kenoma ➩ may 11th, late afternoon

[galdorleod]

[ The 'voice' that filters into the Kenoma Aions' minds will be instantly recognizable to anyone who has spoken to Howl in the past, but for the new Aions, this presence feels particularly... irreverent. Friendly and airy and carefree, in contrast to to the more callous apathetic mood that generally permeates Achamoth proper. In either case, yes, this is clearly Howl, and for someone who's been missing for a week, he sounds bizarrely normal. ]

Really? A party while I was gone?

Did you botch my invite by accident, or were you just having a laugh at me, ladies?

You've got to let people know about these things ahead of time. If ever you need a hand with all that in the future, come to me, alright?

[ His tone is only vaguely chiding, a sign that he's really not that bothered about missing out, even if he'd have preferred not to. With that out of the way, he switches gears. ]

To our new Aions: greetings! My name is Howl.

Please, forgive my absence at the Kenoma happening last week. Hopefully, it wasn't as miserable and humorless as the last one. Either way, you'll get used to this place, I promise.

If you've any questions that are yet unanswered, you ought to ask them, although I can't guarantee I'm the one to ask. But it's best not to get caught with your pants down, if you'll pardon the crude turn of phrase.

Comments

[hundredpower]

[The response from Barnaby is tentative, as though he finds something inherently unsettling about this form of communication, but he replies nonetheless.]

Someone was looking for you at the party, I think. [Or at least, he guesses it was Howl, though he never got a name.] Whatever you were up to, try not to worry her like that again.

[galdorleod]

[ There's a pause of hesitation following the message, as Howl tries to place the 'voice' and then realizes he doesn't recognize it at all. ]

Ah... You must be one of the new people! Welcome.

[ and... ] Someone was worried about me? I'm flattered. Who was it?

[hundredpower]

Xishen. She was looking for a missing person, and she didn't linger long after she realised they weren't there, so I suppose it must have been you.

[It's not really his business to speculate on why that was, but he figures he should at least know.]

I'm Barnaby.

[galdorleod]

[ ...Really. Huh. Howl probably should have anticipated that, knowing Xishen. But Howl has to wonder what exactly this person means by her being "worried." Hopefully she didn't make a scene over his absence, even if in her own muted way. ]

I see. Thanks for letting me know, Barnaby. [ moving on. ]

Well, tell me about yourself! I've got to catch up! What is your Legacy? May as well start with that.

not here

[lachtara]

He hears the message clearly but does not make a point to respond. Far be it from him to let Howl know that his absence was noticed. Why he wasn't present is a lingering question. Is he still recovering from the injuries...? He makes it a point to check in the near future.

[galdorleod]

[ Howl will definitely be asking later why it took you so long to check on him, old man ]

[subsist]

[ one of these days, responding to a message like this will become much easier. communion means opening himself up to others, and quite frankly, that's asking for way too much from someone like him. at least he manages to freely, friendly and affable as always. ]

It's a terrible shame you had to miss the party. We made sure to have a lot of fun on your behalf.

[ this is mostly in jest. mostly. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Hm. Another new person. To Howl's credit, he senses the jest in the message — and it only makes sense anyway, since this guy wouldn't know who Howl is to have fun on his behalf. ]

Well, wouldn't that the next best thing, if I had to miss it? Far be it from me to want to spoil everyone's good time.

You're another new one. What's your name?

[subsist]

I'm sure your presence was missed all the same. Perhaps next time, someone will make sure you're there?

[ it's not that strange for someone to miss a party, really, even with all the messages both lottie and misa sent to everyone. surely xishen's behaviour during the speeches has nothing to do with this.

(it doesn't pay to be too paranoid, he knows, and yet—) ]

In any case, my name is Kaeya. It's a pleasure.

[galdorleod]

One can hope. Or maybe I ought to hope there won't be anyone making sure I'm not there. Hah!

[ He leaves no pause after the joke to allow for Kaeya to ask what the hell that means, continuing on in the same beat. ]

Have you had a chance to see the city yet, Kaeya?

[expiera]

[...Where to begin.

A deep breath is a good place, yes, time and space to gather her bearings before she dislodges her shard and answers Howl properly. The palpitation is undeniably there the moment it becomes clear the transmission is from him, and the nature of communion means that she must be extra guarded with her emotions. She's no stranger to playing stoic, but... It still takes some preparation.

Thus her reply is not immediate, which he probably wouldn't mind; with how his message ended up playing out (too cheerful and easygoing. "It'll be in his best interest if it works. If it doesn't need to happen again."), he's probably not eager to hear from her anyway.]

It was not intentional, you were sorely missed. [She's not kidding, even if the sentiment may feel ever-so-slightly reproachful.] More importantly, have you really recovered well enough, Howl?

[There's something else that's just as important, but one step at a time. Besides, the nagging is arguably a great cover, to hide the real reason why he needs to be checked upon ASAP.]

[galdorleod]

[ Howl's attention turns to the foreign anxiety that seeps into his head. He recognizes it as belonging to a certain someone, who fretted over him so sincerely when he returned to the Lodestone on the verge of death, and is undoubtedly responsible for saving him from dissipating that day. He still hasn't had an opportunity to thank her, but considering how awkward that conversation would be, he isn't in a hurry.

When she finally speaks, something like a resigned sigh transfers from Howl's mind. Howl won't ignore her, he owes her that much. ]

Yes, I have. I feel better than ever, actually.

[ He just knows she wants to know where he was, but he'll wait for her to ask. ]

[expiera]

[It certainly doesn't FEEL like he's lying... He's not really the type anyway, she's interacted with Howl enough to know that if he was feeling the slightly bit off, he'd probably not hesitate in complaining to let the world know about his misery.

It's troubling that Ciel can't tell, whether the fact is relieving or concerning.

...

He may feel a twinge of reluctance, the time it takes for her to swallow the compulsion to ask him for further proof of his well-being.]

...Fine. With you announcing your return like that, surely it's only a matter of time before people start seeing you out and about in person anyway.

[Then they can confirm, and she wouldn't have to rain on his return parade by immediately (and literally) getting in his face. Being considerate isn't hard, yeah...!]

Then, where have you been? Misa and Lottie sent several Kenoma-wide communion broadcasts to inform everyone. It's a little difficult to believe you missed all of them without a very compelling reason, Howl.

[He sure called it... Now what?]

[galdorleod]

You can see me out and about right now, if you're really that worried. [ Howl shrugs to himself in the flesh, and the accompanying feeling transfers over from his mind.

His reaction to her question is similar. Howl does not consider what happened to him to be negative. The emotions that propelled him into violating the Regent's trust feel so far away that they're on the verge of being forgotten entirely. Far more overpowering now are the subconscious sentiments that made him so vulnerable to the Kenoma to begin with — to the degree that his conscious allegiance to it, and the Regent, is far more concrete and established. For those who had a chance to glimpse the real Howl — mostly Pleroma — there will be something about his mind that feels distinctly wrong. To everyone else, he's barely changed. ]

Like I've mentioned to others already, I was in the Entertainment District. Enjoying myself. Dionys sought me out and brought her back to her quarters. She is the only other Celebrant we know of, we've become quite close by now, you know. [ As "close" as someone can realistically get to Dionys, possibly. And yes, he does intend that particular implication by the word "close." ]

[zauneyete]

It's a shame you missed the festivities.

What sort of activities could be more fun than what was planned, to tear you away?

[ Silco asks, completely innocently. ]

[galdorleod]

[ Unfortunately — or, fortunately? — for Silco, Howl has absolutely no idea how the Regent got word of what happened, much less that a specific person is responsible for ratting him out.

But even so, Howl would not care. Does not care. Not anymore. ]

Stars above, it's been a while since I heard your voice. [ He responds to Silco's message with his usual charm. ] I was enjoying myself in the Entertainment District, if you must know. With one very special and exclusive hostess.

[zauneyete]

You must have been deep in the throes of it, then, to miss us during our little tour in the Entertainment District.

[ Testing the waters to find you didn't get sold out? Lucky Silco. ]

It's a tragedy you missed it. They threw quite the party, and Who knows when we'll have the reason for another? It's always a shame when we end up double booked.

[galdorleod]

[ Howl is not inclined to provide many in-depth details of his week with Dionys, especially not in public. Silco pretty much nailed it anyway, so he's happy to leave it at that. ]

How good could it have been without me there? [ from his tone, he means this as a joke. ] But if you found it to be such a blowout, I'm inclined to believe you. I know how much you enjoy the Entertainment District yourself.

Surely, we'll have another excuse for a party eventually. Not that one really needs an excuse, if you ask me, but still.

[lifespanned]

Howl! Hey, what gives? You're the one who ignored me...

[ That much is totally, completely honest and only (mildly) comically accusing. She was aware of his absence from the night's beginning to the end - which perhaps explains the overdramatized way she's lamenting and whining about his absence. She'd had so many plans! Cool tricks she could've begged him to do! The crocodile tears can practically be sensed over her Communion. ]

I thought you were really hurt, you dummy!! You made me get all worried.

[galdorleod]

Ah, my dearest Misa... [ of all the Regent's pets, Howl likes her the most. She's cute so easy for him to relate to, and that's especially true now, after a week of being brainwashed into loyalty. ]

To the extent that my absence was my own fault, I hope you forgive me. But you do have to admit that the invitations were sent a bit last minute, don't you? It's only because you sent me so many that I could still make out enough of their contents now, a week later, and piece it all together...

[lifespanned]

Yeah, but everyone else managed to do it on short notice...

[ She whines, still feeling like this cannot possibly be her own fault. In the end, she guesses that the fact that Howl is apparently alive and well is a good enough consolation for the fact that he didn't get to come to the party. That should be what matters, right? ]

What made you so busy that you couldn't even respond, then?

[ Inwardly... she's thinking of what she'd talked about with Xishen, about his "extenuating circumstances." And worry still remains, as to whether he'll get in trouble for not being in attendance (if only she knew.) ]

[galdorleod]

Hmm... I had to deal with some important matters between myself and the Regent. After that, I spent the week with Dionys.

[ That's probably the most straightforward answer he's given this far about where he actually was. But the usually self-conscious wizard doesn't seem to care of people piece together what really happened to him, or even just make assumptions. Let them think what they want. ]

Have you met her yet? [ Dionys, that is. ] She's the only other Celebrant Aion here, you know. I finally got to experience some of that mental overlap the rest of you have with others of your Legacy... I can't say I care for it, but it can be quite interesting in certain situations.

[spiritfury]

[ Rin understands the mechanics of what a communion should be, but she has yet to actually try it herself. Mostly because there did not seem any reason to...who would she speak to on familiar terms? It makes more sense to wait until they have an actual objective to accomplish.

That is why Howl's message catches her wholly off guard. Suddenly there is a voice coming from the glass-like hard at her shoulder, Rin has only one reaction-- ]

À̶̛͍̣̊Â̶͎̋͐͗͝H̴̨̡̪͇̘̰͎̏̈́̈́͘͝H̴̠̜͖̓̋͒̅H̵̢̬̗͉͒͂͐̀͝͝H̸̢̙̣͚͖̼̘͌̔̾͗̓̈́̚!!!̷̛̲̻̾͗͝!!̸͉̰͖̮̠͂͛̊͝

[ She screams.

It sounds like it's several voices at once, somehow inhaling and shouting at the same time through a garbled phone connection.

Sorry Howl. ]

1/2

[galdorleod]

[ HOLY SHIT HIS EARS BRAIN ]

2/2

[galdorleod]

[ it takes him a moment to recover, but once he has — ]

What in the hells was that?! Are you trying to shock me mad?! Who is this?!?