we're moving castle

[galdorleod]

Who: Howl & you! [open]
When: From Octeuril 16 until Samuin
Where: Aefenglom (Various)
What: Howl is back and he's in a Mood. You may not have realized he was gone at all; what happened and why is he "back"? Perhaps that has something to do with the Mood. At any rate, the Wizard is up to something and conspicuously restless. [Open prompts under the cut!]
Warnings: n/a


1. move on (10/17)

[ Howl spent his first night back in Aefenglom at "home" - the residence he shared with Mikasa, where he'd lived since the other first night he arrived here. But when he laid down to sleep, he could not ignore an overwhelming feeling that he could not stay here any longer, and when he abruptly woke up the next morning, his mind was immediately returned to the same thought.

One hour later, just as the morning sunlight has breached the rooftops, there's a carriage outside on the street. Howl comes in and out with armfuls of boxes, books and wooden chests, slowly filling the back of the carriage. Despite the physical work, he's well-dressed and made-up in his finest cosmetic spells, with hair recolored blond.

Should he see someone he recognizes on the street, he might pause to entertain some small talk. Otherwise, any curious strangers will be called out once he notices them staring. ]

Pardon me! [ after emptying his arms, he beckons. ] I could use a hand - I'll pay you for your trouble.

2. prestidigitation (10/17)

[ As the day reaches noon, the eateries along the border between the shopping district and the entertainment district start to come alive. Howl's moving carriage stops at one particularly busy corner so he can wolf down some street food, but it ends up staying there throughout the lunch hour - attracting a sizeable crowd around it during most of that time. The vendors hardly seem to mind, as the traffic can only boost their sales, but it's surely an annoyance for those simply trying to pass through on their way somewhere!

The slowdown is over what is, essentially, a cheap street performance. The wizard, in an effort to flirt, performed a simple feat for a young woman, and against his expectations, she tossed a coin to him instead of accepting it as a romantic gesture. Instead of being insulted, he started doing magic tricks for anyone willing to watch. Sure, nobody is that impressed - the citizens of Aefenglom are as accustomed to magic in daily life as Howl is - but his showmanship is enough to keep people entertained. Not to mention... some of these "magic" tricks aren't involving magic at all.

Is it demeaning to be performing on the street, accepting pocket change for tricks? Yes. Does Howl care? Nope. ]

3. a voyager, a settler (10/17)

[ By the end of the day, Howl's carriage reaches a small, empty two-story building in the entertainment district, sandwiched tightly between two newer, larger buildings. The bottom floor was once a small store of some kind, although it's unclear whatever used to be sold there. Above it is a one room apartment, intended for use by the shopkeeper. He spends the next several hours unloading his belongings and carrying them into ground floor of the small building. When the final item - a basket of folded tunics - is set down in his new home, the sun has set and the street lights are on.

The rented carriage wheels away. The street outside of the old store is moderately busy, with people wandering here and there to various destinations in the entertainment district. After a few minutes, Howl reappears outside the front door. He takes a seat in the low light of the street lamps and produces a bottle of dark alcohol, the neck decorated with a black ribbon and dried flowers. ]

You - Mirrorbound, yes? [ Howl suddenly says, picking his head up as someone passes by the stoop. He holds up a clean, empty shot glass. ] Care for a drink to help me celebrate? I just moved in.

4. focusing (week of 10/18)

[ One fortnight has lapsed and there have been few outward developments at the old store Howl has taken up residence in. Other than the erection of a cheap wooden sign painted Pendragon, and the installation of blackout curtains in all of the ground floor windows, no other changes have been made to the exterior of the building. Howl has invited nobody inside, and nothing has been hung outside to announce when this "business" has is open for customers or closed for the day.

But, the building has not been entirely quiet. Starting on the night of the 18th, and every night after that, strange noises can be heard coming from the ground floor from people standing on the sidewalk outside. Despite the blackout curtains, periodic flashes of light and glimmering sparkles peek out along the edges of the windows. The chimney emits a continuous stream of smoke that changes in color from black to light blue to purple and back to black.

What exactly is going on in there? Maybe you'd like to knock and ask if he's alright. Maybe you'd like to try to peek inside, or even sneak in through the open window on the second floor. If you know Howl, maybe you'd like to send a message to his watch to check on him. Or maybe you're just a very unlucky sap who happens to be walking by when Howl bursts out of the front door, dashes onto the side walk and suddenly asks if you'll help him with something incredibly important. ]

Comments

1.

[disasterstraight]

[ Jin Zixuan is just passing through, on his way to the shopping district to pick up a replacement teacup for the one he broke last week, when he's stopped by a familiar face. He hasn't seen Howl since their conversation on the watches a month or so ago (really, it has been sooner than that, but he still doesn't know that large feathered creature he fought alongside was Howl). He would like to think they're friends-- for all that Jin Zixuan will allow himself to have friends-- and friends do favors for one another, right? ]

Hm? Alright. Are you moving?

[ He's not as strong as he once was, with all his brittle bird bones, but he can still help move lighter boxes. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Seeing a familiar friendly face like Zixuan's is refreshing; it unexpectedly lifts Howl's spirits. He hadn't intended to goad any acquaintances into helping him move, but if he's willing and it allows for more small talk, then why not? ]

Indeed, I am. [ Howl beckons for him to follow him inside, smiling softly. He talks as they head up the wooden stairs towards his room. ] To the entertainment district, in fact. A small unit, used to be a shop of some kind, with a residence on the floor above.

3

[afoolshope]

[Minato was underage but it also wasn’t like anyone would really do anything about if he said yes. Ultimately, he declined with a shake of his head, although he still parked himself on the stoop to take a big bite of a hot sandwich he bought. It was savory and warmed him during the chill of the autumn evening.]

Too young but I’ll stick around. What kind of shop are you opening?

[galdorleod]

[ Too young? Huh. The young man doesn't strike him as such, at least not by the drinking standards applicable in Howl's homeworld. But he doesn't particularly mind if he doesn't drink either, especially if he's willing to sit and chat.

So he pours himself another shot instead.]

A sunglasses store. [ he brings the shot glass to his mouth and stops ponderously. ] For vampires.

3!

[battlebound]

( Steak may or may not be finding excuses to get out of the house since he returned. given the whole five minutes on Tierra he was so generously gifted by Aefenglom's magic when he left this place, refamiliarising himself with the streets isn't exactly necessary, but staying still feels worse.

besides, he's broke again, and a man needs coin to live. so, off to the streets he goes, spending the day doing favours for people who are glad to pay him, until the streetlamps switch on and he begins to consider returning to the house.

or going somewhere else. he hasn't entirely decided.

but, suffice to say that the path he chooses leads him past a man who calls his attention and offers drinks, and while Steak is rarely one to turn down a drink, he squints at the offer. )

Don't you have anyone else to drink with?

( but, you know, he's still heading towards the stoop. so clearly he isn't that bothered. )

[galdorleod]

[ Ah-hah, it worked! A grin spreads across Howl's face and he pours a shot for him as he meanders closer. When he looks up again, he glances around, jokingly pretending to look for someone else to pass the shot to, before holding it out to him. ]

Apparently not! Here, here. Don't drink it yet, I'll pour another for myself. [ He picks up a second shot glass from his feet. This one has been used already. ] What's your name, mate?

2.

[themogget]

[Mogget does not do magic tricks for payment. He finds that just being a cat and acting 'cute' is usually enough to get him what he wants out of a situation, and sometimes he doesn't even need to speak.

He had noticed that he hadn't seen Howl around, but he hadn't marked it much. The two of them had only met once or twice, after all, and though he found the young man slightly more interesting than other people it hadn't been enough to move his mind to wondering where he might be. He certainly notices him on the street, however, and he approaches with his tail held high.

The small white cat winds his way through the ankles of the crowd and seats himself a very short distance away from Howl's feet. In his estimation, the presence of a cute animal tends to prompt people to be more generous. Whether or not he means to prompt such generosity by his presence is anyone's guess.]

[galdorleod]

[ The crowd applauds with vague bewilderment at Howl's most recent trick, and with a flourish of his hands, he bows deeply. The sound of coins falling at his feet makes him open his eyes - and that's when he notices the cat. That cat, Mogget, the talking one.

Suddenly, he feels strangely self-conscious. What's Mogget doing, sitting there! He can't be watching him, can he? Does he mean to embarrass him later? As some of the crowd dissipates, as it tend to do between tricks, he picks up coins and uses the time to whisper at him. ]

Not even a hello, cat?

2

[whiteofcrime]

[ Kaito honestly didn't expect to see anyone else performing for change on the streets here. Not when you can play with REAL magic and awe a crowd. But the wonder he'd seen in the kids' eyes earlier that day had given him a boost in confidence, and so he wanders the city to get his bearings (as well as suss out good spots where he might attract a sizeable crowd of those who can spare the change.

Imagine his surprise at seeing Howl then. He slows to watch for a bit, tipping his head to the side as he eyes the tricks performed. That's definitely not real magic. Unless Howl is pulling something truly unique, he recognises the moves used. Scoffing, he raises his voice: ]

Is that the best you can do?

[galdorleod]

[ Howl is not pulling anything unique, he's using the 10 points invested in his Charisma stat to make the tricks more entertaining than they really are. The heckling voice just manages to catch the wizard's attention over the applause of the small group watching, and so he spins to face its direction with a flourish, his diamond-patterned coat flaring out around him like a cape. ]

Oh, hardly! When the Sisters are in the sky, I can do it with my eyes closed. [ Howl grins at the stranger while his other onlookers laugh. ] What's your name, sir?

4

[bloodwit]

[ viren's curious. he's not quite enough of a busybody in this instance to knock, but the building had certainly earned a lingering glance as he'd strove by it. and this is followed by a halting of movement when a blond — witch? certainly, he presumes — advances right his way. ]

[ he still manages to look properly bothered, shoulders pulling back as he draws himself to his full height. there's a wrinkle of his nose, an eyebrow arcing. ]

Important, how—?

[ he's hopeful it just, in actuality, is incredibly so. curiosity aside, that would may be worth his time. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Howl grins and clamps his hands down on the man's shoulders, as if the question instantly made them both the best of mates. Sure, the stranger's giving him a look close to disgust, but he sounded curious, and that's good enough for Howl. ]

I would not even know where to begin! It's much faster to show you. Please, come inside - I promise it's completely safe, and if it works, I'll find a way to pay you for your trouble. [ he starts trying to pull him up the stoop steps towards the door. ] Come along, now! Your name, sir?

1-ish

[stopfen]

[She's up early. She always had been Tater needed feeding, as did the chickens that Jean had left. First Trucy vanished, then for a while Howl had as well. After the first week she'd thought she'd been on her own.

Well, not completely alone. She still had the animals and could hear them. Her main reason for rooming with Trucy to begin with had been her own inability to sleep when it was too quiet. She was used to the noise of the barracks, then Sasha's snores.

So Howl just turning up again got a slow blink, a tilt of the head. Not hostile, but not particularly welcoming. Like that morning when she'd first learnt he was there after Jean had brought him home. At first she ignored him moving boxes about while she worked on the garden. He had a lot of things... Though normally he was bringing them into the house...

Around the second or third time he appears she pauses.]

Are you cleaning your room? [She was just going to plant her shovel and lean on it, farm girls gonna chill.]

[galdorleod]

[ Howl had said little to Mikasa since his return - a few cordial words, but nothing more, nothing about where he'd gone or why his mood is so reserved. He still has no intention to converse with her when her question comes, but after a pause, he sets the box down. ]

No. I'm moving out, to my own residence.

3

[chefalier]

Huh?

[Sanji stops dead in his tracks when he hears the offer from Howl, legitimate surprise appearing on his face just from how generous he appears to be. Normally, he would have his Observation Haki to help him discern people's motives, but with the dampening of his abilities here, it's all down to basic ol' trust.

...Not that Sanji would consider himself to be a distrustful sort, but he also doesn't want to fall so easily into a trap.

Oh right, he still needs to actually answer his question. Sanji shoves his hands in his pockets, and while he appears to be somewhat casual, it does appear that he's trying to gauge the situation.]

Yeah, I'm Mirrorbound. Sure you wanna ask me to drink? [He wonders why not ask a beautiful lady instead-- actually wait, it's best if he goes with this guy.]

[galdorleod]

Why not? I haven't anyone else to celebrate with, and we Mirrorbound are forced into a sort of camaraderie by circumstance.

[ He begins to pour a shot into the clean glass. ] I don't believe we've met. Are you a newcomer?

1

[silentsavant]

[ At first, Soren looked hesitant to approach once he'd been caught staring and secretly sniffing out the source of this fragrant and floral eau de enchantments, but in the end he nods and comes forward. ]

Those are the magic words. This will be no trouble for me at all.

[ It doesn't... look like it should be easy for someone of Soren's meager height and build, but one only needs to observe the leathery crimson wings and ebon scales to cast their preconceptions of what the young monster can do with such weedy-looking limbs aside.

Then, in a burst of whitish-blue light, the boy scarcely over five feet tall shifts, expands, and towers over Howl. Presto! Change complete. If there were any doubts that he was a dragon and not some kind of bat-goat-reptile chimera, there aren't any longer. (Maybe. Isn't that basically what a dragon is?)

[galdorleod]

[ Howl beams up at the black and red dragon and puts his hands on his hips, looking quite satisfied. This isn't what he was expecting when he saw the stranger, but he'll definitely take it. ]

Ah, excellent! With a dragon's power, I'll be done with the last of it in no time. No starting fires, though. [ Howl performs a short, polite bow. ] I am the wizard Howl. What is your name, sir?

3.

[hearthebell]

[While not much in the entertainment district draws the pale and somber figure with a bend in his spine, he works and lives at opposite ends of the city. When returning to the Haven from the Harbor District after spending the better part of the day at the orphanage, cutting through the city center is the quickest way to get there, and since his work is volunteer-based, it's not as if he has the disposable income to blow on shows and prostitutes, even if he wanted to. Generally, he keeps his head down, hurrying past the crowds (and through them, when he must) in overlarge, dark clothes that give the impression of a youth wearing his father's trousers and jackets.

It's a quieter part of the district, because people do live here, though L wouldn't unless his situation was particularly desperate. That's saying something, considering he's been voluntarily homeless within the last year; he's just the sort of person who is picky and discerning to the point where elements of survival are all-or-nothing. If the roof or fellow inhabitants aren't to his specifications, he'd rather go without. If the activity is distasteful to him, he would rather do nothing. If the food isn't to his liking, he would rather starve.

Alcohol is rather the exception to the rule. He cannot tell the difference between top and bottom shelf, caring more for the chaser than the mixer, and he pauses, nodding, when Howl asks him if he's Mirrorbound.]

You... want to celebrate.

[He says it slowly, as if weighing what kind of person would be happy about moving in here, but he does draw closer. In spite of the disturbance, he's wryly impressed with this bold tack for approaching people. He himself is too cautious and too wise (or, perhaps, too anxious) to take a similar one.

Also, it happens that he has a reason to celebrate, too.]

Congratulations.

[He couldn't strike a sharper contrast to Howl. They're both taller and thinner than average, but there's a jaunty energy to Howl. L seems more languid and brittle, suggestive of general poor health and habits, and that's pretty accurate, all things considered. He has to change now that he's got two Bonds who are relying on him to hold down his own constitution, but... ah, here he is, accepting a shot glass from a stranger in a seedy part of town. Small steps.]

[galdorleod]

[ When the stranger turns to him and accepts the drink, Howl is immediately stricken by his gaunt face and scarecrow figure. The wizard has the savoir-faire to keep his shock and concern to himself, but he resolves to be careful about how much drink to offer him. ]

Aye, I do. And you don't have to sound so surprised about it either, so. [ Still smiling, he gestures for the young man to come join him. Judging by his appearance, Howl would guess he's in his late teens, but it's hard to say when he's in such a poor state. ] A house is a house!

4

[morbide]

[Pendragon, is that right?

Henry doesn't go to the Entertainment District much. But he's been here for well over a year, and this doesn't look familiar. Besides, the shoddiness of the sign gives away its freshness, doesn't it?

The first day he passes it, Henry doesn't bother with it. But it's a few nights later that he's passing Howl's humble abode on his way to the Harbor District (surely to wait for his Bonded to finish her shift; she works tables at a bar) that flashes of light peek through the blackout curtains from within, and the sorcerer's made to bow to curiosity. Henry tries peeking through whatever crevice he can, but to no avail.

When that fails, he straight up just... walks to the door and knocks.]

Anybody in there? Or is this spooky light show and sinister smoke just part of the ambiance? Gotta say, you've got a curious customer out here on the streets!

[So if it's ambiance at work... Count Henry enticed! What on earth is this shop about?]

[galdorleod]

[ The flickering lights stop and there's a shuffling and thunking noise from behind the door. A few seconds later, it opens wide enough for Howl to stick his smooth, beautiful face through the crack.

It takes a moment for Howl to recognize the man on the other side of the door, but when he does, he grins. ]

You...! Oh, what was it... Henry? Henry, right?

so late it's not even fashionable anymore (2!)

[dirtdevil]

[ the thing about crowds amassing around something on the street—aside from being annoying as shit for anyone trying to get by—is that those who weren't particularly blessed with the gift of tallness won't have a clue what's happening. short of slithering their way into the very front, the only option for these unlucky souls is to just hang around and wait for the crowd to disperse a bit.

it's not like he was getting anywhere like this, anyway. might as well see what all the fuss is about. and as people start to move on, it becomes apparent that it's... just some guy doing lame magic tricks.

in a city where half the population is a fucking wizard.

maybe that's why he's a bit huffy and annoyed when he finally comes into view. ]

A bit like selling shit to a pig, don't you think?

[ he wasn't blessed with the gift of eloquence, either. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Rather than causing any insult to Howl, those huffy words cause a handful of other onlookers to turn their heads and frown at him with annoyance of their own. The tense moment draws Howl's attention. Smoothly, without missing a beat, he takes a step in the heckler's direction to draw everyone's attention back to himself. ]

And you, piglet, have finally made it to the front of the line! Well done!

[ The heckler himself might not find that very funny, but the joke draws laughs from everyone else and quells the awkward tension. He sweeps his arm dramatically, after which, the inside of his coat has changed colors - despite no use of magic words or a focus by Howl - which prompts more applause and coins. ]

Is it so wrong if people are enjoying themselves, sir?

2

[wordsinthesoul]

[Well, when did a bit of sleight of hand hurt anyone? It seems… perhaps an odd choice, but it's the sort of thing that comes in handy. Thancred steps closer, head tilted.]

Very nice! Is that one your personal favourite?

[galdorleod]

Hmm.

[ Smiling, Howl tips his head thoughtfully and pulls his hands back, preparing for another trick. The last one involved the production and subsequent disappearance of a coin from nowhere; it's a simple maneuver that relied on misdirection and the use of a duplicate. It could easily be spiced up with some extra real magic. ]

I've known it since I was a very small boy, so perhaps you could say it is. [ He flips the coin into the air, swipes his hand to catch it, and misses. After the coin clatters to the ground, he opens his palm to reveal that it isn't empty at all, but holding a whole fistful of coins. ]