How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,

[ghoulserrand]

[He normally would try to lay low in a given world. Faust, too, has suggested he's should. Brining attention onto himself is a bad, bad, very bad idea.

But he can't help it. There's working internet. And he has the power of typing and bad ideas on his side.]

Hey new world! I'm Teo! Just got here. I'm from Earth, but from my last world, I learned that's pretty common, and every Earth seems to be different from the others. Who's from somewhere new and who here's from Earth? And for those from Earth, what's the thing that makes it different?

Alternate introduction question: What's everyone's favorite thing to do here?

Comments

[ghoulserrand]

Oh! Sure! I can meet you outside in a bit?

[nomoresharks]

That sounds wonderful.
And while it isn't necessary, if you would get some hot water going, I would be happy to bring along some tea.
No magical side-effects included.

[ghoulserrand]

[Oh fuck. Oh what does he do? Oh shit.]
Sure.
I'm alright myself but my friend would probably love tea.
I'll start the water then.

action!!

[nomoresharks]

[It takes surprisingly little time for Hythlodaeus to track Teo down (Teo's unique state being particularly helpful for the task). However, it's highly unlikely that Teo will recognize Hythlodaeus on sight.

He approaches garbed in a long, black robe, hood up, and an owl-like half mask covering his face--a sight that would be much eerier were it not for the fact that the man is all but hugging himself as he shivers from the cold.]

I hope I've not kept you waiting.

[This seemed like a good, if somewhat dramatic, idea in his head, but now he wishes he'd just carried the outfit with him and changed later.]

[ghoulserrand]

[It's still pulling off eerie. It's still definitely pulling off eerie. It's enough so that when he first sees the figure, he double-takes and then jumps up in alarm. As a guy straight from some kind of horror movie he is uniquely qualified to say when something's straight out of a horror movie and that look is it. That is a "shadowy figure kidnaps you and drags you away for nefarious things" look.

Or it would be if he weren't shivering so hard. The voice confirms his suspicious from there.]

... Hyth...? Geez... that mask... really is spooky... are you okay...?

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus nods, reaching up to remove his hood before quickly tucking his hands back into his long sleeves for warmth.]

Perfectly fine, if a bit chilly.

[To put it lightly. He wishes he had at least brought his scarf.]

Is it really so unsettling?

[ghoulserrand]

It's... a little... uncanny...

[A lot. But he knows that he's worse himself so he doesn't ask the man to take it off.]

Er... You can... come in... it's just... I haven't... told my housemate... that you know... or... that you're here...

[Maybe Faust will stay in his room and just not notice...?]

[nomoresharks]

[It's a mercy Hythlodaeus is glad for. The mask doesn't provide much protection from the cold, but when you wear a robe with a neckline low enough to show collarbone, you definitely want every ounce of cover you can get. If it wasn't for Teo's obvious discomfort, the hood wouldn't have even come down.]

That's quite all right. If they happen to appear, I promise to be on my very best behavior.

[He pauses a beat and shivers again]

But I really would prefer to go inside, if you would.

[ghoulserrand]

[Best behavior. He wonders how much that will actually help. But, at least, he wastes no further time, leading the way up the steps and opening the door inside. He shuts it behind Hythlodaeus and kicks off his boots, but otherwise he stays as he is.]

Water's' ready... when you are... Do you... need anything... else?

[nomoresharks]

Nay, but thank you for asking.

[Hythlodaeus takes his shoes off upon entering, the mask being pulled down to hang around his neck shortly after.]

Is jasmine tea all right? I would be more than willing to create something else if there is another sort you prefer. Ah... as long as it isn't the flowering sort. Try as I might, I can never seem to get it right. Instead of spreading out into a beautiful flower, it just sort of... spreads out into a pile at the bottom of the teapot.

It would probably be better if I had it more often, but many of my colleagues back home thought it was too much of an indulgence to bother. A shame, really, as in my opinion, it makes for a centerpiece as delightful as it is delicious.

[ghoulserrand]

[He does mean to answer the question, but Hythlodaeus goes on with a tangent about flowering tea. He doesn't mind. He'd always liked listening in on people speaking, not to eavesdrop, but just to be there and hear it all, feel the humanness of it. And he can genuinely say--]

It sounds... really cool... [A flowering tea. He wonders if he's ever seen anything like that before. He bets Faust has, or if not, that he'd like it.]

I'm alright...You don't need... to make me tea...

[nomoresharks]

Are you sure? It really is no trouble at all.

[He enters the kitchen and holds up a finger, closing his eyes. After a brief moment's concentration, he makes a motion as if tapping the air, and light dances along the surface of the table before coalescing into a small bowl filled with loose-leaf jasmine tea.]

See?

[ghoulserrand]

[He startles a little when the bowl magically appears. He leans in, peering at in wonder only to move back. His head bows.]

If I drink... from any cup... it can never be used... again...

[There's just no way to be safe.]

I'm sure...

[He takes a seat at the table all the same. He can still enjoy the company.]

I'd have to take... my own mask off... anyway...

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus frowns slightly at that]

I'm not sure I understand. Could you not simply designate a cup to be yours and yours alone?

[Speaking of which, he begins to look through the cabinets for a cup to use himself.]

And you are more than free to take your mask off. You need not hide yourself in my presence.

[ghoulserrand]

[He rubs at his arm. At his bite.]

I... could... it just seems...

[It seems risky, but maybe Hytholodaeus is right. He could keep it in his room. It'd be safe that way... so long as he was clear and careful. But he still shakes his head.]

My face... isn't pleasant... to look at...

[nomoresharks]

But it is your face nonetheless. And the last the thing you should feel is the need to hide it within your own home.

[He finishes getting his tea ready and sits down at the table to let it steep.]

Will you not trust in me and allow yourself that small comfort?

[ghoulserrand]

[Trust him. Yeah. He can do that. He can do that...]

...Alright...

[He takes a slow deep breath, solely to calm himself. Then he reaches up. The hood is pushed back first, revealing dark hard that's starting to go ashen. The goggles are pushed up next, set down upon the table. And then, finally, he pulls down the gaiter to settle around his neck.

He blinks dead eyes at Hythlodaeus and bears half a Glasgow grin.]

If you... change your mind... I understand...

[nomoresharks]

[Hythlodaeus inhales sharply through his nose, eyes going wide, but then he closes them again and slowly lets out the breath he just held.

Teo has been honest with him, and so it is only right that Hythlodaeus offers him the same courtesy in turn.]

I will not lie to you. It is a bit... upsetting to see. I'm unused to death. [the word even feels strange and wrong to say] My people return to the star of their own accord once we feel our purpose in life has been fulfilled.

[He folds his hands and leans his forearms on the table, opening his eyes once more.]

But I stand by what I said: you should not feel the need to hide your face within your own home. In fact, I must insist you leave it off while I am here.

[ghoulserrand]

[He winces, just a little, at that sharp breath. It's about what he expected, maybe still less- he's not scrambling back or screaming. Still, the man does his best to recover and he offers his patience in turn.

He nods at the honesty and his head tilts a little at Hythlodaeus's explanation of how death works. It's strange. It's a little fantastical. Choosing to die when you were ready... He can only imagine such a thing through more depressing lenses.

Still, even as he thinks this over, there's a noted blankness to his face, like he's not quite seeing or not quite there, despite all evidence to the contrary. It's only until that very last comment that the remainder of his mouth pulls slightly in amusement.]

Must I...? Maybe... I like... my masks...

[But despite that, he doesn't pull it back up.]

So... Jasmine tea... I guess I'll... try it...

[nomoresharks]

[And just like that, Hythlodaeus is beaming again.]

That you may, but if that is how you wish to proceed, why, I may be forced to don my own in return.

[He chuckles softly.]

Shall I get a cup from the cupboard? Or would you like one made special? A housewarming gift, if you will.

[ghoulserrand]

[That draws a faint rasp of a laugh, bordering a cough. Finally, he smiles.]

You don't... have to... You've brought... Tea... Besides... I have nothing... to give back...

[He gets up before Hythlodaeus does. He retrieves three mugs from the cupboard and carries them over with now fully gloved hands.]

My sense of... taste... is very dull... I'll bring... my friend a cup... and take... the strongest brew...

[nomoresharks]

Ask, and you shall receive, my friend.

[He gets the cups ready, setting the strongest of the brew by Teo's seat, and gestures to the remaining.]

Pick whichever of the two you would like to take to them.

[relictus]

[Here comes the aforementioned housemate/friend, though the moment he's far enough down the stairs to see a stranger(?) and Teo with his face uncovered, he pauses, staring.]

[.....]

[...He tugs his hat down slightly.]

I'm interrupting... my apologies.

[He turns around to head back up the stairs-]

[ghoulserrand]

[He blinks and looks up just in time to see Faust tuck his hat down. He scrambles to his feet.]

Wait, wai-- [He coughs.] Faust...!

[He catches the man's hand, glad to at last have full gloves so he can do so.]

Come back... You're not... interrupting... I want... to introduce you... and give you tea... [He attempts to lead Faust back to the table.] This is... Hythlodaeus... he was able... to sense what I was... and he brought... tea...

[nomoresharks]

Indeed! You are more than welcome to join us at the table, my friend. You've not caused any trouble at all.

[The man--Faust's--voice sounds somewhat familiar, but Hythlodaeus can't quite place it at the moment.]

After all, technically I am the one doing the intruding.