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Hiya! I'm Henry, and I don't want to brag, but I'm preeeeetty much the scariest dark mage in Plegia!
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INBOX
text / audio / video / action
Hiya! I'm Henry, and I don't want to brag, but I'm preeeeetty much the scariest dark mage in Plegia!
art credit code credit[Henry fumbles to make his device work. Computing technology is still an entirely new beast to him, and he rarely uses it now that the novelty's worn off...
In fact, the video's really off from focusing on him. There's a lot of rustly audio at first. Some samples of cobblestone. The eaves of a house. Some grimy window. Henry's silvery locks, finally.]
Oh, heya. Yep, I remember you. You're the vampire I met before I went to Dorchacht. What can I do for you?
In fact, the video's really off from focusing on him. There's a lot of rustly audio at first. Some samples of cobblestone. The eaves of a house. Some grimy window. Henry's silvery locks, finally.]
Oh, heya. Yep, I remember you. You're the vampire I met before I went to Dorchacht. What can I do for you?
[This isn't an answer that requires any extra thinking, but Henry tilts his head down to look down toward his lap.]
Bonds... Nope. [He shakes his head.] Even if I were looking for one, I was totally down and out while I was away at Dorchacht. I caught the Cwyld pretty bad, I guess! And let me tell you, the dark bruising is something else.
Anyway, people don't really wanna hang out with you when you're sick. Much less bond with you. Why?
Bonds... Nope. [He shakes his head.] Even if I were looking for one, I was totally down and out while I was away at Dorchacht. I caught the Cwyld pretty bad, I guess! And let me tell you, the dark bruising is something else.
Anyway, people don't really wanna hang out with you when you're sick. Much less bond with you. Why?
Hah, I know what you mean.
[ Not that Makoto is sick with the Cwyld so much as... turning into an undead creature and therefore inching closer and closer to death everyday, but. The affect on others is not dissimilar. ]
I was wondering if you'd want to bond with me. It can be temporary. I need one in place before this full moon.
[ Not that Makoto is sick with the Cwyld so much as... turning into an undead creature and therefore inching closer and closer to death everyday, but. The affect on others is not dissimilar. ]
I was wondering if you'd want to bond with me. It can be temporary. I need one in place before this full moon.
[For one of the first times since arriving in Aefenglom, this gives Henry significant pause. Someone proposing to bond with him? He's come to grips with the fact that bonds are not necessarily the dynamic shared between Mhairi and Nessie and can be for convenience's sake, but it still takes him aback that the question's being posed to him.
Realizing that his mouth's hanging open, he laughs.]
Ohh, I gotcha. There sure are a lot of folks out there already paired up to full capacity, aren't there? Slim pickings and all that. Sure! But why before the full moon? Do you think something's gonna happen...?
Realizing that his mouth's hanging open, he laughs.]
Ohh, I gotcha. There sure are a lot of folks out there already paired up to full capacity, aren't there? Slim pickings and all that. Sure! But why before the full moon? Do you think something's gonna happen...?
I don't know.
[ Makoto exploits the vagueness of Henry's question to avoid answering it. There's any number of things that could happen this full moon. Makoto has no idea what's going to happen. He's just got a feeling that it'll be something.
He studies Henry's reaction to the question. ]
Does it scare you? The idea of bonding. I won't be offended.
[ Makoto exploits the vagueness of Henry's question to avoid answering it. There's any number of things that could happen this full moon. Makoto has no idea what's going to happen. He's just got a feeling that it'll be something.
He studies Henry's reaction to the question. ]
Does it scare you? The idea of bonding. I won't be offended.
Noo...
[Scary things don't scare Henry. Torture, zombies, threats, bloodied axes, ghosts, creatures in the night... None of those are anything close. But getting close to people is a bit scary. The word "bonding" itself feels like that, but he reminds himself it's not. He's not sure if bonding should even count, then; Henry maintains his answer, even if trailing off makes him sound uncertain. He is uncertain. He shakes his head.]
Just that I was prepared to go without, y'know? I had this whole plan in the works for blowing up, or whatever it is that Witches do, hee hee! I just hope that picking me is what you really want.
[Scary things don't scare Henry. Torture, zombies, threats, bloodied axes, ghosts, creatures in the night... None of those are anything close. But getting close to people is a bit scary. The word "bonding" itself feels like that, but he reminds himself it's not. He's not sure if bonding should even count, then; Henry maintains his answer, even if trailing off makes him sound uncertain. He is uncertain. He shakes his head.]
Just that I was prepared to go without, y'know? I had this whole plan in the works for blowing up, or whatever it is that Witches do, hee hee! I just hope that picking me is what you really want.
[ Makoto hums a soft noise, the intonation suggesting that he might have some unspoken thoughts about what he said. After looking away from the camera for a moment thoughtfully, he glances back, one blood red eye partially obscured by his long bangs. ]
I'd been hoping to go without, too. It didn't feel right to me. [ He's choosing his words carefully. He doesn't want to say too much about himself to someone who is basically still a stranger, nor does he want to cause that stranger any offense either. ]
..."Slim pickings," as you put it, that has nothing to do with why I'm asking you. You just seemed like someone who might be a good option. Someone who wouldn't take it too personally.
I'd been hoping to go without, too. It didn't feel right to me. [ He's choosing his words carefully. He doesn't want to say too much about himself to someone who is basically still a stranger, nor does he want to cause that stranger any offense either. ]
..."Slim pickings," as you put it, that has nothing to do with why I'm asking you. You just seemed like someone who might be a good option. Someone who wouldn't take it too personally.
Oh, heck no. Especially if you're just gonna ask me outright without making a big fuss about it!
[Henry's smile broadens at Makoto's last statement, like it somehow eases all of the expectations and concerns he has about the arrangement.]
Since we were both thinking about going without, maybe we're meant to be birds of a feather, at least for a while. We can explode or go feral later on down the road, when we're even stronger and more unstoppable! But if you think I'm a good option, I'll do whatever I can to help you out.
[Henry's smile broadens at Makoto's last statement, like it somehow eases all of the expectations and concerns he has about the arrangement.]
Since we were both thinking about going without, maybe we're meant to be birds of a feather, at least for a while. We can explode or go feral later on down the road, when we're even stronger and more unstoppable! But if you think I'm a good option, I'll do whatever I can to help you out.
[The package left on his doorstep contains a plate of homemade cookies from Marie and a fresh lily flower.
“Happy Holidays! We are not friends yet but I hope we can become friends in the coming year.” is what the attached note says]
“Happy Holidays! We are not friends yet but I hope we can become friends in the coming year.” is what the attached note says]
[How nice! Henry only wishes he could take this stranger up on their offer for future friendship. They seem nice, whoever they are, and Henry likes associating with nice people. He wonders if they're a Monster, or if there's a chance that these cookies are actually enchanted by a Witch...
Even with that possibility hanging over his head, he eats them. The lily, however, meets a grim fate by becoming the subject for new necromantic practice as Henry challenge himself to keep it alive for as long as possible.]
Even with that possibility hanging over his head, he eats them. The lily, however, meets a grim fate by becoming the subject for new necromantic practice as Henry challenge himself to keep it alive for as long as possible.]
[It might have been sent by the Fae but there is not a trace of Fae trickery added as secret ingredient to the dough, she can assure him!
Do show her what happened to the lily sometime once you become better friends though! Marie would be glad to see her gift found such creative usage. The Coven would definitely be able to point Henry in the direction of Marie if he asked around]
Do show her what happened to the lily sometime once you become better friends though! Marie would be glad to see her gift found such creative usage. The Coven would definitely be able to point Henry in the direction of Marie if he asked around]
[He'll just have to do his best at sleuthing! Which he does. (For now, the lily project will remain his secret.) Upon learning who is responsible for the cookies, Henry returns the gesture - though it's in early Ieneuer before it reaches her. A sealed packet awaits Marie, embossed with her name in scarlet ink.
Inside is a very small brooch that looks something like this. Without light, it appears black and made of obsidian, but it shifts in color under light. It's fairly understated due to being so small, but a closer look shows that it's made up of tiny dragon scales and stone. Accompanying it is a note:]
Hiya! Thanks for the cookies and the flower. You made my day. I hope we can meet, too. Since you're so sneaky, I thought you could use a charmed pin that draws the attention of others to you if you just wish for it. It doesn't work on things without eyes, though. And it doesn't work on dead OR undead things, including vampires, which is kind of a bummer. But it'll work on me!
-Henry
Inside is a very small brooch that looks something like this. Without light, it appears black and made of obsidian, but it shifts in color under light. It's fairly understated due to being so small, but a closer look shows that it's made up of tiny dragon scales and stone. Accompanying it is a note:]
Hiya! Thanks for the cookies and the flower. You made my day. I hope we can meet, too. Since you're so sneaky, I thought you could use a charmed pin that draws the attention of others to you if you just wish for it. It doesn't work on things without eyes, though. And it doesn't work on dead OR undead things, including vampires, which is kind of a bummer. But it'll work on me!
-Henry
[Marie usually has no trouble grabbing people’s attention even without the use of magical accessories. However, this one is really pretty and the extra bit of attention definitely cannot hurt. So she eventually sends a short note to Henry’s device]
Thank you for such a lovely gift! I sincerely hope to grab your attention soon, with the help of your brooch or without it? We shall see!
Thank you for such a lovely gift! I sincerely hope to grab your attention soon, with the help of your brooch or without it? We shall see!
henry,
it's niles. are you alright following last months disasters?
it's niles. are you alright following last months disasters?
no but my bonded was. she's recovering well, but in the wake of all this i want to get more familiar with offensive magic. azura mainly has divination and defensive abilities. meet me behind the shop?
[None of what he's saying is false, but he's got a secondary motive that he doesn't want to voice over the network.]
[None of what he's saying is false, but he's got a secondary motive that he doesn't want to voice over the network.]
[Niles is waiting in the alleyway, on ground level for once. He's very font of traveling on rooftops then dropping down to land beside or behind people he's meeting just to see them jump, but there's no sense in doing that to Henry. First off he's not sure he'd even get a reaction. Henry was fairly unflappable from what Niles has seen of him. He once grabbed a hot baking sheet that Niles had just removed from the oven bare handed without even flinching. Secondly, no reason to pointlessly antagonize him when he was asking for favors. Instead he greets Henry like a sensible person, with an inviting wave.]
So, what's your specialty, magically speaking?
So, what's your specialty, magically speaking?
[Were he to try to get the drop on Henry, Niles's anticipation of his reaction is pretty spot-on. Since he predicts Niles and only Niles, it's most likely he would only laugh — jump reflexively, but laugh. Were it a surprise ambush, there might be some other kind of reaction honed by one who grew up on the battlefield. It's easy to predict.
Niles cuts right to the point, and Henry smiles at him.]
Well, I started with Abjuration, believe it or not. [He raises a finger.] I've always known how important dispelling and countercurses are, from early on! So compared to Azura, I'm not so different, defensively. Buuuut I've been placing a heck of a lot of study into Necromancy and Evocation nowadays... So, those are my specialties, too!
[He says he's practicing Necromancy so easily, behind this shop, with no fear of consequence. Not terribly wise, but Henry's not known for his perfect subtlety.
Still holding the idea that this is about offensive magic, Henry nods.]
I've got fire and ice spells aplenty, but I'm even working on some injurious and gruesome necromantic spells that pack a wallop... Oooh, it's delightfully nasty stuff. Trust me. I got in trouble, hee hee!
Niles cuts right to the point, and Henry smiles at him.]
Well, I started with Abjuration, believe it or not. [He raises a finger.] I've always known how important dispelling and countercurses are, from early on! So compared to Azura, I'm not so different, defensively. Buuuut I've been placing a heck of a lot of study into Necromancy and Evocation nowadays... So, those are my specialties, too!
[He says he's practicing Necromancy so easily, behind this shop, with no fear of consequence. Not terribly wise, but Henry's not known for his perfect subtlety.
Still holding the idea that this is about offensive magic, Henry nods.]
I've got fire and ice spells aplenty, but I'm even working on some injurious and gruesome necromantic spells that pack a wallop... Oooh, it's delightfully nasty stuff. Trust me. I got in trouble, hee hee!
I heard you're going on a bit of an adventure soon. Make sure you come back with all your digits intact.
[Niles' eyebrows jump up, and his ears perk to attention in clear excitement at the word necromancy, and at Henry's final comment he chuckles. They really are birds of a feather aren't they. Who else would use the phrase 'delightfully nasty' with such glee? He jerks his head to the side, gesturing into the alleyway. If they're going to continue this conversation they should take it somewhere a little more private.]
Sounds intriguing. Walk with me? [As they slip off the main street, Niles starts meandering through the back channels, slowly leading them towards the refugee district, but definitely not making the most direct path there. He wouldn't put it past Linden or Mello to be counter-tailing him somehow, although he doubts either of them are up to that at the moment. Better safe than sorry.] What trouble did you get into, exactly?
Sounds intriguing. Walk with me? [As they slip off the main street, Niles starts meandering through the back channels, slowly leading them towards the refugee district, but definitely not making the most direct path there. He wouldn't put it past Linden or Mello to be counter-tailing him somehow, although he doubts either of them are up to that at the moment. Better safe than sorry.] What trouble did you get into, exactly?
[He nods, agreeing to this walk as he tucks his hands behind his back. Though now that he's on the streets, the warnings from Witches and Monsters who take sympathy on his area of study remind him to tread carefully with what he says.]
Oh, I kinda slipped. [He doesn't like to talk about messing up magic, but it's part of the story.] I was using a spell to let one of the Rathmore guy's flesh necrotize, sloooow and agonizing. It was sooooo cool! The closest stuff I've found to dark magic, in feeling. Good stuff.
[Oh, right. Wasn't he going to be a little quieter about his love for this discipline? Henry brings his fingers up to rest over his mouth, like he accidentally said something he shouldn't have. When he continues, he just does it at a bit of a softer volume.]
Anyway, the group leader caught me. He roughed me up a bit, but not so bad. So I undid it... And that's the long and short of it.
[He inflicted necrotic damage, was reigned in by Dantes, undid it... and the untold part: he was strangled by the aristocrat for his terrible magic.]
Oh, I kinda slipped. [He doesn't like to talk about messing up magic, but it's part of the story.] I was using a spell to let one of the Rathmore guy's flesh necrotize, sloooow and agonizing. It was sooooo cool! The closest stuff I've found to dark magic, in feeling. Good stuff.
[Oh, right. Wasn't he going to be a little quieter about his love for this discipline? Henry brings his fingers up to rest over his mouth, like he accidentally said something he shouldn't have. When he continues, he just does it at a bit of a softer volume.]
Anyway, the group leader caught me. He roughed me up a bit, but not so bad. So I undid it... And that's the long and short of it.
[He inflicted necrotic damage, was reigned in by Dantes, undid it... and the untold part: he was strangled by the aristocrat for his terrible magic.]
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