communion (ota)

[cyfaredd]

[ Howl's Communion opens in mid-afternoon, entering your brain like a blast of cold air scented with several heavily-applied perfumes. The sensation is so strong that you may actually smell it for real, like an olfactory hallucination, dominated by the scent of hyacinths but tinged with something smoky and earthy, reminiscent of a wood-burning fireplace.

The presence of the person himself is just as loud as the smell. He hasn't opened a connection with everyone so much as he's thrown the door open and allowed his own self-manufactured radiance to command everyone's attention. The mental voice that follows is youthful, confident and flows with a strong Welsh accent. ]

Good afternoon. My name is Howl. Wizard Howl.

I already know what some of you are thinking when you hear that, and no — whoever it was that was once in this world with the same name, I am not him returned. And I don't know anything about that man either, so please, don't hold anything he did against me.

Anyway, now that it's been a few weeks, I've an important matter that I wish to raise with you all. That being: how many of you actually believe what we've been told about how we got here and what we're meant to do with ourselves?

[ The question is punctuated by the impression of Howl leaning back in a plush armchair, crossing his legs and folding his hands together in his lap. ]

If you ask me, we're quite obviously being lied to. None of it adds up, and half of the "proof" is in the form of dreams, which are easily manipulated by someone with the right knowledge, skill and power. I could do it myself if I wanted.

But I already know what I think. I want to know how the rest of you are taking it.

[ He throws up one hand in a shrug. ]

And for the more indoctrinated among you... well, if there's something I'm missing, please! Inform me. I'm all ears.

Comments

[cyfaredd]

Popular wizards tend to have people knocking on their doors asking for important favors, too.

[ No, thank you! What a bother! Also he has no idea what "trolling" is, ]

You've got to know what you're worth! And I'm worth a proper explanation.

[escardos]

I think popular wizards would have friends, but I guess that would happen too.

[ howl, do you have friends? ]

But I guess someone should write some sort of guide to this. You know, like they do in video games. They could call it the "Zenith-Meridian War Official Strategy Guide" or something like that.

[cyfaredd]

A person in need of a favor is quick to call themselves a friend.

[ but, Oof. The mention of video games reminds Howl of his nephew. He feels faintly sad in that moment, and then it's gone. ]

If the rest of our dear comrades' answers are any indication, then some of the information I'm asking for is not to be shared with everyone. [ LOOKING AT YOU, SET. ] So it might be more akin to a... Zenith-Meridian War Unofficial Bulletin Board Service.

[ the only internet Howl knows is 1980's internet. ]

[escardos]

But what comes first, the friendship or the favor?

[ HOWL DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS?

but the reference lands perfectly on flat, who’s interest in everything and anything has led him to know a random assortment of useless information. he seems pleased with this, as evidenced by the levity which his thoughts come across with. ]

I like that! It’d be like doing a co-op and it could help both sides.

[ flat does not believe in gatekeeping information. or, well, gatekeeping information that would impact a bunch of people. however… ]

I’m not really sure where we could start, since I just got here too… oh! Maybe we could ask around— although with your popularity level…

[ howl has made An Impression, it seems. ]

[cyfaredd]

[ ...The fire demon bound to him by contract until either of them die or drive the other one mad counts as a friend, right? Their relationship definitely qualifies as "co-op" at the very least, but sorry, Flat, that's a gaming term a few decades past Howl's time. The rest of it helps him understand well enough, thankfully. ]

My popularity level? [ he laughs. ] Most people here are too eager to roll out the red carpet for me the second they see my Shard. Everyone has been quite kind, in fact... Those people who're meant to be my comrades are proving more likely to be exceptions to that.

[escardos]

Is that so…?

[ well, he doesn’t really seem to convinced of that, but it’s not his place to hurt howl’s feelings! ]

Hmm… so if I’m not your friend, I can ask your for a favor? And if I’m your friend, I can’t? This seems complicated…

[cyfaredd]

If you're not my friend, then you'd be asking for my services, not a favor.

[ And if he was a friend, well... Howl doesn't really do favors unless it suits him. And if he does a bad job, those friends will learn not to ask him again! It's actually pretty easy to get out of doing anything if you have no scruples. ]

[escardos]

So in other words, since we're friends, it'd be a favor.

[ that's right, howl. you've been pronounced 'friend' without your consent. ]

[cyfaredd]

[ .......flat please ]

Ah. Hah. So my own adage is coming true. [ people in need of a favor being quick to call themselves friends... ]

You ought to tell a new friend your name before asking a favor, you know.

[escardos]

Ah, how could I forget that important part! Some would even say that it's the most important part! A friendship without introductions isn't one at all! My most sincere apologies!

[ somehow, this exaggerated apology seems genuine, but he also doesn't seem to feel too bad about it either. ]

You can call me Flat Escardos! It's nice to meet you!

[cyfaredd]

Flat Escardos?

[ What an incredibly weird name, but thanks to the fact that Howl is already a seasoned world-hopper, he knows that sort of thing just comes with the territory. ]

Well, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Flat. You're certainly very... friendly. Now, were you actually asking for a favor?

[escardos]

A favor?

[ oh. oh right! ]

Nope! Unless being my friend is a favor, in which case, yes I am! But only if you want.

[ there's no point in forcing someone to be his friend. that's just not fun. ]