#hriob answers asks

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

B e e r

"...hah. Funny, maybe a little, but only when I actually work with my brewing personally, which is not as often as one might think these days."

"Hell, I barely drink as often as I used to. I still enjoy the flavor and aroma of most alcohols, but the alcohol itself has no effect on me anymore... it has not been able to affect me in a very, very long time, now that I think on it..."

[finncomet]

@hriobzagelthewanderer​​ continued from here:

The man did not outwardly react as he simply listened to the lad, but took another small sip of tea from his own cup, before finally smiling gently, a slow nod being granted towards Finn.

"...that... is surprisingly mature of you, for one your age. The words alone are simply that, yet I can feel your conviction as you say them to me. I think I can accept such an answer from you without issue, Finn."

Finally finishing his tea, the elder set down his cup, then slowly stood, not to impose so much as to simply stretch his arms and back more casually... finally extending a large, calloused and bandage-wrapped hand to the young hero. "I forget if I gave my name previously, but you may call me Hriob, if you wish. I ask two questions of you, for the moment: what kind of tea do you like, if any, and are you looking for a mentor, by chance, to improve your skills?"

☄️ Finn couldn’t stop himself from letting out a few laughs, and he suddenly downed his tea in seemingly one giant gulp before setting the empty cup back down. “Thanks. But how old do you think I am? I’ll give you a prize if you guess it correctly.”

He took the other’s hand in his own, the one made of smooth but slightly worn metal. “Nice to meet you officially, Hriob. Er... what skills are you talking about here, exactly? ‘Cuz if it involves magic, I might have to take you up on that offer.”

“And as for tea - I like the Irish breakfast style, with milk and honey. That’s how my mom makes it.” 🦋

[cursedfortune]

💭 + The Shaman

Thoughts. @hriobzagelthewanderer

"Indeed. Very Shaman." The witch answered vaguely as ever. Fingers threading through her hair, brushing it back and over her shoulder. Her gaze, hollow as it often appeared despite the vast variety of emotions it contained hidden within their inky depths, trailed over to Hriob for a long and quiet moment.

It was him. It wasn't as though a stranger was present to ask. She hummed, finding herself in a rare situation where she actually felt conflicted to voice something to another's face. Why? There was no shyness in her, no shame or modesty to prevent it. So no absurd or ridiculous notions. So what was it?

Her tongue clicked audibly as she clearly was mulling over just how to answer. Or if one were to go beyond what has already been said.

"Harmony." Mortem answered anyways as she eyed him over. "Uncertainty." In him or her? She bristled but not solely out of anger. That would be rude, she enjoyed his company too much to express negativity when she didn't actually feel it. The witch is... thoughtful. Brows knitted, focused but not because the question presented is difficult. Something else... How curious.

"Harmony, because I find our energies easy to mesh. Uncertainty, because I do not yet know what that means beyond something I find comfortable. And it's not for emotional reasons, nor sentimental ones. Those are not the things to lead this charge, not when we still have only started to blossom in this friendship." Closer. Yes, she is getting closer. "Old things. Things without souls. They understand me well, you see. Things with souls do not. Never completely. Never fully. It's easy to say all people exist this way, because we do. It's a touch more complicated, however, when I'm not really a person. Not in the ways you still are." It's not a comment that comes laced with self-pity. It is fact. She knows of the design of witches, the cosmic tools that they are. She knows the truth.

Her fingers flexed slightly before lifting, a quick motion - frustrated. Yet she takes her chin between her fingers, willing herself beyond it to focus. "These souls my people possess... they exist to tether us together. Beyond that, I am a product of my function, my purpose. An undeniable truth that cannot un-see reality. And though I am quite certain you have seen much and feel much, I do wonder if that is still enough to understand the places I have gone - and the places I will go."

Do not get her started on the visions. She will not address them at this juncture. So soon, when she is still so full of uncertainty about such a thing. Things that may or may not come to pass. Things he may know or not know. No, she will not speak on the what ifs when they have only just begun. And thus, she'll only say the truths that are within reach. Because knowing these things now may just help in knowing the things that could come.

Mortem may be a lonely creature trapped within her own design, but she was aware and without regret for it. The witch could only be so lucky that those that mutually wished to spend time with her understood her in the ways needed. Especially ones like Hriob, with longevity and the likes. Or else this isn't a reality but a fictitious nightmare of a tale that will have no ending, but be left hanging like a thread cut without a purpose.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

"Hey Hriob~ Guess what~ Turns out followin' your lead wasn't the best idea, huh?"

"WILL YOU LET ME GRIEVE IN PEACE? YOU HAVE NO IDEA OF THE SACRIFICE I HAVE JUST BORNE FOR YOU."

...yeah, apparently he's a little upset still.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

"Grrrr BARK BARK BARK"

"...do you kiss princesses with that mouth?"

"Honestly, that was uncalled for- I was not aware you felt so strongly but still-"

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Don't forget to make chocolate for your harem, Hriob!

"...its not a- Nope, I do not have time to argue this again."

Time to temporarily kick the chefs out of his kitchen for some quick confectionery work.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Wait, is that an army of squirrels?

"...finally, a worthy adversary! OUR BATTLE SHALL BE LEGENDARY!!!"

The Dog-Shifted-Fae spends the next hour brutally massacring the invading army of tree-dwelling rodents, laughing and barking all the while.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

LOOK A SQUIRREL-

"...Nope... not going to fall for that... Not going to-"

BORKBORKBORKBORKBORKBORK-

"...I mean... ahem... that was not a squirrel, that was a chipmunk. They are entirely different animals... I think it is gone now."

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

She might be sitting and waiting patiently for her food bowl, but the drool flows from her floppy cheeks.

Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. Leave it to Hriob to give her a bowl full of fresh cuts of meat as much as kibble, and one for his own dog as well...

...or rather, his Familiar, Gurrel. Said hyper-intelligent Valhund is quietly eating and wiping a paw on Galleta's face to help with the drool.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

"I think you'd taste meaty — not in that way, but, rather, lots of muscle. Chewy, with a rich, venison-like flavor. Maybe some spice to go alongside it."

"...I... suppose you are correct...? Let us pray I do not get the chance for someone to find out-"

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

"Oh, are ya going ta a wedding?? That's so sweet! Do ya need something ta wear? I can make something warm fa ya!"

"Oh? Yeah, I was making a plan for it... though I already asked for help with my outfit - and my Plus One's outfit. That said I am more than happy for the offer, maybe we should work on something together? I did offer to help you learn more about other forms of Magic after all, might as well get you started a bit more hands-on."

"Where would you want to go to start our lessons, then?"

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Are we gifting Hriob now? The compass rolls while dragging a guyabano fruit from her chain. She leaves it at Hriob’s desk and just. Sits there. Innocently. Very innocently.

"So... This looks sort of like a durian, but... huh. Interesting texture, not sure if I like the flavor but it is... nice! Thank you!"

He can tell the Compass is still watching, but... maybe its the lack of visible eyes that helps? He can still feel all the other eyes on him as he eats, but while creamy the unusual gift is not quite as messy as the others so far... not that he doesn't still keep up his current eating habits.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

"Want some honey, Hriob? It's fresh and goes great with all that fruit you're eating!" She holds up a huge piece of honeycomb, already dripping with thick globs of golden ambrosia.

"...I will admit it looks delicious. I am also starting to think I should have not tried to snack in the Library as I studied, if this is how this is going to typically end up going forwards."

He hesitated for a moment - but the moment he saw the honey start to form droplets he quietly took it and began to go to work, trying but not quite succeeding at shutting out the growing audience.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Soc is just going to casually give Hriob a kiss on the cheek before putting a pomegranate in his hand. She smiles before walking off.

"...Huh, I do not believe there is any sort of fruit-related holiday going on... ah well, more for me-"

He touches his cheek gently, where her lips had pressed against him, before he starts to tear into the pomegranate... only to growl a bit as it threatened to all but explode all over him, already moving his mouth to pick up the tiny shards of fruit before they could fall further.

"...why am I being given progressively messier fruits? As much as I love pomegranate... I am going to be here for hours at this rate..."

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Sol is just going to casually come on by and offer Hriob an especially juicy peach.

"...oh! Thank you - I admit I tend to prefer citrus to stonefruits, but this one does look rather good, thank you!"

The Fae smiles and gently takes the peach, biting into it... only to frown as instantly juice leaks over his arm.

"...perkele... just finished cleaning this off..." ...aaaaand now he's licking his arm clean. Again. Clearly not realizing he has an audience as he tries to once more lap up the juice before it gets bast his elbow.

[hriobzagelthewanderer]

Well if I were to guess what Hriob would taste like maybe it'd be- "FOR SCIIIIIEEEEENCE!" OH GOD, AMELIA LEAPT AT HRIOB, TONGUE AT THE READY! Guess she wanted to know first-hand!

Thankfully, Hriob, big as he is, is pretty damn good at dodging incoming projectiles. Said over-eager experimenter overshot and went flying... through a quickly-opened portal to the top of a random snowy mountain-peak, which closed up after her.

"...Not today, Amelia. Enjoy your little Skiing Holiday, I hope it helps you cool off a bit!"