[ after the Inn, the bar is the place Will hangs around the most. So it's impossible to not notice a new scent when he walks in. A newcomer! He should greet him, make a good first impression.
But something tickles his nose that makes him pause. A familiarity in the man's magical scent. Similar to how a sibling of someone he knew would smell familiar even without meeting them. But not physical. Pranic.
Or he should say aetherial, shouldn't he? He's rather intimate with Clive's strange tangled unending aether, so of course he would recognize a portion of it when he smelled it. This man is from Clive and Joshua's world. And likely tangled somehow in their strange history.
A familiar emotion rolls through him. If he was the type to self reflect in any meaningful way he'd call it something akin to... melancholy and dread. A sensation of inevitably. But he never has been that kind of man and he won't start now. So he just sighs softly through his nose. It is what it is. No reason to not be friendly, as always. So when he approuches he is all smiles and wagging tail]
[Where Will seems to be all eagerness and energy, a fair level of suspicion seems to cloud Dion's face. His eyes narrow as they scrape over the other man's form, taking in the odd traits that the man seems to possess. To Dion's credit, he isn't alarmed, at least not outwardly. He's been in the Grove just long enough to spot a number of people with what he might call strange features.
That doesn't mean he isn't suspicious, though. Storm had been waylaid by enough Beastmen to leave him on edge. Yes, Will's more open and energetic demeanor at least seems to bode well, but without any further information, Dion's suspicion fails to be quelled.]
You assume I was referring to the wine? For what reason? [He glances sidelong at the bartender, hoping that they haven't been overheard. It wouldn't do for him to insult the proprietor.] Further, my business is my own, and unless you feel have reason to interrupt, I suggest you move along.
[Schooled in propriety as Dion is, the urge to roll his eyes is barely more than a pinprick. Already, a picture of the man before him has begun to paint itself. So far, it doesn't look so good.]
Is this how all folk of this town are? Warm and concerned for thy neighbor?
[It's a near foreign concept for Joshua. Save for the Rosfields and those associated with them, very few in the Twins have felt any inkling of concern for those around them. Sanbreque was the prime example of that.
When he speaks, his voice seems to have at least lost its critical edge.]
You need not worry for me. Long have I shouldered these burdens. I am well acclimated to their weight.
[Dion rises as if to follow. His fist clenches at his side. It reminds him of his early days within the dragoons, of the incessant teasing and harassment housed within the barracks. He feels just as young and foolish as the man had only just accused him of being.
But he isn't a boy. And he will not be accused of this much. He marches after Will, drawing even at the bar. Behind it, the half-bird creature — Luca, as he had been called — regards both of them with a lack of amusement. Dion can tell, just at a glance, that he expects a fight.
[ Luca's judgement alone already has Will's ears drooping... and the shell seals the deal. As the newcomer turns to leave:]
Wait. Ser, I wasn't trying to start anything with you. I... forget not everyone is in the mood for my humor so soon after arriving here from Seasons knows what.
[That convinces Dion to slow. He turns back, his own expression smoothing into something much more composed.]
Your apology is both appreciated and accepted. [He is tempted to leave it at that. However, something prompts him to hesitate. As his gaze shifts to the floor, he offers:] I am more on edge than I would usually be. That does not help matters.
[ Will's ears and tail fluff up at 'grovel'. Rude!!]
Almost everyone here is, yeah. The shopkeep and the trader are local I think, and the Guardians. But pretty much the entire village is people that just appeared here, me included.
[ though he supposes, in theory, they are all prodigal sons returning home, if those brand memories and the gods are to be believed. But that's a lot to take on day one. It's been two months and Will still isn't ready to just accept it]
[He doesn't seem particularly bothered by the concept of other worlds. It helps that Ultima had already alluded to as much to Clive and Joshua. If anything, he's just relieved that everyone here, thus far, hasn't wanted to sap the life from the planet or anything like that.]
No matter. If there is a way here, then surely there is a way back, wouldn't you say?
Most likely, ya. No one has found it yet, but we've all pretty much agreed that the best way to do that is to take out the Other Sun- one of the gods here. He's the one running this madhouse.
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sticksandbones2025-01-03 12:00 pm
ii
But something tickles his nose that makes him pause. A familiarity in the man's magical scent. Similar to how a sibling of someone he knew would smell familiar even without meeting them. But not physical. Pranic.
Or he should say aetherial, shouldn't he? He's rather intimate with Clive's strange tangled unending aether, so of course he would recognize a portion of it when he smelled it. This man is from Clive and Joshua's world. And likely tangled somehow in their strange history.
A familiar emotion rolls through him. If he was the type to self reflect in any meaningful way he'd call it something akin to... melancholy and dread. A sensation of inevitably. But he never has been that kind of man and he won't start now. So he just sighs softly through his nose. It is what it is. No reason to not be friendly, as always. So when he approuches he is all smiles and wagging tail]
Oh come now, mate. The wine isn't THAT bad!
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That doesn't mean he isn't suspicious, though. Storm had been waylaid by enough Beastmen to leave him on edge. Yes, Will's more open and energetic demeanor at least seems to bode well, but without any further information, Dion's suspicion fails to be quelled.]
You assume I was referring to the wine? For what reason? [He glances sidelong at the bartender, hoping that they haven't been overheard. It wouldn't do for him to insult the proprietor.] Further, my business is my own, and unless you feel have reason to interrupt, I suggest you move along.
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A joke, a joke! I would never insult master Luca's spirits like that-
[ he lifts a hand to the side of his mouth, as if to tell a secret]
-especially if I want to keep drinking them, heh!
As for my reasons, well... you see a stately looking newcomer looking so down in his cups, a bloke can' help but check on 'em.
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Is this how all folk of this town are? Warm and concerned for thy neighbor?
[It's a near foreign concept for Joshua. Save for the Rosfields and those associated with them, very few in the Twins have felt any inkling of concern for those around them. Sanbreque was the prime example of that.
When he speaks, his voice seems to have at least lost its critical edge.]
You need not worry for me. Long have I shouldered these burdens. I am well acclimated to their weight.
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Not all. But more than probably should be.
As for burdens- young bucks should be careful carrying too much or they'll curve their backs.
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[His lips press into a thin line as a spark of irritation flashes through him.]
You know naught of my path. Do not attempt to trivialize me based off of anything so paltry as age.
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Just an observation! Could be of anyone. But I see I've stoked Ser's ire enough. I'll leave you to it.
[ and he saunters his way to the bar, tail swishing like a self satisfied cat's]
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But he isn't a boy. And he will not be accused of this much. He marches after Will, drawing even at the bar. Behind it, the half-bird creature — Luca, as he had been called — regards both of them with a lack of amusement. Dion can tell, just at a glance, that he expects a fight.
Instead, Dion slides a shell across the bar.]
For his drink.
[And with that he aims to turn away.]
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Wait. Ser, I wasn't trying to start anything with you. I... forget not everyone is in the mood for my humor so soon after arriving here from Seasons knows what.
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Your apology is both appreciated and accepted. [He is tempted to leave it at that. However, something prompts him to hesitate. As his gaze shifts to the floor, he offers:] I am more on edge than I would usually be. That does not help matters.
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You have already been forgiven. You need not grovel any further.
[Though Dion has picked up bits and pieces here and there, he does make a note of one thing.]
Arrivals from other worlds are not uncommon here, then?
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Almost everyone here is, yeah. The shopkeep and the trader are local I think, and the Guardians. But pretty much the entire village is people that just appeared here, me included.
[ though he supposes, in theory, they are all prodigal sons returning home, if those brand memories and the gods are to be believed. But that's a lot to take on day one. It's been two months and Will still isn't ready to just accept it]
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[He doesn't seem particularly bothered by the concept of other worlds. It helps that Ultima had already alluded to as much to Clive and Joshua. If anything, he's just relieved that everyone here, thus far, hasn't wanted to sap the life from the planet or anything like that.]
No matter. If there is a way here, then surely there is a way back, wouldn't you say?
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[He makes a note of all of these names and references. He'll have to ask for more information later.]