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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Jan 30, 2011 22:57:04 GMT -5
As Vanja spoke about the general makeup of his home village, and Howard considered it, his eyes slowly grew wider. Clearly, the man was from a deeply religious society. His own mother had been a religious woman, but it hadn't played much of a role in Howard's own upbringing - the places of worship in the Mid-Range had never exactly been the friendliest towards him. In such a small town, the growing boy had often felt like an outsider - but those from the Calloo actually went out of their way to usher people into their homes?
It made Howard's head spin with possibility. "That... That sounds lovely.[/b]" He said in a quiet voice, then shook himself. "The idea that someone from another Realm could be welcomed in, that is. I'm used to running into the mentality that if you come from outside, that's how things will always be for you. And that's... incredible! I felt pretty good at being able to read the two languages I grew up with.[/b]" He grinned crookedly, obviously quite impressed.
That made perfect sense. "If it would help you out, I could see about getting you some information... To bring back? I mean, I don't know very much, but in theory this little journey of mine will answer a number of questions, by the time it's over.[/b]" Enthusiastically, the man sat up, eyes widening with the thrill of a new idea. "Oh! I could even potentially set up a meeting with my grandmother for you, if you were interested? Haha, excuse me, I think I'm getting a bit ahead of myself...[/b]"
A slight blush crossed his cheeks with that, and the man's next statement only made that blush darken. What -- why would he mention that?! The part of him that had twisted eagerly when he'd been selected from the crowd as the best person to sit next to rose again, feeling delighted. I knew it! "I -- ah -- ....thank you. I wonder... why that would be?[/b]" Howard squirmed inwardly, delight pulsing through his veins. A thought suddenly popped into his mind, and before he could consider it more carefully, it had poured out of his mouth.
"...Vanja, would you care to join me for a meal? I'm quite enjoying this conversation, and I had no other plans for the night.[/b]" He beamed at the Rat. "Your company would be the highest honor I could ask of you.[/b]"
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Post by The Jenn on Jan 31, 2011 0:02:08 GMT -5
Howard was listening. By the light, the man was listening to him and paying attention to his words. Taking them in. Agreeing with them. Offering to help. Vanjja might have been more wary if he wasn't so delighted. The heat took a back seat to his slowly building curiosity and excitement.
This "Raemblen" could possibly be his first convert, couldn't he? The man certainly seemed receptive to his words. He wished he hadn't used his spiritual decection ability earlier that week.
"It is very important to us that everyone who might hear the truth of the gods is given the opportunity," the rat told him with a shrug that showed he viewed his words as simply The Way Things Were. "That is one reason we send out missionaries, and one of the more important ones. Being able to understand texts written in their languages will hopefully give me an insight into their culture so that I can help them see the part Odom plays in their lives. I think I should be very interested to meet your grandmother, if the opportunity ever arises."
Such pale fur showed a flush quite readily, didn't it? Vanja sympathized with the man and attributed it to the climate difference between the mountainous Mid-Range and the warmth of the Capital in the bright afternoon sun. He remained in a somewhat perpetually reddened state beneath his fur while moving about during the day. Being an albino would only make that more of a complication.
He began shuffling his thoughts into a coherent explanation of the gods' favor towards the pale spectrum when he was suddenly startled by an invitation for food. A wary prickle made its way down his spine and he regarded the man with a sudden intensity. Was he in some way trying to lure the rat into something? But the invitation seemed genuine at first glance. And from all he'd read, the Mid-Range produced a very polite and gracious breed of heathen.
Mmm. Very well. He would cautiously see where this went. "This conversation does seem to have potential. I would be interested in continuing it, and the weather out here isn't exactly the sort that I would normally sit out and enjoy. However, would you please take just a moment and clarify what you mean by 'company'? I have unfortunately been mislead by that seemingly simple term once already during my stay here and I would not wish to give you the wrong impression."
The Cards in the city were so much more casual about... well, everything.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Mar 3, 2011 22:51:07 GMT -5
The possibilities, as Vanja presented them, seemed almost endless. The concept of religion had always appealed to him, from his earliest days, but he'd never really been properly exposed to it. Whatever the Mid-Rangers wanted of their converts, Howard was not it. But this man spoke of unity and acceptance, terms which to Howard's mind were highly appealing.
Especially acceptance. His tail wound tightly around his foot, a movement born out of a combination of excitement and general nervousness.
He couldn't mess this one up. He wouldn't. After he had found his father (and through the man, his grandmother), he would track down the Calloo again. If he could make himself useful to a priest... The possibilities seemed nearly endless. But only if he didn't mess this up now, like he always seemed to. He turned his body slightly towards the other Rat, waiting eagerly for a response to his offer of dinner.
What came made him pause.
What did he mean by company? When he'd made the offer, all he'd been thinking of was how much easier it would be to talk across a table, rather than side-by-side on a bench. But now that the question had been planted into his head, it made him think. Why would Vanja assume he meant anything else -- oh, goodness. He stared blankly at the other man, then blinked, then blushed deeply. "Oh, my! No, no, I meant only that I thought it was getting close to dinnertime, and that it was awfully hot out here and that you might be more comfortable if we moved indoors.[/b]" He ducked his head, clearly embarrassed.
Suits! He was already off to a terrible start!
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Post by The Jenn on Mar 14, 2011 23:31:35 GMT -5
If Howard remained as genuine in his embarrassment as he had seemed to be in their brief conversation thus far, then Vanja had very little to worry about with regards to propriety. Good. He didn't fancy extricating himself from another suddenly and unexpectedly awkward situation again so soon.
"Ah, yes... and that does of course make sense. I apologize for bringing you discomfort. I merely had to clarify. A meal would be welcome, and a cessation of direct sunlight even more so. I am uncertain of where to eat in this city, however. 'Restaurants' are not a common thing in my home realm."
Quite pleased by this chance encounter, he would follow Howard to whichever eating establishment he selected. Hopefully it would not prove to be excessively pricey, as he lived a very modest lifestyle in the Capital. His mission was to help and convert others, not to luxuriate in the simple pleasures available in the city. And besides, he ate very little. Wherever they went, he would order small and merely pick at his food. The rest could return with him to his lodgings for later meals.
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Post by carcinoGeneticist on Apr 18, 2011 3:08:31 GMT -5
In his own short wanderings in the Capital, Howard had in fact explored what it had to offer with regards to food. He had chosen a few favorites, and put a few on a list of places he would like to someday visit, when time and budget allowed for it.
Today, he decided, he would take his newfound friend to a small place that he'd eaten breakfast at once before and found to be quite to his liking. It seemed like exactly the sort of place that would be conducive to their conversation - small, out of the way, and quiet inside. It also had a homey feel that made Howard squirm with delight, and the waitress who had served him before had given him the sweetest smile...
Vanja's own enthusiasm for his meal was mirrored by Howard, though for entirely different reasons. He had eaten a hearty breakfast that day, and his stomach's needs were very little when compared to those of his attention-starved mind. He wanted to talk, and learn, and it was hard to do either of those things when he was chewing. So the food went picked at, saved for later in the evening when hunger grasped him again. Undoubtedly, he would be happy for the snack when that time came - it was delicious food, and would make wonderful leftovers.
So they spoke.
Time passed freely throughout the course of their conversation, primarily Howard asking about Vanja's home and giving bits and pieces of his own mission - a mission to find a beloved father, unknown to his son and spoken fondly of by his mother. His trail lead him directly to the Court of Hearts, which was where he would be heading by the end of the week. By the time their evening had come to an end, the Boggie had developed a sort of fondness for the Rat, somewhere in his heart. They would have to meet again, after Howard had returned.
They would meet again. A few parting words, an address to get in contact again down the line, and Howard was on his way back to his hotel, leftovers in hand and a smile on his face. Perhaps the Capital wasn't so bad...
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