gets as much of that energy out as he can, around sunrise, working in the garden, getting the last of his planting done. It's good, with his hands in the soil and then seeing the neat rows all laid out, some of them with little sprouts coming through already.
He is back in time to see Onni stumbling out of his bedroom, with that disheveled and sleepy look he always has first thing in the morning, his hair still mussed (Reynir has really got to talk to him about the state of it...) and faint lines on his cheek from his pillow, blinking blearily. Reynir feels a rush of affection for him, gives a little smile that he doubts Onni notices through his grogginess, and then starts to make them breakfast.
Breakfast that is normal, as they sit quietly together eating. Right up to the moment when it isn't.
There's no warning, no preamble before Onni is telling him he scheduled a time for them to bond. That evening. Reynir, who had been halfway through a glass of water, chokes at once, coughing and spluttering and then wheezing for air. ]
T-this evening?
[ At least all that coughing is some explanation for the sudden rush of heat to his face, and he can excuse away how his heart is suddenly beating so quickly in his chest. ]
That's. Wow, that's soon, okay, good, that's good actually, because the full moon is only in a few days, and - what, um, what time should I...? I mean-
[One of the things Onni likes about being in this place is that he can sleep when he wants to, instead of having to keep a strict schedule. That means that he can stay up later and get up later, and he feels like he's catching up on sleep he's been missing for years, though he's still groggy most mornings at breakfast. He has no idea how Reynir can get up so early and seem so energetic in the afternoon anyway. Maybe it's because he's a faun, and the full moon is coming up. Or maybe it's just the way the Icelander is.
When Reynir responds, stuttering about the time of the bonding ceremony and how soon it is and the full moon and asking about what time he should be there, Onni's mouth is full of toast and he's chewing. At first, he just raises his brows, chews a couple more times and swallows, blinking blearily at Reynir.]
Is it too soon? I can change it.
[Tilting his head, he studies Reynir's face, trying to work out why he's reacting the way he is to this. They'd both known it was coming, they'd both already agreed to it. Why would the time it happens matter so much?]
Sorry. I didn't realize you wanted to wait longer, I just saw the spot and thought it might be better done sooner rather than later, since the full moon is coming up again.
[Pausing, he takes another bite of toast and chews thoughtfully, swallows before following up.]
And I've been feeling...restless. Too full of energy and magic. It might be in my best interests too.
[ Reynir responds so quickly he is almost interrupting Onni, hands slamming onto the breakfast table louder than he'd intended: ]
No! No, it's not too soon!
[ His mind is already ticking through what he'll need to do, to prep for the ceremony. Most of it gets taken care of by the Coven, yes, but even so... ]
I - don't want to wait longer. I thought - I was just surprised because I thought, I mean it seemed like maybe you wanted to wait longer or maybe you'd changed your mind entirely but you just didn't know how to tell me yet and- and it doesn't matter. I was just. I thought I would have more warning, but. Tonight is good. Tonight's perfect.
[ When Onni admits that he's been feeling too full of magic, Reynir's embarrassed flush quickly drains, and the look on his face is all worry. Even living in this place, so safe compared to their own world, Reynir has been changed by the expeditions he'd been on, by spending weeks and months in a place where peril could be so horrible and so sudden. The thought of Onni... exploding from too much magic is an awful one, and he asks, with sudden intensity: ]
Are you okay? You don't think- I mean, maybe they could move it up a few hours if it's really bad, why didn't you tell me...?
Mm, no. It's not that serious. I just thought it might be smart to do it sooner rather than later.
[Reynir doesn't seem to be objecting like his initial reaction had suggested he might, so Onni takes another bite of the toast and chews while Reynir explains himself. That he doesn't want to wait longer but he was surprised because he thought maybe Onni wanted to wait longer. Truthfully, it would've been nice to have more time to prepare his mind for something like a bond, something where he's going to be making himself so vulnerable, opening himself up to another person being connected to his mind and soul. But it isn't important enough to risk anything bad happening to himself or Reynir, not this far from home.]
I didn't want to leave it longer and I haven't changed my mind. I'm not excited about having someone else in my mind, but it's far better than the alternative. And I told you I'm not going to let you go feral. I'd also like to not explode.
[A pause, and he puts the toast down, letting it rest precariously on the rim of his bowl of porridge.]
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for jaskier
So he has made the decision to only practice outside the home. The only difficulty being... finding good public places, where no one will mind a complete novice fumbling through scales and very basic children's songs.
For now, he's been going to a little spot down by the docks; Onni hates fishing, and Reynir is hoping that he would have no other reasons to come down this way. He settles himself on a crate in a place where no one seems to be working at the moment, and starts practicing away.
It's not... pleasant to listen to, but he puts his heart into it, diligently stumbling his way through the basics that Elliot had taught him. At least, until he catches sight of someone walking his way, and lowers the recorder. ]
Oh - sorry, am I... in your way here? Do you want me to go somewhere else?
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Decidedly less romantic than he'd like.
So Jaskier leaves it often. He explores the gritty corners of the city, or he goes and bothers the fuck out of Geralt because he's bored in between the performances he's pulled so far, or the miniature adventures the Coven or others offer in exchange for coin. He's begun slowly amassing his own free coin (so he can avoid hitting up random strangers while drunk for food) but it is not close to where he had been once.
Lucky he's gotten so used to wearing the same clothes for... years. Ugh. While he's wandered in the forest a few times (and been scolded for it), the whispering trees and threat of Shade attacks are no longer quite so inspiring. Instead Jaskier heads towards the water and what, he presumes, is a sea or some body that leads to it. The air is crisp with the smell of the water, so terribly familiar that he aches a bit for Oxenfurt.
The potential beauty of the water lapping is interrupted by the squeal of some sort of dying wind instrument. Jaskier grimaces. Oh, that's...
A student. Definitely. Jaskier does the opposite of most and heads towards the notes, finding no music in them yet, but certainly some sort of effort. At first he spots the long braid (red! such a rare and beautiful color) and mistakes it to be some royal maiden's, and he quite intends to tell her she is doing such a beautiful job playing, er, whatever that is --
Until she turns and, is in fact, a he. Still very adorable, though.] What? By a dock? I'm not dragging a ship around, am I? [He smiles, teasing. This is about as out of the way as a person could be.] What's that you're playing? [He shoulders the lute case laying against his back, indicating the instrument inside.] I'm a bit of a budding musician myself.
[His tone certainly implies that's a joke.]
i'm really sorry for the delay, this week's been bonkers
Okay, yeah... good point. But what if you needed something in here?
[ He taps on the unlabeled wooden crate that he is sitting cross-legged on top of. Jaskier certainly doesn't look like Reynir's idea of what a sailor would look like, but then again, he's learned he can't trust that sort of instinct in this place. Everyone dresses so strangely and comes from worlds that bear little resemblance to his own. ]
Oh! It's a recorder. I've only just started to learn.
[ As if that wasn't painfully obvious, already.
But Reynir spots the case slung over Jaskier's back, and his attention is immediately fixed. He tries to identify what might be in it from the shape of the case, but it doesn't look like anything he'd seen at Elliot's. ]
What kind of instrument is that?
[ Then, it sinks in what Jaskier had said, and what the tone implies, and Reynir gives a nervous laugh, asking: ]
Oh no, you aren't a professional musician, are you? And you just heard me...?
no worries! same for me ;;
Certainly not a sailor in his bright red doublet and trousers. But it's almost flattering he might even look the part. Er, maybe?]
A recorder? Fascinating. A bit like a flute, then? [Certainly not an instrument he's seen himself, but it certainly holds plenty of similarities to flutes. Without invitation, Jaskier takes a seat on a smaller crate near him, stretching his legs out and placing his case over his lap.] This is my one true love. [Jaskier give shim a sly smile.] You've seen a lute, I imagine.
[He undoes the latches to open the leather, showing off the beautiful elven-crafted wood and golden adornments of his lute. He pats her gently.] There's no need to fear, my friend. We all start somewhere. I've been at this for quite a long time. [He plucks a string.] I think all pursuits of music are worth encouraging, even if you're a bit closer than most to summoning a horde of ducks.
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[ All this is fairly new to Reynir, and he's really just going off the off-hand comments that Elliot had made at that very first lesson. He holds out the recorder for Jaskier to see. It's a pretty thing - large for a recorder, made of rosewood, simple but shiny and well-made.
And he watches, in turn, as Jaskier sits and starts opening up that case he'd been carrying. The shape of the instrument inside isn't what Reynir had been expecting; he'd seen guitars, once or twice since his arrival in this place. But this isn't exactly like that, either. He stares, clearly impressed, not just by the instrument itself but by the decoration and detail on it.]
No... I haven't. It's really beautiful.
[ And almost certainly a far more complex instrument to master than this simple thing, which Elliot had even told him was often played by children who were only just beginning to learn any kind of music at all.
He laughs, loud and bright, when Jaskier says he might end up summoning some ducks. ]
It does sort of sound like I'm torturing a water fowl, doesn't it? I think it's 'cause I'm blowing too hard, but when I try to do less, it doesn't make any sound at all.
[ Reynir is still QUITE embarrassed, but at least he's always been very good at laughing at himself. And besides, Jaskier is being quite kind about his awful playing, all things considered. ]
But I bet you started ages ago, and you're really good now...
[ He seems to always be late to things. Late to realizing he had magic, late to leaving home and seeing something of the world, late to starting to learn an instrument... ]
I'm Reynir, by the way.
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for gon
He wanders out of his yard and stops the next friendly-looking stranger passing by. The guy is just a kid, really, and not that big, but Reynir knows better than to underestimate someone's strength based on their build. ]
Hey - hi, excuse me, I'm really sorry, but do you have a minute? I need a little help moving something heavy and my friend, my roommate I mean, he's not home right now. Do you... think you could...?
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when he's interrupted on his way to such an adventure (as a matter of fact), Gon has no problem stopping, blinking curiously as he turns to the stranger beckoning him. he beams, hands tightening around the straps of his backpack against his shoulders.]
Yeah, sure! That's no problem.
[Gon wanders up to Reynir, smile easing.]
What is it? I'm pretty strong, so it should be fine.
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[ He beckons Gon back towards the yard, grinning, pleased that he found someone willing to help so quickly. People in this place may be strange to him in so many ways, but at least many of them are very friendly!
The patch of land around the little cottage is overgrown, but there are signs in one corner of it that Reynir has started to clear it out. Some lumber is resting against the side of the cottage, and other small building materials. He moves past it, towards the patch of soil he's been clearing. ]
I'm starting a garden here, the soil is great I don't know why whoever lived here before was just wasting it. Oh, um. I'm Reynir Árnson, by the way, hello, thank you for the help!
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Gon crouches when he's brought to the patch of soil, eyes going wide as his peaky brows lift in amazement, softly brushing his fingertips across the rich, moist bed. nice and dark.]
Wo—ww, yeah, it's really healthy...!
[Gon springs back up with another cheeky grin, his ears flipping upwards in his earnest expression.]
Ah! Reynir. Nice to meet you! I'm Gon!
[gaze falling distracted, Gon smiles at the scope of the yard.]
This is a nice yard; starting a garden's a good idea... [Gon scratches his cheek thoughtfully. maybe he should cultivate something like a little garden himself, when space allows... his face whips back to Reynir, at attention once again.]
Ah! So! Where's the boulder?
i cannot believe i TYPOED reynir's NAME in my last tag, i'm a disgrace
[ He gives a little nod, doing his best to commit it to memory. People here tend to have very strange names, according to the conventions Reynir is used to, but at least this one is quite short and easy to pronounce.
He can tell from Gon's ears, and other features, that he must be a faun too. So there isn't even a moment's hesitation or self-editing before he launches into an excited description of his plans for the yard. ]
Yes, I've been learning about the different things that grow in this climate and I've already got some seeds collected. Once I get this cleared I'm going to go around the city and look at everyone else's gardens and see how they have them set up, and ask around if I can get any cuttings or seeds if anyone is willing to share. It's so warm here we don't even need a greenhouse...
[ They've reached the right spot, and Reynir stops, pointing to the mostly unburied rock in question. ]
It's just here.
[ It's far too big for him to shift, himself, but probably would not give Gon very much trouble at all. Reynir is no weakling; he'd grown up on a farm, after all. But he's hardly on the same level as Mikkel or even Emil. His rather spindly build certainly doesn't do any favors. ]
Maybe we both lift on the count of three?
typo life... i understand..
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SORRY FOR ESSAY
never apologize for essay or edits
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❄ it begins
He's also caught Reynir scratching at the sides of his head with weird items - a pencil, a fork, the handle of his hairbrush. Onni has his suspicions, of course, about what might be going on, that it's some kind of change to do with Reynir being a monster, but without knowing what sort of monster he is or anything about what's changing, he doesn't really feel like he has a place asking about it.
But when Reynir emerges from his room one morning and calls out brightly that he's going to pick up some things from the shop, and Onni pokes his head out his door only to see that Reynir is wearing some preposterous knitted hat pulled over his hair despite how hot it is outside, Onni has had enough. Stepping out, he deftly catches up to Reynir and reaches out to tug the hat off his head in a smooth movement.]
Enough with this. What's going on?
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The truth is that Onni knowing about his horns will make it all real somehow, and Reynir isn't ready.
But ready or not, the moment has inescapably arrived. Reynir lets out a little hiss of surprise as Onni pulls the hat from his head without so much as a warning. He reaches out as if to grab it from Onni's hands, but he's too slow, and even if he had gotten it, it wouldn't matter. The moment it is off his head, it's all too easy to see the dark brown horns curled in his bright red hair. They're a few inches long, now, and their texture is all too familiar, to Reynir. ]
Onni!
[ Reynir can't actually muster up a reprimand apart from Onni's name, stopping in his tracks. The urge to hold his hands over his head, try to cover up, is strong. Instead, he shoves his hands into his pockets and feels the heat washing over his face, a tide of it, revealing and impossible to avert. ]
Well... it's. I'm. There you have it.
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But Reynir doesn't continue on into some kind of tirade, he just shoves his hands in his pockets and goes bright red, won't make eye contact. With the hat off, the thing he was trying to hide is obvious - little horns, dark brown in colour and slightly curled, that are just long enough to poke out from his halo of red hair. For a moment, Onni looks at him while he stutters out a comment about them and how obvious they are.]
Why are you trying to hide them?
[His voice is a little softer than it usually is. As demanding as the question is, there's an obvious hint of gentleness to it.]
We've already talked about this happening. I won't let you go feral.
[A pause, and then, equally carefully.]
Is it because you don't like how they look?
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He reaches up, fingers almost brushing those horns before his hand stops in midair and he curls his fingers into his palm, dropping his arm. ]
...I'd be lying if I said that wasn't a part of it, but mostly-
[ He exhales, makes himself look up. I won't let you go feral. He knows it's only logical that Onni would help him like this and look out for him. It's pragmatic. But at the same time, it's reassuring, to hear that, from Onni. Onni, who has surpassed such odds to help save Reynir before. ]
I know we talked about it and you're getting used to seeing Monsters here, but at the same time. Knowing it's gonna happen and seeing me like this aren't the same. I didn't-
[ The truth, the kernel of it that had been buried deep, enough that Reynir himself hadn't fully acknowledged it, spills out: ]
I didn't want the reality of it to gross you out or make you... scared of me, or whatever.
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And he does. He explains that not liking how it looks is part of it, but mostly that he's worried that knowing Reynir's change was coming and actually seeing it are two different things. That he's worried that Onni will be grossed out or scared of him when it actually becomes reality. For a few moments after Reynir finishes, Onni is quiet, just thinking about it, pale eyes studying Reynir, moving up and down the length of him and then settling on the horns just starting to sprout up out of his hair. He makes a soft 'hm' in his throat, and then shakes his head.]
I don't feel any differently now than I did before. It isn't gross or frightening.
[There's a short pause while he works out how to word what's going on in his mind - that he's seen and experienced things that are so much worse that some horns in Reynir's hair barely register. Eventually, he comes to the conclusion that there isn't really any softer way to say it and still be honest.]
Don't forget, I've seen and heard spirits my whole life. A lot of them are good and natural and calming. But there are even more that are corrupted by the Rash. They're twisted and grotesque and they say terrible things. This... [He gestures vaguely toward the horns in Reynir's hair.] ...this is nothing.
[Another pause, while he considers things.]
It's easy to tell when those spirits are corrupted and twisted by what they've experienced, and when they are what they're meant to be, even when I don't know what they are. You're you, still.
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for bailey
He had had plans to introduce Bailey and Onni to one another (assuming, for some reason, that they would certainly not have met any other way...), but that evening, before Bailey is even set to arrive, Reynir sees that Onni has passed out in his room, sleeping like a log. It doesn't surprise him all that much, given what he's heard about the full moon - how it can make witches weaker, not just magically but physically, too. Onni has been running himself ragged for... well, a VERY long time. So, quietly, Reynir shuts the door to his room and lets him keep sleeping. Bailey can always meet him another day.
He is particularly glad, then, knowing that company is going to be coming; Bailey hadn't been kidding about that uptick in restless energy, and by the time there's a knock at the door, Reynir his fidgeting, barely able to stay still for more than a few seconds.
Opening the door, he greets: ]
Hey, hi, come in!
let's pretend i didn't fail to tag this for as long as it's been
The first full moon they spent in Aefenglom, it had surprised them, how differently they had felt during it. They hadn't had time to dwell on how it felt, though, what with Sylvia deciding to run off and worry everyone. The ones after that had been much more lowkey, but...
It's kind of nice, to get out of the house. Bailey likes their roommates well enough, but... Well. Bailey feels like they have to be responsible for them, which is completely irrational and they know it. Granted, they also feel like they should try to be responsible for Reynir as well, but...
He doesn't know what they were like at home, like Sylvia does. He has no frame of reference for what they were like, so maybe it's okay if Bailey lets theirself relax and just go with the flow for once in their life. They're sure Reynir won't judge them.]
Hi!
[They seem much more energetic than when they met at the cafe, bright eyed and perky. Not quite exuberant, but still more vibrant then previously.]
I hope I'm not late!
it's all good!
[ Reynir does notice that they seem to be in a brighter mood. And there are a few other little changes - maybe he is just looking out for signs of the moon's influence, or maybe Bailey really does look more... faun-y than they had the last time Reynir saw them. ]
My, um-
[ A brief pause as Reynir tries to pick what word to use. Friend? Best friend? Roommate? The guy he's going to bond with? It's so complicated. Best to skip it entirely. ]
- Onni's back in his room, I was gonna introduce you two but he's actually super wiped out and I think he's asleep already. Probably the full moon, just, sort of opposite, since he's a witch. But it's good, honestly, he doesn't rest enough, I worry about him so much, so it's actually great and I'm just gonna let him sleep. I've got snacks!
[ He gestures, unnecessarily, at the little coffee table and its huge array of crudités and jams and breads and cheeses. ]
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[Bailey looks around the house curiously, taking it all in. It feels very homey, and they're not sure if it's because of Reynir's presence or not.
They definitely appreciate the snacks, and head over to the table to investigate more closely.]
Oh... I think I've met him before, actually. I hope he's feeling okay with all of this! I think full moons might get easier, but it might also depend on how you handle things on the day to day...
[Their conversation was brief, but they definitely got the feeling that Onni is the sort to put his needs last. Military types tended to do that, in their experience.]
Should we try being quiet? D'you think we'll wake him up...?
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[ Maybe it's just the influence of the full moon, but Reynir is elated, knowing Onni is going out and meeting people and making connections. Even if it had been just a casual introduction, it's better than Onni all by himself, making his way through the Silent World, on his own, getting more and more isolated, feeling like his life wasn't connected to other peoples'... ]
He seems... okay. Not always easy to tell with Onni, but I'm keeping an eye out. Don't worry about waking him up, though. He's a really sound sleeper when he knows he's somewhere safe.
[ Which is a perfectly sensible way of putting it, when you are Reynir, and perhaps unduly ominous sounding, when you lack context the way Bailey does.
Reynir bounces a little where he's sitting, unable to stop himself smiling now that Bailey is here. ]
You seriously weren't kidding about all that extra energy, I feel like I could run laps around the city and not get tired. It's nice to have somebody here to talk to, though. I know some games we can play and we can talk and- and if anything changes physically because of the full moon it'll be okay because you'll be changing too and I'm not gonna fight it or freak out about it like I probably would if I was on my own-
[ Reynir can hear the breathlessness in his own voice, the way he's blurting out his thoughts without filter, but he doesn't clam up, try to stop himself the way he normally might after a little while. Everyone had said how important it was not to resist the influence of the full moon, and so he's trying. ]
And I wanna get to know you better and get to be friends and I'm really really glad you are here.
[ With that, he crunches into a carrot, delightedly. ]
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❄ bonding ❄
So when he'd seen an opening for a bonding ceremony available at the Coven the night before, when he'd been leaving, he'd just signed up the two of them for it. Reynir seemed fond enough of the idea of bonding with him that he didn't think he would need any particular permission to do so, and when he'd come home Reynir had been asleep, so he hadn't had a chance to mention it.
It's over breakfast that he thinks to bring it up, putting his spoon down in his half-empty bowl of porridge and yogurt, pinning a look on Reynir across the table.]
Oh. I forgot to mention that I got a time for us to bond, this evening. A spot opened up last night and I thought I might grab it before someone else had a chance to. It seems to be a popular time to do them.
[And with that said, he reaches out for a slice of toast, almost nonchalant. After all, this is a purely practical thing that they're doing.]
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But he gets as much of that energy out as he can, around sunrise, working in the garden, getting the last of his planting done. It's good, with his hands in the soil and then seeing the neat rows all laid out, some of them with little sprouts coming through already.
He is back in time to see Onni stumbling out of his bedroom, with that disheveled and sleepy look he always has first thing in the morning, his hair still mussed (Reynir has really got to talk to him about the state of it...) and faint lines on his cheek from his pillow, blinking blearily. Reynir feels a rush of affection for him, gives a little smile that he doubts Onni notices through his grogginess, and then starts to make them breakfast.
Breakfast that is normal, as they sit quietly together eating. Right up to the moment when it isn't.
There's no warning, no preamble before Onni is telling him he scheduled a time for them to bond. That evening. Reynir, who had been halfway through a glass of water, chokes at once, coughing and spluttering and then wheezing for air. ]
T-this evening?
[ At least all that coughing is some explanation for the sudden rush of heat to his face, and he can excuse away how his heart is suddenly beating so quickly in his chest. ]
That's. Wow, that's soon, okay, good, that's good actually, because the full moon is only in a few days, and - what, um, what time should I...? I mean-
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When Reynir responds, stuttering about the time of the bonding ceremony and how soon it is and the full moon and asking about what time he should be there, Onni's mouth is full of toast and he's chewing. At first, he just raises his brows, chews a couple more times and swallows, blinking blearily at Reynir.]
Is it too soon? I can change it.
[Tilting his head, he studies Reynir's face, trying to work out why he's reacting the way he is to this. They'd both known it was coming, they'd both already agreed to it. Why would the time it happens matter so much?]
Sorry. I didn't realize you wanted to wait longer, I just saw the spot and thought it might be better done sooner rather than later, since the full moon is coming up again.
[Pausing, he takes another bite of toast and chews thoughtfully, swallows before following up.]
And I've been feeling...restless. Too full of energy and magic. It might be in my best interests too.
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No! No, it's not too soon!
[ His mind is already ticking through what he'll need to do, to prep for the ceremony. Most of it gets taken care of by the Coven, yes, but even so... ]
I - don't want to wait longer. I thought - I was just surprised because I thought, I mean it seemed like maybe you wanted to wait longer or maybe you'd changed your mind entirely but you just didn't know how to tell me yet and- and it doesn't matter. I was just. I thought I would have more warning, but. Tonight is good. Tonight's perfect.
[ When Onni admits that he's been feeling too full of magic, Reynir's embarrassed flush quickly drains, and the look on his face is all worry. Even living in this place, so safe compared to their own world, Reynir has been changed by the expeditions he'd been on, by spending weeks and months in a place where peril could be so horrible and so sudden. The thought of Onni... exploding from too much magic is an awful one, and he asks, with sudden intensity: ]
Are you okay? You don't think- I mean, maybe they could move it up a few hours if it's really bad, why didn't you tell me...?
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[Reynir doesn't seem to be objecting like his initial reaction had suggested he might, so Onni takes another bite of the toast and chews while Reynir explains himself. That he doesn't want to wait longer but he was surprised because he thought maybe Onni wanted to wait longer. Truthfully, it would've been nice to have more time to prepare his mind for something like a bond, something where he's going to be making himself so vulnerable, opening himself up to another person being connected to his mind and soul. But it isn't important enough to risk anything bad happening to himself or Reynir, not this far from home.]
I didn't want to leave it longer and I haven't changed my mind. I'm not excited about having someone else in my mind, but it's far better than the alternative. And I told you I'm not going to let you go feral. I'd also like to not explode.
[A pause, and he puts the toast down, letting it rest precariously on the rim of his bowl of porridge.]
It seems like you're excited about it.
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