hugtopia | How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world,

[Teo grabbing his hand is a little startling, but despite clear discomfort with the situation he doesn't resist his hold or being led to the table. Someone else who was able to sense something was different about Teo... a wizard, then? His eyes linger only briefly on Hythlodaeus' face before drifting to the mask hanging from his neck, then to the tea on the table. The smell is tempting...]

...Where did you find tea?

[Sorry he's not great with pleasantries.]

[He ducks his head a little to hide the way Faust's poor manners make him want to laugh. Really, He's surprised Faust didn't pointedly clarify that he's not anyone's friend.]

Good question...

[He doesn't have the answer to that.]

Hythlo... this is Faust... We met... in the last world... He sensed me... like you did...

[He goes to take a seat, releasing Faust's hand, but not before sliding one of the mugs closer to him.]

It's Jasmine...

[Hythlodaeus sits up straight, eyebrows arching.]

You are gifted with aethersight as well? Or something similar, in any case.

[Rare as it is, even among his kind, it's almost comforting to know there's more than two here who can. If it truly is the same thing, he reminds himself.

To search for familiarity is one thing, but to search so desperately as to cling to any small amount and declare it the same is just.... well. Desperate.]

As to your question about the tea, I simply created it for us to use. I'm not terribly fond of the sort the replicators make, you see. It always leaves a strange aftertaste.

[He lets Teo introduce him as he hesitantly sits down himself, glancing briefly at Teo before taking up the tea. It's just enough of an incentive to keep him from finding an excuse to retreat back to his room.]

I'm not familiar with that term. I am a wizard, if that means anything to you.

[He frowns at the tea. He simply... created it? Impressive... though now he's not sure how it will taste...]

I was only able to get that thing to produce some sort of powder. [Spoken distastefully; he didn't bother trying to make use of it.] If I had access to the right herbs, I would grow my own... but conjuring it out of nothing is beyond my ability.

Different worlds... different magic... Faust sensed... a curse on me... and you... it was souls... you said...?

[With Faust settled at the table with them, he immediately feels much more content. He draws his own mug closer, letting it warm his hands through his gloves.]

If there's... any sort of thing... I can do... Errands or... something... We'd appreciate... more tea... more often...

[He speaks this to Hythlodaeus, and though he says "we" he of course means the tea will be for Faust.]

A common sentiment, from what I've been told. [The lack of creation magicks, he means.] But I would be more than happy to furnish you with whatever sort you would like. The only payment I require in turn is the occasional cup and the joy of your company.

[He looks to Faust]

And Teo has the right of it. I am capable of seeing the aether that flows through the world, as well as the unique color of an individual's soul. In Teo's case, while his soul is undeniably present, his corporeal aether closely matched that of the deceased.

'Twas a sight I had never seen before, and thus was my curiosity piqued.

...The tea would be for me, though my company would be a poor offering next to Teo's.

[Is that a compliment to Teo or a dig at himself? yes.]

Aether is akin to magic, then? At least, that's what it sounds comparable to in my world. There are things I can naturally sense that a human wouldn't, though sight doesn't play into it in this particular case.

[But that aside... he focuses on Hythlo more directly.]

...Clearly you've now seen what he is more directly. Now that your curiosity has been satisfied, what do you intend to do with what you've learned?

Your company... is fine...

[He offers the quiet assurance even as his head ducks over the complement. He speaks somewhat less of a whisper to Hythlodaeus.]

If that's all... then that's...

[He was going to say it's fine, but the warmth fades from his face as Faust speaks directly to Hythlodaeus. He glances from one man to the other. He considers speaking up but part of wants to hear whatever answer may come.]

[Hythlodaeus blinks, looking to Teo and then back to Faust, cupping his chin in thought.]

I'm not sure that's my place to say. Ultimately, it's Teo's decision.

[Hythlodaeus closes his eyes and cocks his head to the side.]

But to speak to mine own desires, I should like to continue to converse. The more, the merrier, as they say, and a new friend is always welcome.

[Teo's assurance is wasted on him. At Hythlodeaus' response he relaxes just a little. He finally takes a sip of his tea, taking a moment to quietly savor it. He may have left it up to Teo, but-]

...Teo could use more friends. But it's important that his condition not become common knowledge. I don't trust that he will be safe here if that happens. Do you understand?

[He feels strangely detached from the conversation then. What's being said doesn't bother him beyond the subject itself of the threat over him, in fact it's kind of... strangely flattering having people interested in his company and his survival. But something...

He listens to the caseworker talk while he sits, arms folded sullenly, at the back of the room.

"And you believe you'll be a good fit? Despite what I've told you?"

"We know this kind of thing takes a lot of care. We believe we can do this."

He scoffs in disbelief, "Not even going to ask me anymore?"

He makes a faint whine, pressing a hand to his head and then giving it a shake.]

... Sorry... [What was he saying?] I, uh... I told him that... I'd be in trouble... if people knew... He said that... there were others... able to sense...

[Hythlodaeus nods to Teo.]

Indeed, and I shall tell Faust the same thing that I told you: there is another I know with the selfsame abilities as my own, and should he ever learn of Teo's condition, I swear him to the same silence I myself shall uphold.

[And because he can't quite tell if Teo's uncomfortable with the conversation (he did seem to zone out there, but with the glassy eyes it could simply have been Hythlodaeus's imagination), it seems a change of subject may be in order.]

But come! I would know more of the two of you. You met in a previous world, did you not? How exactly did that go?

[He glances over at the quiet whine with a small frown. Maybe he remembered something? But he doesn't press.]

...I see. I suppose I should have expected as much, with this many people here from different worlds...

[Maybe he can fashion a charm to help conceal him from that sort of detection... something to think about later. Right now he's being unwillingly dragged into small talk.]

...There isn't much to know about me. There isn't much to say about how we met, either... I had been there about a month or so when he arrived, and he revealed his affliction to me the same day.

[He's still a bit nervous about this other person. He's still nervous about Hythlodaeus in truth. But so far, things have been okay and for that he's grateful and his faint smile likewise.

And then he outright snorts.]

That's just... plain not true...

[He shakes his head. Faust's life is his to give out, but he knows there's plenty more to Faust.]

I was stuck... on an island... he rescued me... I was both... an ignorant human... and... clearly worse...But still...

He asked me... what he sensed... and I thought... I didn't have... a chance against... magic people... but... maybe...I could plead for... his trust... if I told... the truth...

[He beams at Faust.]

He's been... looking out for me... since then...

[Ah, yes. Now this is familiar.

Hythlodaeus grins from ear to ear.]

Oh dear, whoever shall I believe?

[He covers his mouth as he laughs]

By all accounts, the two of you seem close. Full glad am I to see so wonderful a friendship come to be, even in the dark times the two of you had to live through.

...

[He just looks the other way and drinks some more of his tea as Teo tells his more detailed version of events, still doing so as Teo beams at him.]

[Hythlodaeus' response gets a faintly flustered noise from him, though.]

You're getting the wrong impression. It was more of a practical arrangement than anything like that... yes, I looked out for him, but in turn that was to ensure he didn't lose control of his hunger and hurt anyone.

[Which is still the case, although some things have changed since they first met...]

[Hythlodaeus's comments make him grin, though he still peeks at Faust to be sure no line's been crossed. His amusement in the moment is tempered by what Faust follows with.]

That's true... too... [His head bows a little.] I can't be... allowed to hurt... anyone... even if it... means I must be... killed...

[And Faust had said he would do that for him. Not that it really matters who. Just as long as it's taken care of.]

But... that's something... I appreciate... as well...

[Hythlodaeus lowers his head.]

I see.

[Or so he says. But how could he possibly? How could he know about any of this? Never has he had to face the trials the two of them have gone through. Never has he had to make a decision like theirs. Never has death been so... so complicated. So painful.

He can barely wrap his head around it all.]

'Tis an unenviable task, and one that I hope is unnecessary. For both of you.

[Faust doesn't seem bothered by the idea, if a tad somber, but that could just be his usual gloominess.]

...At the least, his hunger should be easier to manage here. There's no need for him to hunt.

[Considering winter was approaching in the last world they were in, the timing was fortunate as well... he looks over at Teo.]

Which leaves ensuring you aren't at risk of being discovered by the natives, or anyone who would deem you an immediate threat... as well as preventing your infection from spreading.

[He ducks his head with the reminder of that. Indeed, winter had been close. In his own world, he could simply expand his hunting grounds, but the island was contained in itself. The reality that he might need to his time had loomed.]

The replicator... can make... interesting things...

[Even explaining what Faust means as cryptically as that he still feels a wash of shame for it. Still, he looks up to meet Faust's gaze.]

I'm careful... You know I am... I never touch... anything... without the gloves... I only showed him... because he knew... and asked...

And because I threatened to wear my own mask if he continued to wear his.

[A cheerful reminder, and a weak attempt to lighten the mood.]

For what it's worth, the both of you have my aid should you ever need it. I know little of the condition, but you have my utmost support. Mayhap with time and proper resources we may even be able to put together a proper disguise--something that lends itself to considerably less layers of clothing.

[It seems to fail to lighten Faust's mood, but his response to Teo is a little softer, at least.]

I know. You've been doing well.

[Even if he can make some impulsive decisions, sometimes. Hythlo's suggestion reminds him of something he's been meaning to bring up to Teo...]

...That would be good, yes, if possible. Or at least some new clothes in the interim.

Speaking of which... [He looks at Teo again.] It wasn't an option before due to how the world we previously resided in affected my magic, but- I should be able to transform you to look the way you did when you were human.

[It's something he's had in the back of his mind since he had the chance to see what he used to look like, but...]

It would not serve as a suitable disguise, however. The magic would not last very long.

[He's not offering for practical reasons, though.]

[There's the faintest hint of smile for Hythlodaeus' joke. Good try, buddy. Don't take Faust personally.

In total subversion of that thought, Faust's soft assurances mean everything.

Doesn't stop him from faintly muttering-]

I like... my clothes... [Besides, he's not exactly sure how he could have less. He supposes he doesn't need four layers... But he does need the mask and goggles. And the hood helps.

He blinks at Faust.]

You could... do that...? [His eyes are wide, almost afraid to hope.] How long...? [Except there's a problem and it makes his face fall.] If people think... I'm normal... I won't have... as good an excuse... to hide otherwise...

[He hums thoughtfully]

If not a disguise, then what do you intend to use it for?

[He sets down his tea to cross his arms.]

What else? For when he's here. [He makes it sound like it's obvious, whether or not it was- and to Teo,] Your body is beyond saving, but your heart remains. To look in the mirror and see yourself the way you feel you should, even if it's only in private- that can be healing in its own way.

Of course, if you feel otherwise, then forget I said anything.

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject