sooochangeable | Appointments Post

[Of course it was bloody raining when he arrived. Like anything else could possibly go wrong.

But then doesn't something else always go wrong?

Like the tiny little detail that James has nowhere to stay, has no idea where to find a place or how to pay for it. He hasn't exactly be introduced to the concept that any free room is his to take. So he's just been wandering - first in an attempt to make himself scarce from the scene of his arrival; second - to get a feel of where he was. And he was very much put off by it.

He'd still maintain the sad little persona of a beaten man, the stitches on his forehead would only arouse the wrong kind of curiosity if he didn't use them upfront.

James had ducked under an awning, with the way the rain was coming down he didn't want to be wet and hurt at the same time if he could avoid it. He'd gotten ahold of an over-sized shirt to wear but he still donned his 'new arrival' trousers. Under the very big woolly sweater were his wings - two black, little pathetic things that had failed to move an inch since he arrived.

Jilly was the first person who had happened past him in over thirty minutes and he wasn't going to pass that up.

He cleared his throat, the sound drowned out from the noise of the rain but - thought that counted. He didn't even have to try to look pathetic.]

Excuse me, miss?

[she hears the words, even if she doesn't hear the soft sound before them, and she looked up, shielding her gaze with one hand.

Her eyes widened just slightly when they landed on the wounded man, darting from his hangdog expression to the stitches and the tell-tale remnants of new-feather clothing. There was a terrible bruise forming on his jaw, cuts and abrasions from a recent fist fight...and bruises in the shape of fingers at his throat.

She wasn't a doctor, but she'd seen enough of this on the street to guess at what had happened to him...and not that long ago. Everything about this was fresh.]

Oh-

Oh god. Are you alright? [it was a ridiculous question, really. He obviously wasn't. But where her initial words failed her, her body language didn't. In an instant, everything about her stance changed.

Her hands went wide and open at her sides, fully visible. Her shoulders relaxed and--after the initial shock--her blue eyes settled on his. Everything about her diminished what little threat she might have been...not that she'd really have posed much of one, being barely over 5'0".]

What happened?

[James - under the persona - staves off a laugh that sounds partially like a cry. Breathless in a sense.

Ahh - no, m'not alright. [Obviously. Understatement of the year. Reflexive to the perpetual itch of fresh stitches, James scratches at the area of his hairline close to the sutures and withdrawals the finger instantly. Chiding himself internally.]

I just...I dunno. I was home one moment - [On a rooftop, sticking a gun in his mouth, forcing a man to kill himself. Home sweet home.] - and then I woke up here in the clinic and there was this absolute madman in the room with me and he just... [He takes a quick breath, shuddering. He manages a pained smile.]

He just started attacking me!

[that staves of her next reaction, which was to suggest the clinic. Times like these really made her miss Len more than ever.

Her voice is soft, worry marring her features.] I'm so sorry...

[if it occurs to her to ask why he was attacked, she doesn't do it. She knows too well how it feels to be blamed when you're the victim of a crime.

Father forgive me, for I have sinned. I made my brother...

She doesn't reach for him, either. Having just been attacked, that's probably the last thing he wants. Instead, she forces the tiniest of smiles, tilting her head back in the direction she'd come] Do you want to get out of the rain? There's food and drink just a little further in the village. [and there'd be a chance to see how bad his injuries really were]

[James might stand a good eight inches taller than her but he manages to make himself look unbelievably small; shoulders hunched in and head bowed while his frame drowned in fabric.

He looked as if he was just barely keeping himself from letting any tears loose. And really, who could blame him? He'd just woken up in a strange place with wings and had someone nearly beat him to death. Any normal person would be upset.]

Please? [He looked hopeful for a moment. That someone might actually be able to help him.]

That'd be nice.

I don't exactly know where to go.

Here. I'll show you.

[her brow furrowed, apologetic] I'm sorry...I don't have an umbrella.

[fine with the rain for herself, she didn't like forcing him out into it when he already looked so miserable...but she was hoping food and warmth would help]

The name of the village is Luceti. It's...well, I'd say it's probably not what you're expecting, but you've had just about the worst welcome possible. [her tone was gentle as she kept a careful eye on him, starting to head in the direction of the village shops. If he didn't look able to travel, she'd have to call for one of the healers or doctors to help him] It's not usually like that, though. Not that you've got any reason to believe me.

[James smiled, looking coy and ducking his head as he stepped into the rain and walked with her.]

S'alright. I don't mind getting wet really. Just wasn't prepared for it.

[He laughs again, the sound comes with a bit more body to it. Like it could be genuine amusement.]

I think I'll take to believing you on that end. Somehow I don't think the welcome wagon traditionally comes with psychotics.

I'm James - by the way.

[that laugh was a relief, really, and she gives him a faint smile at the sound.] Jilly.

...I'm not saying it's for sure--I don't know what happened--but if you woke up in the clinic...maybe they did too. Not everyone takes showing up here well.

[she shook her head, some of her curls escaping her hood to be instantly drenched by the rain] If wings and kidnappings weren't enough, there's no telling where people will end up.

...But I guess no one's really been able to talk to you about all this yet, right? You probably have a world of questions.

I read the guide last night if that helps any?

[After having his head stitched and being patted on the back, James cracked the journal open and figured it out. Sort of.]

Bit much to take in.

How many people are here anyways?

I'd say it's easier, hearing it from a person, but I don't know how true that actually is.

[her head tilted as she thought] I'm not sure. Over a hundred, I think, though I'm not sure how much more.

[thankfully they weren't far from the main part of town, and she directs them towards the coffee shop. There would be hot and cold drinks there, and food. And it would be more quiet than Good Spirits.]

Good Lord, that many?

[James follows her dutifully through the rain like a beat up little puppy being promised food. And he is hungry - that part at least, isn't an act.]

There's a lot I don't really know whether to believe or not but I guess if we can get wings then I should just swallow my medicine, huh?

You're taking it better than most.

[it's a accompanied by a sideways glance. Not out of distrust, really, but surprise.

She had accepted it with little question...but then, she'd always believed in places like this. Or wanted to believe, anyway. She wasn't used to others being so accepting, especially after going through the kind of ordeal he'd faced. If anything, she would have expected that to make him less trusting.]

[He smiles a bit, tugging at the hem of his sweater as he does.]

I'm not so sure I'm awake right now, yanno?

[she gives him a small, apologetic smile] Well, you've had to deal with a bit more than a pinch. But I get it. I thought I was in the Dreamworlds when I first got here.

Dreamworlds?

[her concern kept her grounded and more serious than usual, but some of her characteristic joy comes back to her eyes at the question.]

My friend Sophie...she can visit another world when she sleeps. It's not just a normal dream though. Not like you'd expect. she actually has a full life there, and she's not the only person I know who's been there.

[she gave him a sideways glance, and from her smile it's hard to tell whether she's being serious or pulling his leg] Of course, she's got fairy blood, so it's never been a surprise that she could get there. When I woke up here, with wings, I kind of hoped that I'd managed to dream myself over, too.

[James listens intently as he trots after her, nodding at the right moments and humming up until 'fairy blood' is mentioned...then he goes quiet and speaks after she's finished.]

I picked all that up, I promise, but:

Fairy..blood?

[she's still got that light in her eyes...something halfway between teasing and truth.

After all, she doesn't doubt this for a second]

On her mother's side. I don't know if fairy is really the right word, but it fits. Because she's kind of magic.

What like, 'abracadabra' king of magic?

[He's either trying to call her on the bluff, or he's genuinely interested...both are of equal chance here.]

More like 'ancient spirit' kind of magic.

Normally this would be the part where I tell you you're off your rocker but seeing as we've got wings and all I'm more inclined to believe you.

[Speaking of wings, it'd be of note that James's haven't moved, twitched, fluttered or flattened since his first instant here. It might be due to getting the shit beat of him but....it might not be.]

[she laughed, not at all offended by the off-her-rocker comment. After all, she'd heard the same or worse many, many times before] Well, you'll have to take my word on Sophie...but there's plenty else here that's fantastic in it's own right.

Yeah, you're right about that.

[He smiles a little, slightly embarrassed that he called her insane pretty much.]

I saw a turtle the size of a person walking around the other day.

[Either she doesn't notice his embarrassment or, more likely, she chooses not to draw attention to it. Either way, being called insane (however it was phrased) was nothing new. If anything, it was amusingly familiar]

There are a few, actually. Though I haven't really had a chance to talk with them, yet.

No shortage of weird here. I guess that's good. Never a dull day.

[Or so he says...]

[action, morning, March 19]

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