Intro Log: February

[faileas]

Intro Log: February

I. ARRIVAL Out of nowhere, a glint of light catches your eye; your heart thunders in your ears as your body moves on its own, your mind consumed with inspecting the source. Your reflection stares back at you, just as curious from the surface - a mirror, a pool of water, your most trusted sword, something fleeting that your mind can barely remember - then ripples at your touch. A moment later, you feel a tug, and you find yourself stumbling into a dark, musty room. Behind you, a mirror stands ornately decorated with reminders of home wrought in brass and wood: the faces of people you know, and symbols important to you; all things that send a pang through your chest with the desire to return to them. Touching the mirror's surface does nothing but leave the stain of your fingerprints. When you turn to survey the room, you find there are hundreds of other mirrors. None of them are as decorated as yours - they're plain and dusty, speckled with age. Then you realize a second thing: You're not alone. Distantly, the ringing bell of a clocktower can be heard. But no matter its distance, the time is clear to make out: it chimes three times, stark, resonating like a pulse of something in this mirrored hall that you and many others have found yourselves in. For those familiar with magic, they might feel the power of the witching hour upon them, though it will feel different from what they're used to - in fact, everything does. You're certainly not the only ones here, however. On the first floor, with the doors wide open behind them in the foyer, is a small group headed by two individuals. As people begin to arrive, to come from the higher floor, they're waiting - and they're waiting for you, and your questions. Explore the rest of the mirrored halls you've now found yourselves in, or proceed to the foyer? Leaving the Looking-Glass House makes it obvious that the clock striking three was for 3 AM - the night sky is faintly cloudy, but the stars are dim in the face of two moons, even so close to the new moon as it is. The Looking-Glass House is rather nondescript two-story cottage made of grey brick, sitting at the edge of The Coven's courtyard; stones which glow as you step on them mark the path to and from the two buildings. While fairly small and plain on the outside, the inside has been enchanted to be the size of a large library, with hundreds upon hundreds of mirrors hanging, standing, and resting inside its walls. Some are broken, some are cracked, and some seem completely uninjured - but all of them are just as plain as the cottage itself, showing age in the silver beneath their glass and in the greening of their metals... Well, all except a character's personal mirror; to characters, one mirror - the one they came through - will be decorated lavishly with metal-and-wood-wrought reminders of home, and the surface will be as clear as a brand-new mirror.

II. THE WELCOME PARTY Whether you've decided to find a way out of the building you've arrived in, or decided to explore the rest of the Looking-Glass House - and perhaps finding a few familiar faces among the crowd - you feel a pull towards the foyer of the first floor. It's like a firm suggestion, as if to take you by the hand and draw you to where it begins, and the source of it becomes quite apparent upon finding one's way to the front room: a tall, comfortably-dressed older woman and her even taller wolfish companion, along with those which feel to resemble yourselves in a world-traversing sense: Mirrorbound, they're called. "There's always a right lot of you coming in, aren't there." The woman sets her hands on her hips, with her Bonded casting a glance at those looking confused - newly arrived - and those who may have followed them in to talk to the newest addition of their mirrorbound bunch. "About time for introductions though- this here's Mhairi Ainsley, ambassador to the Parliament and my Bonded, and I'm Nerissa Bell, Head Witch of the Coven - but you can just call me Miss Nessie, you can," she adds, winking. "The lot of you must be as tired and confused as the last batch - hullo to those who've joined us, too! - so just a moment, dearests, I'll set all you right up—" With nothing more than a wave of her hand, rows of seats are summoned; despite their wooden nature, they're all sturdy and comfortable, filling the foyer and spreading out a ways into the lawn behind them, making room for all of the new arrivals as well as the previous batch. After all, they'll find this just as interesting. The Witches and Monsters that accompanied Nessie and Mhairi move to make room, and some disperse into the building itself to see if there's anyone who needs tending to. Mhairi steps forward as the chairs materialize. "Please, those who are able, join us for a moment. There are many questions that I'm sure you have - we will do our utmost best to answer them, and you may take any that we can't as a promise to find some sort of solution or answer." NOTE: If you wish to interact with Nessie and Mhairi, please comment here. You have the option of handwaving the IC interaction to OOCly ask what questions your character might have for them, or for us to summarize an answer. Simply specify in your comment's subject and we'll respond accordingly. For those that'd like a more player-based interaction, Aefenglom has its own Welcome Wagon under the same header! These are players who've volunteered for the role, and those that didn't sign up may assist as well if they'd feel their character would -- have fun, and make friends. Additionally, those with notable injuries or sickness will be attended to ASAP by Coven-based witches, and should anyone be curious about what they are - if they have magic potential, or if they swing a different way - then this can be done during this and the general hour or so the new arrivals are within the Coven's grounds. There are ongoing classes on magic, monsters, and Bonding as well, though they take place more during the day than at night - feel free to have your characters attend them at any time!

III. THE HAVEN After an hour or two of general chaos, questions that the natives attempt to help with, and injuries tended to for those who arrive in poor condition, it's time to make a trek to where you'll be staying while Nessie and Mhairi continue to search for a solution to the situation. As you're leaving with a few Bonded for guides, peculiar-looking devices - watches, the native Witches explain, compliments of Parliament - are passed around to all the new arrivals; they're given a quick rundown on their functions and bid to test them out when they can. They can even do it as they make their way out of the Coven's courtyard and to the Haven. Formerly part of the Aristocratic District, The Haven is just as well-kept and brightly-lit as the district it hails from. The houses err on the tall and ornamental-side, large enough to fit several families (or, according to the upper class, their one family, several dozen servants, and guests), especially closest to the Aristocratic District. They become a little more modest and smaller as one gets away from the realm of high society and nearer to the Residential District proper. Newcomers are shuffled here and invited to find somewhere to live - the Coven is currently handling expenses for the houses themselves in a program implemented by the Parliament, though if your character wishes to have anything extra - like maids, chefs, and so on - they'll have to pay for them themselves with their own earned money. Much of the landscape and fixtures are the same as in the Aristocratic Districts, though it lacks formal emergency services due to its roots as part of a district that already did. Much of the housing already has furnishing due to the speed at which homeowners were relocated; they were given enough time to collect their valuables, but standard furniture such as kitchenware, couches, beds, etc. were left behind for those moving in. Other houses appear the same, but the dust on the floors suggest these houses were left before the new arrivals even showed up - a reminder that the Cwyld can strike just about anyone, regardless of standing. Another portion of this district has been opened up to the new arrivals: the barracks, the row of buildings pressed against the very edge of the Bright Wall. As the city's military force no longer has the same presence it previously did, the barracks have gone into disuse, and a cleanup effort has been in place since before the new arrivals came through the Looking-Glass House. For those who desire something a little less opulent, the barracks might just be the answer. The barracks can also be used for business, for a welcome center, a communal space, for anything that the residents of the Haven see fit to use it for - so long as the legality isn't questionable, on the surface. To help with filling up the larger houses - and even some of the smaller ones, and the shared rooms in the barracks - the Witches put together a little roommate finding service, on a smaller scale from the grand opening of the Haven. For those who aren't entirely sure who they want to shack up with, they have a small survey for them to fill out and post on the board they've magicked up in the center of The Haven. The board also very helpfully reads aloud each form for everyone to hear in a cheerful, monotone voice. It isn't able to be shut up, nor is it easy to ignore, being imbued with a kind of amplification magic. It reads simply the information you've offered up yourself, or that someone might have written up for you, should that be their idea of fun.

IV. Faiolleach From the 1st to the 3rd of Feoveuer is the holiday of Faiolleach, a time of spring-cleaning and purification in preparation for the new solar year, of rebirth and youth. It comes at a fitting time, after the dark happenings of the previous month - happenings that most natives are not willing to discuss, except in hushed, sympathetic voices. It was horrible, you know, best to cast that negative energy out. They won't discuss the details, not being privy to them; that's for Mirrorbound to clue the new arrivals in on. Many who have been here longer, though, will notice that Mirrorbound do not receive such a negative response in the wealthier areas of town as they did before. The vast majority of citizens, wealthy elites included, are, at the very least, polite. Despite the storm cloud of the Rathmores' trial on the 3rd hanging over the city, citizens are trying to put on their cheerful faces to celebrate Faiolleach. Originally celebrating the arrival of the sun, it was represented by a daughter of heaven whose name has been lost to ages - many still leave small offerings of food and drink out to this mythical figure, believing it bad luck not to do so. This is mostly done by older natives; the younger generation brushes it off as superstition. They're much more excited about speed-dating parties set up around the city, and blind dating, encompassing the traits of good luck and fertility traditionally held by the holiday. a. Speed-Dating The popular Faiolleach trend among the youths of Aefenglom is speed-dating, normally held in small to mid-sized gatherings of similarly-aged humans and Monsters both. The parties are all independent, usually held at small restaurants or bars, or other local shops rented out for the occasion, and many try to out-do the others - different themes, costumes or dress codes, and magical gimmicks are present at different bashes. They all hold to a similar mechanic: party participants are encouraged to make the rounds and spend just a handful of minutes with each person, sharing information about themselves in order to determine compatibility, but the level of structure (casual to organized) and the types of icebreaker games differ wildly. Revelers in the streets are out to pull walk-in participation in whatever bash is going on nearby, but they back off easily if the person isn't interested. It's certainly not a required part of the holiday, but they're eager to see people having fun. Whatever a person's tastes or interests, it's probable they'll find a gathering to their liking; some are skewed more toward finding someone to Bond with or making a new friend rather than finding someone to date, while some held in the Red Light District are a little spicier, with lingerie or kink themes to their parties. Participation is all optional, but meeting new people, regardless of how, is highly encouraged. b. Bonfires After dark, on all three nights of Faiolleach, bonfires of different sizes are held, scattered around the city, the flames magically contained in circles of runes (to avoid more possible fire damage, with repairs still ongoing from last month). People gather around them to dance, sing folk songs, and share warming drinks with one another. Like the speed-dating parties, they vary wildly from area to area; some are folksy, all-ages affairs where grandmothers tut and offer hot chocolate to ward against the evening chill. A common children's and young adults' activity at these bonfires are decorating wands of white birch wood with ribbons and baubles, and using them in the group dances to create mesmerizing swirls of color and sparkle. Others, especially those in the Entertainment District, feature beautiful dancers of all species in fine silks and satins, performing dances that are a little more sultry. At the obviously-adults-only bonfires, the favorite drink passed around is alcoholic in nature, and lightly spiked with a potion to help the drinker lose some of their inhibitions and help them loosen up. These effects will be readily disclosed to anybody who is offered a cup, to let them choose for themselves - but hey, where's your sense of adventure? c. Light a Candle The 2nd of Feoveuer brings with it a more minor, but still well-loved tradition. As dusk falls, all candles in the city are lit, casting a warm glow from every window and on every street corner as the dark of night sets in. The flickering lights lining paths and shining in homes lend a more metaphorically-magical air to Aefenglom, bringing with it a sense of renewal and shared joy. Light a candle with loved ones and new bonds alike, and it's said to bring good fortune to your friendship or relationship. As the candles burn, several food vendors can be found selling a particular festival dish, a thin pancake topped with fruits, nuts, and cream, meant to be shared with someone by feeding it to them. For couples (or those pretending to be couples), often the vendors will offer the sweet treats for free with well-wishes for their future together.

V. Inkchanted For some time already this has been hailed as the opening day for Inkchanted, a Mirrorbound led tattoo parlor in the Harbor district that offers… well tattoos, but not normal tattoos: these are enchanted. It’s not a popular use of enchantment school, but it works nevertheless. With the use of special ink, runic spells are weaved into the tattoo’s design, which allows for various effects. For Witches, this can mean instant activation of spells without the need for chanting or gestures. Just run your magical energy through the design and the effect is instantaneous! For Monsters... that’s where things become interesting because Monsters also are granted use of that specific tattooed spell. The caveat is that the tattoo must be charged with Witch magic, or draw on magic stored in a sort of ‘battery’ they also have in the store. Said batteries are made of various jewelry or pendants, ranging from simple materials like copper and glass to more expensive made of silver and opals. Ink in the tattoos does not last forever, though; they will fade away entirely after reaching the limit of their use (which is said to be anywhere between 15-30 hours of continuous use, depending on the design’s size). A cheaper alternative to the tattoos are painted spells, with similar specialized paint to help them stick to the skin. Instead of a time limit, these have a limited number of uses and will disappear afterwards. That’s what it says on the paper, but a keen eye will notice that despite opening on the advertised day, there must have been some complications quite recently. There are signs of fire around the building, and any help with painting over them is greatly appreciated. Likewise, windows seem particularly new, and there are still shards of glass that could be found outside; anyone willing to help with this particular detail will be compensated by an old sailor named William who is renting the space to the young Mirrorbound, If asked what happened here recently, he becomes serious but tries to brush off the questions. When it becomes apparent that new Mirrorbound have appeared, the owners of the parlor scramble to find something for them to do, and thus end up encouraging a simple activity meant as practice for Witches and Monsters, both old and new. They offer a vast amount of magical energy batteries and encourage the Mirrorbound to form pairs, where one person fills the battery with magic, while the other attempts to siphon it out, cycling the energy this way. The only thing they ask is to have the batteries left fully filled. Soon, it turns out that the exercise might come with some side-effects, from getting memory-flashes of another person that used the battery, to sharing their emotional state or even simple thoughts. And should someone try and steal the magical battery… they might find themselves chased by one of the owners or… knocked right into the harbor’s water by a magical ward placed on the entrance if they don’t have a way to counter it! Note: More on this player-run business and its owners can be found on the Locations page! Big thanks to Shuu and Lena and co. for this prompt!

Welcome to the intro log! While mingling on the log itself is highly encouraged, feel free to make your own logs; take the prompts offered and go wild, go crazy, go stupid, have fun. The network system is free to use once characters have their watches as well; information on that can be found at the bottom of the Setting page, while any extra questions about it can be found in the FAQ index. Quests can be picked up now as well! While new characters will have to get settled in, you can go ahead and put your name on some by replying to the February's Quest Pickup thread on the Quest Board. Finally, if your character is getting into any Shenanigans, let the mods know and if you have any questions about the log, ask them here!

Comments

3

[crestfallenfor]

[So Bernie's not the only one drawn in by the bonfires. It feels a little... homey, almost, despite there being nothing really like the festivities, there's just something... warm about it all.

And, no, not just the temperature.

But even so, Bernadetta is surprisingly easy to spot, lingering on the outskirts - at least for someone who knows her... and also knows the tell-tale signs of someone being cold but too stubborn to do anything about it.

...Okay, Sylvain guesses in her case it's more like she's too shy to do anything about it.

But that's where he comes in. Or, over. With a spare mug of cocoa in hand to offer her, bending at the waist.]

I see you made it through the dream, too.

[Once she takes the cocoa, he'll go about pulling off his tasset to drape it around her shoulders. It's not a whole lot, but it's heavy wool and fur-lined, so it should help somewhat... if she doesn't scream and throw it off.]

[bravelyathome]

[She takes the mug without thinking, a little distracted by a pretty dance move. When she feels the warmth flooding her fingers, Bernadetta blinks and looks to see cocoa before looking to see Sylvain talking to her. Immediately her cheeks color. Honestly it's a good thing she has a hot drink in her hands now because it's keeping her from flailing at the shock.

Oh. But the cloth is so warm and she can't help but to melt a little at that. Okay, maybe she...won't scream. Yet.]

Sy-Sylvain. I... You...

[Deep breath. Calm down. Try to...not lose it.]

...thank you.

[For all the warm things. She really appreciates it so much.]

[crestfallenfor]

You looked like you were about to freeze out here.

[He couldn't just do nothing! His clothes from home are keeping him nice and cozy just fine, but... well, she's from the South, and too shy to come close to the fire, so she looked like she was especially feeling the cold. It was the least he could do, if she was going to be out of her room to enjoy the festivities.]

Are you adjusting alright?

[Do you have a room to hide in yet???]

[bravelyathome]

I wasn't... I...

[Okay, so she buries herself a little more into the warmth of the fabric and takes a sip of the drink. Because she's realizing that maybe, juuuuust maybe, there's no point in resisting this one.]

There's so much going on. It's a lot to get used to. And there's so much we have to take care of. And...

[She looks down at the mug in her hands. She's doing her best but it's a lot.]

[crestfallenfor]

[She was - but he won't argue, because her burying herself further and sipping at the drink is proof enough. No sense in making her feel anything like shame for protesting, when it could be considered polite... to a point.

Besides, there's more important things to discuss.]

It's overwhelming, isn't it?

[Even for him - so he can only imagine what it's like for her, who gets overwhelmed if someone so much as looks at her. Full stop. Not even looks at her funny, just looks at her.]

[bravelyathome]

S-sorry. I shouldn't be ruining the mood.

[Stupid. She's sure he came here to have fun but here she is being overwhelmed by everything. Especially not when he's being nice enough to help her warm up again.

Time to put all the thoughts aside for a bit. Don't think about being a monster. Don't think about needing a bond. Don't think about how she might go crazy.

Just...don't.]

[crestfallenfor]

What mood is there to ruin?

[Sure the festival was all cheerfulness and happy children, but they were sitting on the fringes of it, in the dark and the cold. It was a naturally gloomy mood already, and the situation they were in was overwhelming. It made sense she would be out of sorts.

He's out of sorts.]

Bernadetta, I don't mind. Honestly.

[bravelyathome]

You don't have to pretend to be okay with it. I don't mind.

[She wraps herself up a little tighter in the makeshift blanket. Is it weird that it's nice that it smells like him? That's probably super weird.

She tries to give him a tiny smile at least.]

There's probably lots of people better than me to spend time with.

[crestfallenfor]

If I wasn't okay with it, I would have left after making sure you could be warm.

[Instead, he's here. Still sitting with her. Because she's right - there are lots of people to spend time with. Maybe better, maybe not, but the point is, he's enough of a social butterfly that he could suss out who would be better, if he cared to.

He doesn't care to, right now.]

Trust me, alright?

[bravelyathome]

You're just trying to trick me into getting more pages of my story.

[She tries to be huffy but she's just honestly not feeling it right now. It's hard when she's feeling too scared about all the stuff associated with being a monster. Transforming, bonding, possibly going crazy...

It's so much to take in. And more so after her talk with Hubert.]

No. I know you're not. That's not it at all.

[crestfallenfor]

Heh, if I thought it was that easy, maybe.

[No, that's really not it at all. Besides that, he knows that rushing her to write more would be detrimental to the story... not that he has any time whatsoever to read it right now, with all he has to learn about this place.

That forest was one thing - sitting in the heat and humidity, not doing anything, essentially waiting to wake up - but here? There was too much work to be done.

Maybe he'd beg her to continue once he actually manages to carve out some time to read for pleasure instead of for research. That'll be nice...]

But if the hot cocoa helps, then let me know when you're back to writing and I'll bring you some right away, alright?

[bravelyathome]

You really want the story that badly, huh.

[It's stupid to think about this. Bonds shouldn't be formed this way. She can't believe she's even considering this. Except that she's scared and she feels certain that Sylvain is safe. He's a horrible flirt but he's never tried to do anything like that to her.

She bites her lip. This is so stupid. He's going to say no. She's got time to figure this out so she doesn't need to rush it. She should take that time to figure out who would be really good for this. Yeah. That's it.

The next words blurt out despite the decision she's just made.]

I-If I write more of the story, w-will you bond with me?

[Her face goes bright red and she squeezes her eyes shut. Oh no. Stupid, stupid, stupid!]

[crestfallenfor]

Well, yeah, I-

[He'd been intending to keep the conversation light, easy, but then she blurts out her question and it stops him dead in his tracks.

On the one hand - the fact that she feels like she can trust him that much, to put herself in his hands like that is enough to send him reeling on its own. Him? Really? And not someone like Hubert, from her own house, someone who didn't have a hand in killing her?

But on the other hand, bonds go both ways. He hadn't given it a second thought when he'd proposed it to Felix, but... she barely knows him. He feels like he knows her a little better, given that the protagonist of her story resembles her quite a bit, but... he hasn't let his mask down around her, and nor did he intend to. This would be like giving her express permission to peel it away whenever she wanted, if he understood the process right.

So he goes quiet. Seems like he's genuinely mulling it over, though whether that's because he's considering it or trying to figure out how to tell her no is impossible to determine, even for him, really.]

[bravelyathome]

[Oh no. She's right. This really has been a terrible idea. She's such an idiot. Bernadetta grips her mug tighter and curls in on herself a little more as she forces her eyes open. This is why she shouldn't have asked out of fear. Because he doesn't want to bond with her any more than Hubert does. No one would want to bond with her.

She finds her feeling a sinking feeling in her stomach over how much that scares her. Swallowing, she gets to her feet so she can stand in front of him.]

I'll...um... You can have me if you want! I don't know what you'd do with me but you seem... gentle...and...

[Her face goes redder and she realizes she sounds like a desperate idiot. The mug falls from her hand to spill all over the dirt below.]

I... Please ignore me! It was stupid! I'm sorry!

[And she turns to bolt.]

Stupid, Bernie! Stupid! Stupid! No one wants you! Get used to that!

[crestfallenfor]

Bernadetta, wait, I-

[She's standing in front of him, and making terrible assumptions about the both of them, and if he wasn't reeling before, then he sure is now, scrambling for words and not caring in the least when she drops her mug of cocoa, because, honestly, his slips from his hands a moment later.

And, yeah, they don't know each other well, but he knows her well enough to be able to tell that she's about to bolt, so he stops trying to think and stands to at least catch her by the arm to tug her back in close.]

You don't have to do that. Don't ever think you have to do that for anyone.

[And he actually sounds kind of angry about the idea, tone dropping low and dark like he's plotting the demise of whoever might have put that idea in her head.

He can't do anything about it if it was his own reputation, but... all the same it's not pleasant to think about, and she'd seemed so scared and desperate and... he's made his decision, hasn't he?]

Just... calm down. Let's talk about this, alright?

cw: suggestions of a history of abuse/thoughts about the subject

[bravelyathome]

[The way she flinches when he grabs her arm, how her other arm goes up to defend herself, shows that her first instinct is that she's expecting to be hurt. Sylvain has never given her reason to believe he'll do that but old habits die hard. And she's already tried to make herself as small a target as possible before she can even stop herself.

It's the anger in his tone. Even though it's not directed her way. It's not about her but it's so easy for her to respond in fear to it. Sylvain's not going to hurt her but someone in the past has out of anger.

Namely her father. Something that isn't really common knowledge.]

...p-please let go. I'll stay. Just please let go. I'm...I'm s-scared.

[Because she trusts him enough to reveal that much at least. To say she's scared.]

cw: ...same tbh

[crestfallenfor]

[She flinches.

He knows that kind of flinch, knows the way she makes herself smaller, less of a target, arm up to defend herself. He knows it all far, far too well, and the fact that he'd caused it in someone else, especially because of a reaction when he wasn't thinking makes his blood run cold and his face goes very, very pale.

He lets go, sort of. All the strength leaves his hand and it slides off her arm instead of him making a conscious decision to let go, but the effect is the same.]

I'm sorry... I didn't mean to scare you.

[Bernie is always scared. This is a different monster of fear entirely.]

[bravelyathome]

[There's tears in the corners of her eyes as she feels his hand slide off her arm. All the anger seems to flood out of him and she feels the fear leave her when she sees that look on his face. Like he's just seen a horrifying ghost.

Looking around, she sees that no one has seen what happened. The benefits of them being on the outer edges while there's music going. So she licks her lips then steps closer before hesitantly taking his hand to urge him to sit down with her again.

She won't cry. She's okay. Sylvain doesn't scare her even if that anger did. Honestly she doesn't know if holding his hand is even helping. Maybe it's making things worse.

But she has to try.]

[crestfallenfor]

[She takes his hand, and he nearly flinches back on reflex, but... her hand is small, and cold, and she is urging him to sit back down with her instead of crying or running or cowering from him, so...

It's fine. They're fine.

He lets out a shaky breath and sinks back down with her, holding her hand a little tighter.]

I... really didn't mean to scare you...

[He still can't look at her, so his gaze is instead fixed on the cocoa soaking into the ground and the two upturned mugs.

What a waste... he'll have to go apologize to the granny that gave them to him later.]

[bravelyathome]

I...I know.

[It hurts a little to have her hand squeezed like that but she takes it. He's scared too, she can tell. She doesn't know what ghost he saw but if she can help him win against it a little bit then she can squeeze her hand all he needs to.

He doesn't even have to tell her what he saw. That's fine. She just hopes that this helps.]

Are you okay?

[She doubts it but that's supposed to be the question you ask anyway.]

[crestfallenfor]

[She's right to doubt it.

But the question is grounding in its own way, and he takes one more deep, steadying breath before loosening his grip on her hand again, offering her a bright smile that is most of the way back to being normal.]

Yeah. I'm alright.

[Because that's how he's supposed to respond.]

Are you really sure you want to bond with me, Bernadetta?

[bravelyathome]

Yes.

[Suddenly, she finds herself surprised that she didn't hesitate. Looking down at the hand he's been holding, she sees the edges of the cloth somehow still around her shoulders. Lightly, he runs her fingers over it before speaking softly.]

Because you listened to me.

[He really listened and stopped right away. And she knows he wasn't trying to hurt her. Honestly, he didn't at all.

Bernadetta lowers her hands to her lap, clasps them together to squeeze them tight.]

Because you stopped.

[crestfallenfor]

I'll do it... on a couple conditions, if you don't mind...

[His response came quickly enough that he had to tack on the rest, though it feels... almost cruel to, at this point. But he has to try and be rational right now, and not let emotions take control of the situation more than they already have.]

I won't bond with you - or with anyone - right now. I... don't understand this magic yet, so I don't want to hurt anyone I'd make a bond with while I'm trying to figure out the basics. I... should have it before it gets dangerous for you, but...

[He still can't look at her, and brings his free hand up to rub at the back of his neck. It sounds like he's making excuses not to, even to him, but... it's all true, so he has to hope she'll believe him.]

If you find someone else you'd want to make a bond with, and if they want to make a bond with you, please do it. Don't... get your heart set on this idiot at the cost of your safety, alright?

[bravelyathome]

[Looking up at the conditions, she finds herself listening. Really listening. It's not one of her best skills when she's stressed if she's to be honest but she does this time. Probably because the shock of them having an unexpected understanding has somehow settled her.

It's hard to explain.

Because she's actually listening to him, really hearing him, she's able to piece together what he's saying. Far better than her usual bad habit of jumping to conclusions. Which makes her realize that maybe she needs to find a way to apologize to Hubert. She might have twisted his words now that she's thinking about it clearly.

Hands folded in her lap still, she takes a deep breath.]

Okay. But I... I still want to with you. If that's okay. It feels right, you know?

[She smiles a little. Bernadetta can't put her finger on what has led her to this conclusion but suddenly she's just...not scared anymore.]

If I do find someone else and still want to... Will that be okay?

[It goes against everything she's been trained to think about herself. To ask for something that she wants, to really ask for it. To not only ask for it but to be insistent on it. This is different from standing up for herself when it comes to how she's treated because this is asking for something purely because she'd like to have it. It's a little scary but it feels pretty...good?

She just has to ask. That's the first step. Ask.]

[crestfallenfor]

[Honestly, he knows she tends to jump to conclusions. Oddly enough, he's not assuming she will this time. Maybe it's because she's not backpedaling a mile a minute. Maybe it's because of the odd understanding they found.

Whatever the case, she listens to him, and decides she still wants to.

He honestly can't help but laugh a little at that. It's not a bright or happy sound, though - it's more... tired. Disbelieving. That self-depreciating edge still very much there.]

Yeah. Yeah, I think so.

[He should probably put down some more conditions for that, though, but... he doesn't want to. He should probably say that if she finds a second, it would be easier on all of them if it was another Witch. He should probably discourage her from choosing him in the first place.

But she clearly doesn't want that.

It sparks a warmth in his chest, small and fragile, and he doesn't want to let it go... and he's pretty sure it'll stay even if she does find someone else and doesn't go with him after all.]

If that's what you want.