[ Well, isn't she lovely? A little shy maybe, but timid women tend to charm Howl into feeling protective of them, and he can't say he minds that.
Still smiling, he slips the bracelet off his wrist and holds it out to her between his fingertips, using it as an excuse to take a step closer to her as well. ]
I wasn't serious! [ laughing, he keeps the bracelet held out to her anyway - he's offering for her to take it if she wants it. ] I'd hope it isn't starting to burn. It would change my opinion of you lot as my hosts quickly.
[ Claris has no idea what she just stepped into. He seems nice enough, and as he holds the bracelet out to her, she takes it, giving the piece a better look. His grin is infectious, and she can't help but smile a bit herself. They said that they were enchanted, right? She doesn't feel anything emanated from it, but then everything about this place is strange and different. ]
Host?
[ Taken aback, she waves her free hand in the air, looking a bit flustered. No, he has the wrong idea! ]
I just got here! [ Don't blame her if the enchantment suddenly fizzles! ]
[ Once she takes the bangle, he stands up straight and props his hands on his hips. This is the first he's hearing of anyone else being foreign to this place aside from him, but it makes sense, considering the uniqueness of her clothing. ]
Pardon me. In that case, you're hardly to blame. In fact - [ He raises a runic necklace over his head and offers that to her too. ] You should take some more of these! Fires and drunkards warrant extra caution.
[ First the bangle, now a necklace. She can't say no, but at the same time isn't that a little much? Her expression turning sheepish, Claris hesitates. He's one step away from literally giving her the shirt off his back as well. She appreciates it, but isn't this amount of charity a bit extreme? ]
That's all right, I can take care of myself. Besides, I think it looks better on you.
[ Ohhhh girl, you don't know what you've just done. ]
[ Howl grins but raises his eyebrows with slight disbelief in the same beat. It's not every day he finds himself in a dream world - which this has to be! - looking dressed down, without a single enchantment or potion applied to his face or hair or clothing. And now he's dreaming of girls complementing him while looking so ghastly! What could his id be trying to tell him, he wonders.
I'm flattered to hear you say so, young miss. [ He does not accept the necklace back from her. Instead, he half-bows politely and flashes a reassuring smile. ]
But I must insist. I've got so many already, they're weighing me down. You'll need it if you want to try jumping the fire anyway.
[ Howl studies her and ponders silently. How old could dream-girl be? Mid-teens, at least. Almost too young for him, but either way, not too young for some harmless flirting. ]
[ Howl, there are people with fur and feathers and all manner odd appearances around here, he's decidedly normal even without his glamours. But that's likely the last thing that he wants to hear.
She gives a brief curtsy out of habit, before adding; ]
Claris. Claris Snowflake.
[ Oh, he's insisting. Ah, what does she do? He's put her in a bit of a bind—but assuming that she would be leaping over the fire with everyone else is a stretch. There's a part of her that does think that it would be a lot of fun, but she also knows her own limitations. Singing and dancing on stage doesn't mean she's the most athletic person out there. ]
Oh, I think I'm all right just watching, thank you very much! I'm not sure I would even be able to make it to the other side... [ If she had her libromancy sure, it would be easy, but like this... She's not very confident. ]
There's no need to be afraid. [ Howl sweeps one arm towards the bonfire and beams. ] The wards on the necklace and bracelet protect you from the heat and flames, you see. Even children are safe taking part.
[ He pauses, considering - if she's new here, then she might not know about the details of this custom in the first place. Howl hadn't known either when he first wandered here.
His outstretched arm pulls in, not back to his side, but to attempt to smoothly and gently put his arm around her shoulders. ] I'll teach you how to do it, if you like. And if you're still unsure, we could jump together!
[ He has more than enough bad karma from past relationships to try to get rid of. ]
[ She's being pragmatic! Sensible, even, despite her clear indigence. Just because her eyes are usually in a book and her head in the clouds doesn't mean she can't be grounded. Don't call her out like this, Howl. It isn't her fault that her mind goes to the worst possible scenario here.
Claris's shoulders rise as he moves to put his arm around her, and she looks up at him with a start before her brows furrow. She doesn't pull away, but it takes her a moment before she responds, nodding; ]
But if you're willing to try it with me, then maybe it will be all right.
In that case, I beg your pardon for assuming you were fearful. [ Howl grins and ushers her towards the nearest bonfire, his gentle, pale blue eyes keeping his expression cool and mellow. As it so happens, his fingertips brushed past her hair when he set his hand on her shoulder (truly unintentionally), and as they walk, Howl to marvels to himself at how silky and soft it felt. Honey must be her natural color for her hair to have that texture. ]
Now. According to what I've been told, the purpose of this fire-jumping is to rid yourself of relationships that have gone sour, whether past or present. [ after a pause, he chuckles. ] I assumed romantic relationships, but then the custom would not be of much use for children, so it must also be intended for non-romantic relationships as well.
[ Then he would hate to hear that she does almost nothing with it, content with wearing it in a long, loose braid and headband. Some people have no idea how lucky they truly are.
Claris looks conflicted as he explains the tradition, her mind quickly going to the same place that his originally did. Even as he brushes his previous notion away, her mind stays fixed to that fact for a moment, a sheepish smile pulling at her lips. ]
I should hope it wouldn't be something like that. I'd have no reason to try jumping, then.
[ Then, realizing that might be something strange for someone her age to admit— ]
B-but I suppose that makes sense! I have read stories about things like this, but I never thought I would experience it first-hand.
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no subject
Still smiling, he slips the bracelet off his wrist and holds it out to her between his fingertips, using it as an excuse to take a step closer to her as well. ]
I wasn't serious! [ laughing, he keeps the bracelet held out to her anyway - he's offering for her to take it if she wants it. ] I'd hope it isn't starting to burn. It would change my opinion of you lot as my hosts quickly.
no subject
Host?
[ Taken aback, she waves her free hand in the air, looking a bit flustered. No, he has the wrong idea! ]
I just got here! [ Don't blame her if the enchantment suddenly fizzles! ]
no subject
[ Once she takes the bangle, he stands up straight and props his hands on his hips. This is the first he's hearing of anyone else being foreign to this place aside from him, but it makes sense, considering the uniqueness of her clothing. ]
Pardon me. In that case, you're hardly to blame. In fact - [ He raises a runic necklace over his head and offers that to her too. ] You should take some more of these! Fires and drunkards warrant extra caution.
no subject
That's all right, I can take care of myself. Besides, I think it looks better on you.
[ Ohhhh girl, you don't know what you've just done. ]
oh honey you got a storm comin'
[ Howl grins but raises his eyebrows with slight disbelief in the same beat. It's not every day he finds himself in a dream world - which this has to be! - looking dressed down, without a single enchantment or potion applied to his face or hair or clothing. And now he's dreaming of girls complementing him while looking so ghastly! What could his id be trying to tell him, he wonders.
I'm flattered to hear you say so, young miss. [ He does not accept the necklace back from her. Instead, he half-bows politely and flashes a reassuring smile. ]
But I must insist. I've got so many already, they're weighing me down. You'll need it if you want to try jumping the fire anyway.
[ Howl studies her and ponders silently. How old could dream-girl be? Mid-teens, at least. Almost too young for him, but either way, not too young for some harmless flirting. ]
rip this poor girl
She gives a brief curtsy out of habit, before adding; ]
Claris. Claris Snowflake.
[ Oh, he's insisting. Ah, what does she do? He's put her in a bit of a bind—but assuming that she would be leaping over the fire with everyone else is a stretch. There's a part of her that does think that it would be a lot of fun, but she also knows her own limitations. Singing and dancing on stage doesn't mean she's the most athletic person out there. ]
Oh, I think I'm all right just watching, thank you very much! I'm not sure I would even be able to make it to the other side... [ If she had her libromancy sure, it would be easy, but like this... She's not very confident. ]
no subject
[ He pauses, considering - if she's new here, then she might not know about the details of this custom in the first place. Howl hadn't known either when he first wandered here.
His outstretched arm pulls in, not back to his side, but to attempt to smoothly and gently put his arm around her shoulders. ] I'll teach you how to do it, if you like. And if you're still unsure, we could jump together!
[ He has more than enough bad karma from past relationships to try to get rid of. ]
no subject
[ She's being pragmatic! Sensible, even, despite her clear indigence. Just because her eyes are usually in a book and her head in the clouds doesn't mean she can't be grounded. Don't call her out like this, Howl. It isn't her fault that her mind goes to the worst possible scenario here.
Claris's shoulders rise as he moves to put his arm around her, and she looks up at him with a start before her brows furrow. She doesn't pull away, but it takes her a moment before she responds, nodding; ]
But if you're willing to try it with me, then maybe it will be all right.
[ See? Pragmatic. ]
no subject
Now. According to what I've been told, the purpose of this fire-jumping is to rid yourself of relationships that have gone sour, whether past or present. [ after a pause, he chuckles. ] I assumed romantic relationships, but then the custom would not be of much use for children, so it must also be intended for non-romantic relationships as well.
no subject
Claris looks conflicted as he explains the tradition, her mind quickly going to the same place that his originally did. Even as he brushes his previous notion away, her mind stays fixed to that fact for a moment, a sheepish smile pulling at her lips. ]
I should hope it wouldn't be something like that. I'd have no reason to try jumping, then.
[ Then, realizing that might be something strange for someone her age to admit— ]
B-but I suppose that makes sense! I have read stories about things like this, but I never thought I would experience it first-hand.