[ he isn't sure what "LMAO" means (it sounds like some youthful gibberish myr would use, or his children), but so decides, reflecting on that, that it may not be worth asking. ]
I have a slight anomaly regarding my appearance, one where I must continually use glamours to conceal it. Here, it has me look somewhat Cwyld-infected; as you may imagine, this tends to draw .. unwelcome attention.
(gobbling down his meal at breakneck speed now. he can't let viren go on like that, it sounds painful and exhausting. it'll still take him some time to get over there, but leaving sooner means arriving sooner. which may be inconvenient, but no more than looking cwyld-infected.)
I think I'm outside your place? Like half a block away. I'm so bad at directions.
(squinting at the address... squinting at the house...
[ having kept nearer to the entrance once he'd received the latest text, viren hears the knock; it's a few seconds later that jonas may register the noises of locks being unlatched. viren appears once he pulls the door open a few inches, and he honestly ain't lookin' too hot*; his scales and all other dragonic features have changed in coloration, as well, becoming purples, dark grays and black. while his reptilian eyes are now completely dark, and thus it's difficult to discern his pupils (but for a low tint of purple within their depths), they may have widened just slightly at noting his guest.
there's a slight twitch of his mouth that might have been an attempt at a smile, but nothing in full. ]
Hello, Jonas.
[ viren steps aside, holding the door completely ajar. he gestures, ]
(in his defence, jonas has a smile on his face when the door begins to creak open. he's prepared to be casual, yet professional. but when it's drawn open enough to get an eyeful of the man beyond, all bets—and all grins—are off.)
Oh, god.
...
(there's an immediate scramble to patch that comment that's blurted from him in quick reaction, losing some height as he slouches and collects his hair in a rough ruffle. way to go, jonas, the guy's self-esteem's probably tanked and you're out here– still out here standing on his front step when an invite's been issued. he almost trips over all of his nervous energy in a rush to cross the threshold, slipping inside with a strange half-bow.)
Uh, sorry. I-I can see what you mean about the– (ahhhhh–) let's see what we can do, right? Haha.
[ the smile does momentarily broaden at the commentary — he's terribly accustomed to less-than-cozy reactions to his appearance. and while this may be ... general discomfort, less abject fear, it's still been some time since he's garnered that type of response. (not something he can relish, of course, or else he wouldn't bother with his charm.)
but jonas' willingness to still assist? ]
Wonderful.
[ viren shuts and locks the door behind him (dun dun dunnnn). ]
[ it's only a short trek from the foyer to the living area — viren will indicate the couch, should jonas wish to sit. and because it's polite, he figures, ]
Anything I can get for you? Water, tea, coffee...? [ later in the day it may be, but he may fetch some of the lattermost for himself. ]
(following viren's direction—after side-eyeing the locked door with some trepidation in his next steps—jonas takes up residence on the couch. he looks a bit stiff, but, after hugging a throw pillow close beneath the arm, seems more amenable to answer.)
Coffee, or... honestly, something stronger if you have it. (because wow, they might need to get some drinks on the go here.) I take coffee black, though. My friends are getting pretty nocturnal, so I've been trying to stay up later to keep them company.
[ with a nod, viren moves to the kitchen; thankfully, from where he is, he can prepare coffee (hot brown morning potion, really — jonas will have a particularly caffeinated blend) and still converse while he does.
he does wonder, idly, if the over man should find himself in the company of vampires with a remark like that, but— ]
It was a more gradual onset, well before I had arrived here. [ to be clear. ] I wouldn't be able to tell you the exact date, but... perhaps, for several years now. Being a mage of my world, it was something I had always handled myself.
[ it's something he speaks of neutrally. he does remember, when it first become... burdensome enough, or that he realized it was only to steadily grow worse, that he felt the need to begin research into his spell. he pauses as he fusses with a few items in the kitchen. ]
I can receive glamours at the Coven, for a price. One of the issues being, however, is... the inconvenience involved; illusions themselves can be inconsistent, and with this City also being how it is, getting their attention can sometimes be difficult.
[ alas, coven witches sometimes have more pressing duties to attend to than some mirrorbound's magical makeup. he can't find fault with that one. ]
Is it some kind of... disease, or something? Or, you mean it's specific to mages in your world?
(admires viren's home while he's seeing to their coffees, glancing from the spot beside him on the couch to the colour of the walls and drapes. it has a lot of character, feels warm and smells pleasant. like self-care products, maybe something perfumed. it reminds him of his father, in a strange way, which causes him to sink more comfortably into the cushions.
there's still nothing quite like irish springs, cheap and nostalgic. he wishes aefenglom had something like that.)
Jesus, I know people harsh others for like... caring too much about their appearance, but it's an important thing to maintain. Doesn't matter where you live, what's reflected outwardly's the first thing people care about. (kind of bullshit, but that's just the way society is.) Especially when you're in a position of power, right?
Like, you're their Lord. (subjects who see taint like that aren't going to give their trust as easily.)
Specific to human mages, yes. [ well -- more generally speaking. elves have much less incentive to use dark magic, after all, sinful as they view the practice as they kept their own to their heart; he does suppose, if they were to partake, that they could exhibit similar changes. ] Humans... do not have their own magic, so we must rely on the environment for it; that use of this magic has its side-effects.
[ he's not particularly keen to dwell on it (it does tend to reflect negatively on dark magic, woe!), perhaps evident with how his tone becomes clipped towards the end of that statement. but viren emerges from the kitchen, holding a neat tray with two beverages, a small pitcher of cream and container of sugar cubes. he sets it on the table, sliding jonas' coffee over his way (something black, strong), and immediately sipping his own as he takes a chair across from jonas.
it's freshly hot, yes, but his changes have it's no longer a bother. ]
It does tend to be of import, in politics, especially. [ regardless, jonas' take of the situation has his mouth spreading into a fuller smile. such sympathy! it garners a nod. from a pouch, viren draws forth a notebook. he flips it open to page, of which contains minute, somewhat scrawled, writing— detailed notes. ] Here's what I had in mind: An article of clothing, or a piece of jewelry or something of the like, that would grant me the illusion while its worn.
(leans forward to secure his coffee, pointedly avoiding eye contact. viren's face is disturbing in a way nothing so far has been, dimly reminding him of something intimidating he'd witnessed before arriving—additionally, the air of expectation is heavy and he made the man a promise. jonas can't let him down, lest he be forced to walk the city streets in this state. a lot rides on this.
nods his understanding, breathing out over the rim of his mug.)
... gotcha'. That... shouldn't be too difficult? I've seen basic illusion spells done, and I'm pretty good with runes. So, like, we should be in business, if you've got an item on you that you've always got kicking around. (remembers something his professor taught them in class, that foci were required for witches in the past to channel their magic, and sits up a bit.) Pendants are the easiest. I found jewelry easier than other stuff like fabric, or whatever. I don't know why; maybe they have higher capacity for magic...
(almost said something smart, there.)
Like this insanely evil, magical ring that was in a trilogy of movies I used to watch all the time. Super cool. Got anything like that?
[ insanely evil, magical mirrors? now that might be another question. thankfully, viren knows what a movie is by this point (and doesn't have some embarrassing misconstruction of that to lay on jonas right now), so the younger man only receives a well-earned quirk of an eyebrow. ]
But a pendant... [ he taps claws against the table. then he presses the pages of his booklet into a crease, tearing out the few. ] I can do. I can get one to you in a few days.
[ he has to -- find an appropriate (fashionable) one first. as for the pages, he holds them out for jonas to receive: within the notes are delicately, thorough drawings of runes that should prove of interest, as well as a sketched image of... what looks to be a tiara. yes. he explains, ]
This picture is of something my roommate owns. It has a similar effect; she wears it, and it casts an illusion around her that's unique to her person. I'm unsure if she would be willing to let you borrow it to study, but if you need...
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
I have a slight anomaly regarding my appearance, one where I must continually use glamours to conceal it. Here, it has me look somewhat Cwyld-infected; as you may imagine, this tends to draw .. unwelcome attention.
no subject
It's alright man, we'll figure it out.
(gobbling down his meal at breakneck speed now. he can't let viren go on like that, it sounds painful and exhausting. it'll still take him some time to get over there, but leaving sooner means arriving sooner. which may be inconvenient, but no more than looking cwyld-infected.)
I think I'm outside your place? Like half a block away. I'm so bad at directions.
(squinting at the address... squinting at the house...
well, a knock'll sort this out pretty quick.)
no subject
there's a slight twitch of his mouth that might have been an attempt at a smile, but nothing in full. ]
Hello, Jonas.
[ viren steps aside, holding the door completely ajar. he gestures, ]
Please, come inside...
no subject
Oh, god.
...
(there's an immediate scramble to patch that comment that's blurted from him in quick reaction, losing some height as he slouches and collects his hair in a rough ruffle. way to go, jonas, the guy's self-esteem's probably tanked and you're out here– still out here standing on his front step when an invite's been issued. he almost trips over all of his nervous energy in a rush to cross the threshold, slipping inside with a strange half-bow.)
Uh, sorry. I-I can see what you mean about the– (ahhhhh–) let's see what we can do, right? Haha.
no subject
but jonas' willingness to still assist? ]
Wonderful.
[ viren shuts and locks the door behind him (dun dun dunnnn). ]
[ it's only a short trek from the foyer to the living area — viren will indicate the couch, should jonas wish to sit. and because it's polite, he figures, ]
Anything I can get for you? Water, tea, coffee...? [ later in the day it may be, but he may fetch some of the lattermost for himself. ]
no subject
Coffee, or... honestly, something stronger if you have it. (because wow, they might need to get some drinks on the go here.) I take coffee black, though. My friends are getting pretty nocturnal, so I've been trying to stay up later to keep them company.
(formal job: booksitter. informal job: monstersitter.)
Viren, when did this change occur? Like, how long have you been glamouring this away?
no subject
he does wonder, idly, if the over man should find himself in the company of vampires with a remark like that, but— ]
It was a more gradual onset, well before I had arrived here. [ to be clear. ] I wouldn't be able to tell you the exact date, but... perhaps, for several years now. Being a mage of my world, it was something I had always handled myself.
[ it's something he speaks of neutrally. he does remember, when it first become... burdensome enough, or that he realized it was only to steadily grow worse, that he felt the need to begin research into his spell. he pauses as he fusses with a few items in the kitchen. ]
I can receive glamours at the Coven, for a price. One of the issues being, however, is... the inconvenience involved; illusions themselves can be inconsistent, and with this City also being how it is, getting their attention can sometimes be difficult.
[ alas, coven witches sometimes have more pressing duties to attend to than some mirrorbound's magical makeup. he can't find fault with that one. ]
no subject
(admires viren's home while he's seeing to their coffees, glancing from the spot beside him on the couch to the colour of the walls and drapes. it has a lot of character, feels warm and smells pleasant. like self-care products, maybe something perfumed. it reminds him of his father, in a strange way, which causes him to sink more comfortably into the cushions.
there's still nothing quite like irish springs, cheap and nostalgic. he wishes aefenglom had something like that.)
Jesus, I know people harsh others for like... caring too much about their appearance, but it's an important thing to maintain. Doesn't matter where you live, what's reflected outwardly's the first thing people care about. (kind of bullshit, but that's just the way society is.) Especially when you're in a position of power, right?
Like, you're their Lord. (subjects who see taint like that aren't going to give their trust as easily.)
no subject
[ he's not particularly keen to dwell on it (it does tend to reflect negatively on dark magic, woe!), perhaps evident with how his tone becomes clipped towards the end of that statement. but viren emerges from the kitchen, holding a neat tray with two beverages, a small pitcher of cream and container of sugar cubes. he sets it on the table, sliding jonas' coffee over his way (something black, strong), and immediately sipping his own as he takes a chair across from jonas.
it's freshly hot, yes, but his changes have it's no longer a bother. ]
It does tend to be of import, in politics, especially. [ regardless, jonas' take of the situation has his mouth spreading into a fuller smile. such sympathy! it garners a nod. from a pouch, viren draws forth a notebook. he flips it open to page, of which contains minute, somewhat scrawled, writing— detailed notes. ] Here's what I had in mind: An article of clothing, or a piece of jewelry or something of the like, that would grant me the illusion while its worn.
no subject
nods his understanding, breathing out over the rim of his mug.)
... gotcha'. That... shouldn't be too difficult? I've seen basic illusion spells done, and I'm pretty good with runes. So, like, we should be in business, if you've got an item on you that you've always got kicking around. (remembers something his professor taught them in class, that foci were required for witches in the past to channel their magic, and sits up a bit.) Pendants are the easiest. I found jewelry easier than other stuff like fabric, or whatever. I don't know why; maybe they have higher capacity for magic...
(almost said something smart, there.)
Like this insanely evil, magical ring that was in a trilogy of movies I used to watch all the time. Super cool. Got anything like that?
(and it's gone.)
no subject
[ insanely evil, magical mirrors? now that might be another question. thankfully, viren knows what a movie is by this point (and doesn't have some embarrassing misconstruction of that to lay on jonas right now), so the younger man only receives a well-earned quirk of an eyebrow. ]
But a pendant... [ he taps claws against the table. then he presses the pages of his booklet into a crease, tearing out the few. ] I can do. I can get one to you in a few days.
[ he has to -- find an appropriate (fashionable) one first. as for the pages, he holds them out for jonas to receive: within the notes are delicately, thorough drawings of runes that should prove of interest, as well as a sketched image of... what looks to be a tiara. yes. he explains, ]
This picture is of something my roommate owns. It has a similar effect; she wears it, and it casts an illusion around her that's unique to her person. I'm unsure if she would be willing to let you borrow it to study, but if you need...
[ hm. well, he could just ask. ]
That can be arranged.