[ He frowns as he watches Jean sit beside him, but he keeps his eyes on him afterwards, studying him curiously. Howl doesn't remember seeing him during the celebration today, but he was sozzled for most of it, and trying to pick up women on top of it. Howl can't say he really minds the conversation. ]
My name is Howl. Are you a local, or did you emerge from some poor mum's bathroom mirror earlier today?
[ Nah, you lookin pretty rough bro. With their drunk solidarity he decides to stick around, but he's also ready to jump in case there's any vomit coming his way. ]
A bathtub, actually. I'm just glad no one was using it at the time. [ 'Howl' is a rather strange name, but if there's anything strange about the person he's talking to, it's the outfit he's wearing. He looks like a very eccentric nobleman. ]
So you're the same as me ... With your flashy outfit, I thought you were one of the nobles here.
[ Howl huffs a laugh at the prospect. Not just because he isn't a nobleman, but at the thought of any noble from Ingary being as well-dressed as he is. Or even half as honest. ]
Perish the thought. [ It seems Mr. Kirstein really does intend to talk with him for a while, so Howl sits up taller and tries to collect himself. He rakes the fingers of one hand through his black, outgrown hair, smoothing it down. ]
Although... admittedly, with this land being so different from mine, I suppose the upperclasses here may not be as troublesome as I'm assuming. The beasts and other folk were welcoming today.
[ Contrary to his serious and sullen attitude, Jean actually is quite talkative. Sorry Howl. He doesn't feel ready to walk home yet and he has nothing but time to kill, so he's perfectly content hanging out with an interesting stranger. ]
It's not bad here. At least, compared to what I know. [ Jean can finally take a breather from always having to go into some kind of battle, whether it's against man-eating giants or people with guns. ]
You sound like you've got a bone to pick with those noblemen back home.
[ Howl pauses in response to Jean's observation, quickly turns his back to him, and vomits on the sidewalk again. He's free to speculate on whether the timing was coincidental.
Howl stays double-over after the moment passes, gasping softly as he collects himself. With one hand gripping the steps behind him to keep him balanced, he wipes his mouth on the handkerchief with the other.
Oh, he hates this. Howl truly cannot remember the last time he couldn't use a spell to whisk away the unlikable effects of alcohol. He could cast such spells before he even tasted alcohol for the first time. ]
Ughh... [ Groaning, he leans against the stoop's railing and cradles his forehead. ] Right now, I'd... I'd kiss their boots for a scrap of my power back. Or just a bed for the night... Or a measly glass of water. How aren't you sick?
[ It looks like Howl's having it pretty rough. Out of concern, Jean does start looking around for something for him to drink. There's got to be a stall somewhere, or a pitcher of water left behind by someone else. ]
That's because unlike some people, I have self-control. [ You left yourself open for criticism there, Howl, and naturally, Jean is going to take it. This really is how he has his fun. Spotting a leftover pitcher on a table nearby, Jean pushes himself to a stand to make his way toward it. It's a slow affair, the ground under him still spinning, and he does need a few seconds to orientate his feet. Finally, when he's ready, he makes the careful stroll over to it, returning with that pitcher held gingerly in both hands. Of course, he's not going to tell Howl any of his intentions. It's embarrassing to come off looking too ... nice. ]
[ Jean might be trying not to come across as too nice, but Howl is way too self-centered not to immediately assume that he found that pitcher of water just for him. Peeking up at him with one eye from behind his hand, he looks at the water for a moment, and then reaches out with both hands, ready to accept it from him. ]
Of course not. If I weren't feeling so awful I'd still be expecting to wake up any second now. [ He peers at Jean for a beat. ] Do you have somewhere to stay? After just a day?
[ It's only after making his way over that Jean realises he had forgotten to take a cup also. That's the sign he really is tipsy, to bring a pitcher without a cup. He normally isn't very careless.
Oh well. He doesn't want to make another trip, so he's deciding to commit to his actions and leave Howl to deal with ... drinking directly out of a full pitcher of water. Jean places it into Howl's hands. ]
I met a girl I know here. I'm staying with her. [ At least for now? Until he figures things out. If he does move out, he doesn't intend to move very far away, because he wants to be there for Mikasa. There's a pause after that, as if he's thinking it over, before Jean finally relents and lets out a tired sigh. ]
If you really need to, you can stay the night with us. I doubt she's gonna mind.
[ Howl drinks right out of the pitcher. He brings it up to his lips, tips it back, and chugs for a few long seconds. Some water gushes from the side edges of the pitcher, onto his cheeks and down the front of his chest. It isn't cold, or fresh, or pleasant-tasting, but the way it soothes it throat, it might as well be chilled champagne.
As drunk and miserable as he still is, when he looks up at Jean again, he's managing a smile for the first time. ]
Oh, grand! Fantastic! You're a lifesaver, Jean!
[ He'll ask for his lady friend's name later. After another long draw from the pitcher, he sets it aside on the steps and holds out a hand, asking Jean to help him up. ]
Let's go, then. We can make it back together with the two of us.
[ Don't smile at him, Howl. It's more embarrassing when the other person starts beaming at him in gratefulness. Then again, he would also be peeved if the other person weren't grateful at all. There's an exasperated huff, and Jean glances away with a frown. ]
Don't look so happy. You're still going to have to find your own place eventually. [ Following up with some stern words, because he has to redirect that embarrassment into something else and being harsh is just his usual response. Still, he grabs hold of that hand, pulling Howl to his feet. With all the physical work and training he's done over the years, Jean's built up some decent strength. He expects to have to support Howl given how wasted he still looks, so he starts to sling the other man's arm around his own neck. If that's not received well, he'll be happy to leave the man to his own devices too. ]
Tell me if you feel like puking. [ He will yeet right out, sorry. ]
[ Howl isn't worried about his situation in the long term. Finding someplace to go is easy - painfully so, if Aefenglom is anything like Ingary. Finding someplace he'll like is another matter, but that isn't an issue to be worried about right now.]
You can count on me there. I won't betray my kind host in such an unslightly - unsightly way.
[ Despite being in good health and on the taller end of average height, Howl is lighter than Jean may be expecting. Beneath his billowy, voluminous coat is a light build and slim figure. He doesn't seem to mind Jean's assistance with walking, giving him a friendly pat on his opposite shoulder once his weight is comfortably balanced. ]
How far is it? And how'd you come into a residence in just a day, anyway?
[ Howl is pretty light, so it's not that much of a burden. He must be skinny under that flashy-looking coat. The other man's got more energy than Jean has dealt with in a while (given how grim things are back home), and it's something he's finding both pleasant and vexing. ]
I told you, I'm staying with my friend. Pay attention, you drunk peacock.
[ 'Peacock' because Howl's coat is so colourful and flashy. Don't question his insult game, he tries really hard. ]
It's about a half hour walk. Hopefully, we'll make it. [ Best case scenario, all the exercise and fresh air sobers them up. Worst case scenario, they end up sleeping on the street. ]
[ Howl waves his free hand in the air dismissively, choosing not to acknowledge either the insult or his lapse in memory. ]
How did your friend come into a residence in just a day, then? Does he not hail from a bathtub like the rest of us? [ He continues on for a few steps, as if thinking. ] ...Wait, is this friend of yours the lady you mentioned or someone else?
[ Wow Howl, at least get annoyed at his insult. It's common courtesy. ]
The same friend. Her name is Mikasa. [ He's hoping Howl doesn't make any assumptions about their relationship. Jean continues moving toward their destination, supporting Howl with a hand against his side. ]
She's been here for 4 months, actually. According to her, some of the empty houses are free to claim.
[ Howl says the name aloud, as if doing so would divine more information about her. Young, old? Beautiful, plain? Fiery, meek? Maybe he's getting ahead of himself, sure, but there's no harm in pondering the possibilities while he walks. It might even be a small comfort as it begins to occur to him on some subconscious level that this is not be a dream.]
Four months! She should be able to give us a proper briefing, then. [ Howl gesticulates with his other hand as he talks.] There's no such thing as a free lunch, much less a free home, but I'll bet it's enough to work with... yes, for long enough, at least...
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[ He frowns as he watches Jean sit beside him, but he keeps his eyes on him afterwards, studying him curiously. Howl doesn't remember seeing him during the celebration today, but he was sozzled for most of it, and trying to pick up women on top of it. Howl can't say he really minds the conversation. ]
My name is Howl. Are you a local, or did you emerge from some poor mum's bathroom mirror earlier today?
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A bathtub, actually. I'm just glad no one was using it at the time. [ 'Howl' is a rather strange name, but if there's anything strange about the person he's talking to, it's the outfit he's wearing. He looks like a very eccentric nobleman. ]
So you're the same as me ... With your flashy outfit, I thought you were one of the nobles here.
no subject
Perish the thought. [ It seems Mr. Kirstein really does intend to talk with him for a while, so Howl sits up taller and tries to collect himself. He rakes the fingers of one hand through his black, outgrown hair, smoothing it down. ]
Although... admittedly, with this land being so different from mine, I suppose the upperclasses here may not be as troublesome as I'm assuming. The beasts and other folk were welcoming today.
no subject
It's not bad here. At least, compared to what I know. [ Jean can finally take a breather from always having to go into some kind of battle, whether it's against man-eating giants or people with guns. ]
You sound like you've got a bone to pick with those noblemen back home.
no subject
Howl stays double-over after the moment passes, gasping softly as he collects himself. With one hand gripping the steps behind him to keep him balanced, he wipes his mouth on the handkerchief with the other.
Oh, he hates this. Howl truly cannot remember the last time he couldn't use a spell to whisk away the unlikable effects of alcohol. He could cast such spells before he even tasted alcohol for the first time. ]
Ughh... [ Groaning, he leans against the stoop's railing and cradles his forehead. ] Right now, I'd... I'd kiss their boots for a scrap of my power back. Or just a bed for the night... Or a measly glass of water. How aren't you sick?
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That's because unlike some people, I have self-control. [ You left yourself open
for criticism there, Howl, and naturally, Jean is going to take it. This really is how he has his fun. Spotting a leftover pitcher on a table nearby, Jean pushes himself to a stand to make his way toward it. It's a slow affair, the ground under him still spinning, and he does need a few seconds to orientate his feet. Finally, when he's ready, he makes the careful stroll over to it, returning with that pitcher held gingerly in both hands. Of course, he's not going to tell Howl any of his intentions. It's embarrassing to come off looking too ... nice. ]
You really don't have anywhere to stay tonight?
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Of course not. If I weren't feeling so awful I'd still be expecting to wake up any second now. [ He peers at Jean for a beat. ] Do you have somewhere to stay? After just a day?
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Oh well. He doesn't want to make another trip, so he's deciding to commit to his actions and leave Howl to deal with ... drinking directly out of a full pitcher of water. Jean places it into Howl's hands. ]
I met a girl I know here. I'm staying with her. [ At least for now? Until he figures things out. If he does move out, he doesn't intend to move very far away, because he wants to be there for Mikasa. There's a pause after that, as if he's thinking it over, before Jean finally relents and lets out a tired sigh. ]
If you really need to, you can stay the night with us. I doubt she's gonna mind.
no subject
As drunk and miserable as he still is, when he looks up at Jean again, he's managing a smile for the first time. ]
Oh, grand! Fantastic! You're a lifesaver, Jean!
[ He'll ask for his lady friend's name later. After another long draw from the pitcher, he sets it aside on the steps and holds out a hand, asking Jean to help him up. ]
Let's go, then. We can make it back together with the two of us.
no subject
Don't look so happy. You're still going to have to find your own place eventually. [ Following up with some stern words, because he has to redirect that embarrassment into something else and being harsh is just his usual response. Still, he grabs hold of that hand, pulling Howl to his feet. With all the physical work and training he's done over the years, Jean's built up some decent strength. He expects to have to support Howl given how wasted he still looks, so he starts to sling the other man's arm around his own neck. If that's not received well, he'll be happy to leave the man to his own devices too. ]
Tell me if you feel like puking. [ He will yeet right out, sorry. ]
no subject
You can count on me there. I won't betray my kind host in such an unslightly - unsightly way.
[ Despite being in good health and on the taller end of average height, Howl is lighter than Jean may be expecting. Beneath his billowy, voluminous coat is a light build and slim figure. He doesn't seem to mind Jean's assistance with walking, giving him a friendly pat on his opposite shoulder once his weight is comfortably balanced. ]
How far is it? And how'd you come into a residence in just a day, anyway?
no subject
I told you, I'm staying with my friend. Pay attention, you drunk peacock.
[ 'Peacock' because Howl's coat is so colourful and flashy. Don't question his insult game, he tries really hard. ]
It's about a half hour walk. Hopefully, we'll make it. [ Best case scenario, all the exercise and fresh air sobers them up. Worst case scenario, they end up sleeping on the street. ]
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How did your friend come into a residence in just a day, then? Does he not hail from a bathtub like the rest of us? [ He continues on for a few steps, as if thinking. ] ...Wait, is this friend of yours the lady you mentioned or someone else?
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The same friend. Her name is Mikasa. [ He's hoping Howl doesn't make any assumptions about their relationship. Jean continues moving toward their destination, supporting Howl with a hand against his side. ]
She's been here for 4 months, actually. According to her, some of the empty houses are free to claim.
no subject
[ Howl says the name aloud, as if doing so would divine more information about her. Young, old? Beautiful, plain? Fiery, meek? Maybe he's getting ahead of himself, sure, but there's no harm in pondering the possibilities while he walks. It might even be a small comfort as it begins to occur to him on some subconscious level that this is not be a dream.]
Four months! She should be able to give us a proper briefing, then. [ Howl gesticulates with his other hand as he talks.] There's no such thing as a free lunch, much less a free home, but I'll bet it's enough to work with... yes, for long enough, at least...