aionchat | kenoma ➩ may 11th, late afternoon

[ 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.

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[ That does give her pause. She'd been under the impression from her short conversation with Xishen that the Regent would be excusing Howl for "extenuating circumstances," which she assumed were his injuries. But what he's said complicates things...

It doesn't take long for her to shove this all to the back of her mind for later consideration, or at least delay thinking about it deeply until she hears more from Howl himself. No use trying to solve everything all at once. She's found she tends to get things totally wrong if she makes an attempt at case solving too early. ]

"Certain situations...?"

[ She sounds... well, lightly shocked, before the full scandal sits in. No, it can't be... missing the party because he was... ]

That's what made you miss the party?! Isn't she... like a higher up?!

[ Hooking up with the top brass is so bold, she can't help but almost be impressed at the audacity. Alleged audacity - it's still not totally clear to her how this arrangement came to be. But it's clear to her that something scandalous happened there. ]

[ Howl barks a chuckle at her scandalized reaction. Dionys owns a brothel! She's the most heavily desired woman in the city — possibly this entire world! It doesn't strike him as being all that shocking, whether she's a "higher up" or not. And really, if any of the new Aions were to get to her first, wouldn't it have been the overall most handsome and charming man among them? Who shares her Legacy, no less?? 😏

Of course, these are simply the thoughts that go through Howl's head in the moment after Misa expresses her shock. The reality of what happened is quite different. Howl either does not remember the details anymore, or thinks back on them far more positively than how he felt in the moment. ]

Oh? Is there a problem? You're not jealous, are you? [ he laughs again, more muted and controlled this time. ] You could take it up with the Regent if you're concerned.

I'm not jealous!

[ It's a kneejerk reaction, that phrase. But after another beat: ]

It's just... I was telling Xishen you were hurt and that's why you weren't there! So you wouldn't get in trouble! Little did I know you were having a little escapade. After all I went through to excuse you...

[ She didn't actually go through much of anything, but it's just Misa's play to overexaggerate her own efforts for the sake of guilting others. None of this really adds up, the more she thinks about it. Based on Howl's account, the Regent was already aware of Howl's condition, and most probably, his time spent with Dionys as well? What gives? She tries to find it in her to just be glad that Howl seems well, laughing as usual, but she can't help but feel a bit uneasy over it all— perhaps her own unfamiliarity with Dionys is the root of it. ]

You don't have to excuse me. Not to Xishen. The Regent is the only person we answer to, and I assure you, they knew where I was.

[ The openly flippant response is said with so much confidence, one might rightly assume that Howl was told the same thing by someone else, and is merely parroting it. ]

But... I so very much appreciate your concern for me, Misa, and your many attempts to make sure I attended. [ bringing out the charm. ] I would have loved to spend time with you at the party. Tell me you'll do another?

[ That does ease her nerves, a little bit - despite her continuing uncertainty over the actual heart of the matter. At least she doesn't have to worry about a similar punishment that Emet received...? At his question though, she hums once, considering. ]

Well.... maybe? [ She says, not sounding entirely convinced. ] A lot people didn't seem to want to be there, so I'm not sure how successful it would be, but...

[ Misa trails off. The night hadn't been a total waste, but she'd be lying if she said she hadn't gotten fed up with people giving her attitude over her communion messages or giving off very strong vibes of I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE. ]

Since you missed out, I'll do one more some other time. Okay? But you have to promise to come.

I promise.

[ Howl's mental voice is so smooth and confident that it's clear he really means to keep his word (for once). ]

And... I really meant it when I said you can ask me for help. We could plan it together — Lottie, too. I am a Celebrant!

Oh, really? You'd be a big help, Howl!

[ And just like that, the majority of her worries are wiped away— Howl sounds like himself, and the prospect of working together in the future for something fun excites her enough to distract her from the rest of it. ]

I'm usually hosting stuff, not planning it. But you seem like you know how to throw a good party... it's the whimsical vibe I was talking about!

kenoma ➩ may 11th, late afternoon

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