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I do. It was wonderful.
[ To mend bridges, any of them, requires items of wood, nails and hands. It seemed the same. ]
Would... would you like to see how we tell stories, in my home? It is not so... mighty in scale, but...
[ An offering of something the same, of home sickness, and the simple love of things that gave comfort. ]
[ To mend bridges, any of them, requires items of wood, nails and hands. It seemed the same. ]
Would... would you like to see how we tell stories, in my home? It is not so... mighty in scale, but...
[ An offering of something the same, of home sickness, and the simple love of things that gave comfort. ]
A cup of tea, mate.
[ Shaking his head a little. A couple what. ]
Sort that first so you're not dwelling on it. And so Gilia doesn't have to keep thinking you're cross with her a moment longer.
[ Shaking his head a little. A couple what. ]
Sort that first so you're not dwelling on it. And so Gilia doesn't have to keep thinking you're cross with her a moment longer.
We’re talking about it.
[ The beauty of having AIM in your mind. ]
She’s blaming herself for what she did while transformed … I’m trying to get her to understand I don’t consider people the same as their monsters. I don’t even really remember what happened fully. But she’s so upset.
[ If he could forgive Ianthe eating him he can forgive what seemed to be mostly consensual getting it on. ]
[ The beauty of having AIM in your mind. ]
She’s blaming herself for what she did while transformed … I’m trying to get her to understand I don’t consider people the same as their monsters. I don’t even really remember what happened fully. But she’s so upset.
[ If he could forgive Ianthe eating him he can forgive what seemed to be mostly consensual getting it on. ]
She's very in touch with her emotions.
[ A tactful way of calling her hysterical, but John finds Gilia's oversized reactions to things a little tedious, just as he always did Mercymorn's. He'll fix them tea, then, while Junpei uses the family computer to resolve his internet drama in Gilia's LJ comments. ]
[ A tactful way of calling her hysterical, but John finds Gilia's oversized reactions to things a little tedious, just as he always did Mercymorn's. He'll fix them tea, then, while Junpei uses the family computer to resolve his internet drama in Gilia's LJ comments. ]
[ After a little while he’ll seem to check back in to the flesh and blood world. When he gets truly absorbed in telepathic communication, really putting his soul into it, he tends to go a little blank. He remembers being the same way when he’d been practicing running through movies in his head, just having to dedicate his full focus inwards. ]
I … think she’s okay now.
[ A big sigh, as if he just got done doing hours of yard work. She didn’t cry, so he did ok right? ]
That’s not something I’m really experienced with.
I … think she’s okay now.
[ A big sigh, as if he just got done doing hours of yard work. She didn’t cry, so he did ok right? ]
That’s not something I’m really experienced with.
Talking to girls?
[ Mostly innocuous, mildly amused. He's finished steeping the tea - black, with his personal blend of spices, the one Quentin's been trying to replicate unsuccessfully for months. Pours it into cups with a wedge of sticky honeycomb. ]
Accepting apologies?
[ Mostly innocuous, mildly amused. He's finished steeping the tea - black, with his personal blend of spices, the one Quentin's been trying to replicate unsuccessfully for months. Pours it into cups with a wedge of sticky honeycomb. ]
Accepting apologies?
[ The night after the visit to the castle Quentin had tried to replicate the tea for Junpei, not that the boy was aware of it. All he saw was a kind gesture during a troubled time from someone who he had no clue would eventually weave himself so intricately into the fabric of his life in this world.
His nose twitches picking up the scent, finding himself more interested in the drink than he thought he’d be. Neglecting to properly nourish himself was a frequent theme since things had gone tits up. ]
Talking down someone who’s upset.
[ Since coming here he’s been on the receiving end of calming down more than once. He feels like he should have picked up a little more. ]
There’s a reason I usually let Quentin handle comforting the patients.
[ He does it so effortlessly. Has used that same magic on him. It really was one of the best choices House had made to assign him as Junpei’s assistant. ]
His nose twitches picking up the scent, finding himself more interested in the drink than he thought he’d be. Neglecting to properly nourish himself was a frequent theme since things had gone tits up. ]
Talking down someone who’s upset.
[ Since coming here he’s been on the receiving end of calming down more than once. He feels like he should have picked up a little more. ]
There’s a reason I usually let Quentin handle comforting the patients.
[ He does it so effortlessly. Has used that same magic on him. It really was one of the best choices House had made to assign him as Junpei’s assistant. ]
That guy has a gift.
[ John agrees. He slides Junpei's tea over, procures some bland but crisp baked oat cookies. Dunks his in his tea. ]
But it's also something you get better at in time. I barely spoke when I was your age, outside of class.
[ John agrees. He slides Junpei's tea over, procures some bland but crisp baked oat cookies. Dunks his in his tea. ]
But it's also something you get better at in time. I barely spoke when I was your age, outside of class.
[ For the moment, Junpei just curls his hands around the cup, soaking in the warmth. The comfort. Closing his eyes and inhaling the steam. ]
I used to be more ... outgoing. Up until high school. I was never super popular, but I had my friends. I was pretty happy. Back when I didn't know how cruel humans could be. I miss that ignorance sometimes.
I used to be more ... outgoing. Up until high school. I was never super popular, but I had my friends. I was pretty happy. Back when I didn't know how cruel humans could be. I miss that ignorance sometimes.
Edited 2023-10-19 13:38 (UTC)
[ It does take her a moment, to conjure the image and quite find the trick as he had, to keep the image whole, in her mind, and then project it to him. Focusing completely to do it (and privately, make sure, that more did not come through, and frighten him).
A great and long feasting splashes out, every inch of it decorated. People of all kinds are crowded around from her current view, which is looking down from slightly raised at the back. Looking onto the middle of the two long tables, where a group of actors are staging their play. But each of them is more fantastical than the last. They are involved in some kind of chase, where the skeletal creature robed in flowers chases the woman through the rows of dancers time their movements to seem like trees whipped about in a storm, lashing ribbons right and left to swirl in the 'wind'. In the woman's hands is a skull that she uses as a light to guide her way, and the old woman laughs when it seems like she actually, legitimately, is floating and flying. Some of it is almost like the town they all lived in now, but other parts of it are far, far older, centuries and centuries before anything like the village had now. Only candles and fireplaces to light the space, the crowd dressed in clearly something more like the beginning of the middle ages than anything current, even if there are some of the same choices in clothing styles and ornaments.
It's a moment, just one, where the scene of the play unfolds, no more than she can hold beyond that. Then like having to give up on holding a deep breathe, she releases it and lets it fade from their connection. ]
They are the Mummers, they stay with us in winter to tell stories to entertain us over the long dark nights.
A great and long feasting splashes out, every inch of it decorated. People of all kinds are crowded around from her current view, which is looking down from slightly raised at the back. Looking onto the middle of the two long tables, where a group of actors are staging their play. But each of them is more fantastical than the last. They are involved in some kind of chase, where the skeletal creature robed in flowers chases the woman through the rows of dancers time their movements to seem like trees whipped about in a storm, lashing ribbons right and left to swirl in the 'wind'. In the woman's hands is a skull that she uses as a light to guide her way, and the old woman laughs when it seems like she actually, legitimately, is floating and flying. Some of it is almost like the town they all lived in now, but other parts of it are far, far older, centuries and centuries before anything like the village had now. Only candles and fireplaces to light the space, the crowd dressed in clearly something more like the beginning of the middle ages than anything current, even if there are some of the same choices in clothing styles and ornaments.
It's a moment, just one, where the scene of the play unfolds, no more than she can hold beyond that. Then like having to give up on holding a deep breathe, she releases it and lets it fade from their connection. ]
They are the Mummers, they stay with us in winter to tell stories to entertain us over the long dark nights.
[ He absorbs it all in rapt attention, awed by the intricacy of the costumes and the scene overall. He knows from personal experience how much focus and energy it takes to relay moving images over telepathy, and he's as impressed by how long she can hold onto it as equally as he is with the Mummers themselves. ]
That was beautiful. I ... really appreciate you sharing it with me. I felt like I was there.
That was beautiful. I ... really appreciate you sharing it with me. I felt like I was there.
[ It's so nice, to share something. ]
I am glad, I felt the same when you showed me that beautiful ship. My people are sailors, we are bound to the Sea, and it felt wonderous to see another world's ocean. Especially here, where there is no sea to bring me solace.
I am glad, I felt the same when you showed me that beautiful ship. My people are sailors, we are bound to the Sea, and it felt wonderous to see another world's ocean. Especially here, where there is no sea to bring me solace.
I imagine the last few months haven't been great for you on that front.
[ Quiet, John willing to listen if he wants to talk about it. ]
[ Quiet, John willing to listen if he wants to talk about it. ]
Actually …
[ Fingers tap an unsteady rhythm on the sides of the cup, eyes looking into the tea but not really at the tea. Watching the ripples the beat forms on the surface of the liquid. ]
I felt some of the old me coming back. In little ways. But the problem is that means that me can be hurt again. Can have it all taken away in a moment. I was a fool to think I could become indifferent. Though I still think I’d be better off if I could be.
[ Eyes flick up to John. ]
But if he can’t even do it, what chance do I have?
[ Fingers tap an unsteady rhythm on the sides of the cup, eyes looking into the tea but not really at the tea. Watching the ripples the beat forms on the surface of the liquid. ]
I felt some of the old me coming back. In little ways. But the problem is that means that me can be hurt again. Can have it all taken away in a moment. I was a fool to think I could become indifferent. Though I still think I’d be better off if I could be.
[ Eyes flick up to John. ]
But if he can’t even do it, what chance do I have?
[ Meeting that gaze with his own endless one. ]
House?
House?
Yeah. You can't beat it by closing off. That's too lonely, we're not built for that. Instead you have to get really, really good at losing people.
[ John dunks his biscuit again, thinking of Harrow and Gideon, wherever they are now. ]
Even the best people in the world have good odds of dying before you do.
[ Really really good odds if you're immortal. ]
But if you live in the anticipation of that pain, you miss out on all the good bits.
[ John dunks his biscuit again, thinking of Harrow and Gideon, wherever they are now. ]
Even the best people in the world have good odds of dying before you do.
[ Really really good odds if you're immortal. ]
But if you live in the anticipation of that pain, you miss out on all the good bits.
[ Finally he actually brings the cup up to his lips for a delicate sip of the tea. Careful, savoring the heat and the flavor on his tongue. A small sound of enjoyment slips out as he brings it back down to rest on the table. ]
Easier said than done.
But you said when we first met that you've lived ... thousands of years? I guess you'd know.
[ Tap. Tap. Tap. ]
Did you ever try not to make connections? To keep the pain away?
Easier said than done.
But you said when we first met that you've lived ... thousands of years? I guess you'd know.
[ Tap. Tap. Tap. ]
Did you ever try not to make connections? To keep the pain away?
Yeah, I mean. I went in the other direction, I took all my favourite people and made them immortal like I was. Or I thought I did. They still all died, some of them cursing my name.
[ He doesn't sound cut up about it. He doesn't sound anything, beyond maybe just a little bitter, a vestige of eroded grief. ]
Worth it to get the chance to build an empire together. Just like House is worth it, even though there's only so long I can extend the lifespan of his drug-fucked mortal liver.
[ He doesn't sound cut up about it. He doesn't sound anything, beyond maybe just a little bitter, a vestige of eroded grief. ]
Worth it to get the chance to build an empire together. Just like House is worth it, even though there's only so long I can extend the lifespan of his drug-fucked mortal liver.
[ Junpei’s perspective on House is one more removed. His method of protection from those deep feelings currently was the one-sided nature of them. It was safe, in a way, there was safety in not being loved back. It hurt, but he told himself it could hurt more. He couldn’t stop himself from wanting his attention, or the desire to please him, but maybe someday the crush would fade and because House didn’t love him back, he could just go. ]
I definitely wouldn’t want immortality. Yet death is also terrifying. There’s no winning, really.
I don’t think anyone can truly win. We’ll always want something, and we can’t get everything.
I definitely wouldn’t want immortality. Yet death is also terrifying. There’s no winning, really.
I don’t think anyone can truly win. We’ll always want something, and we can’t get everything.
Hey, but if you try sometimes, you just might find... you get what you need.
[ Yuk. John looks pleased with himself, though. ]
[ Yuk. John looks pleased with himself, though. ]
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