( 01 ) ( video / action. )

[feigns]

[ when the video clicks on, it shows a teenager — not uncommon in and of itself — looking distinctly bemused, not wet and somewhat out of sorts. what can be seen of his surroundings show him to be near the fountain, like most new arrivals, although he doesn't look especially surprised. when he speaks, his tone is primarily level, whilst his accent belies his british origins — southern english, with a noticeable undercurrent of welsh. ]

The last time I was here, I was greeted by a multitude of redheads and a blonde. I also, as it happens, momentarily believed myself to be Alice, although rather than having taken a tumble down a rabbit hole, I found myself the victim of a short drop into water. This time, I find myself in possession of all of my faculties and wholly dry. Alas, there appears to be no redheads in my immediate vicinity — recognisable ones, that is — or the solitary blonde bearing a cup of delightful coffee with an awful name. [ a beat. ] If it helps, I could go for a short paddle in the fountain and recreate my arrival from before; the sympathy and pity were quite welcome.

[ there's another pause, albeit a longer one, and the humour briefly fades from his expression and is replaced by a rather marked lack of surety. ] Tessa—. [ nope, nevermind. refuge in the familiar; awkward conversations can come later. ]

I wonder, will I have to spend my first night under a bush again?

Comments

1:?

[likeboudica]

[ Is that-- ]

[likeboudica]

[ it is. ]

[likeboudica]

[ And he's mentioned her name. Tessa doesn't know what to make of that-- perhaps it is only natural, that he should wonder whether she is still here. He seems to remember his last stay, so he must know that she was here.

Likely, it means nothing. ]

DONE

[likeboudica]

Will.

[ Despite it all, she cannot bring herself to call him Mr Herondale now as she did at times when he was in the City before. She does not want to be the one to set such a distant tone, even though it is likely only foolish hope that keeps her from it. ]

[feigns]

[ so she is still here. he can't quite decide if this a relief or not, not with with what he can remember from the last time he was here, and not with what has happened recently. for him. ]

—You're still here.

[action]

[charring]

I wouldn't recommend swimming in the fountain. For starters, it's cold out. [Charlie's nearby, smiling just slightly. She's holding a shopping bag in one hand. Sorry. No coffee. She overheard the last part of what the guy said about swimming in the fountain and couldn't keep herself from commenting.] Second, lets take into consideration how many people have landed in the thing. For all you know, it's gross in there.

[All the teasing in her tone.] Since you said 'last time I was here', I'm hoping you don't need the welcoming speech about curses and deities and all.

[feigns]

[ he starts a little at being spoken to in person, although once he realises who is speaking to him, he recovers somewhat and flashes her a wry smirk. ] I live in England. [ a beat, and he eyes her for a moment before adding: ] It's always cold. I imagine the country doesn't know the meaning of the word warmth, not when it comes to weather. And equally, the deities could make a point of cleaning the water, or of bringing in those that wash.

[ airily: ] I shouldn't want welcoming even if I hadn't been here before.

[charring]

I'll take your word for it. [She extends her hand, introducing herself.] Charlie. Hello.

[That's pretty much what passes for manners from Miss McGee, here. Most days.]

[synanthrope]

William.

[feigns]

Saya.

[synanthrope]

Certainly not who I expected.

[ video ]

[shall_yield_us]

...you've spoken the better part of seconds and seconds and seconds and ticking and I've received no mention. Oh, for shame.

[ video ]

[feigns]

And what would you have had me say? I'd rather not relive the reception of a heart, you realise.

[ voice ]

[waitedforyears]

Well, if you want a redheads welcoming you, I better oblige. Hi there, Will.

[feigns]

Hello, Miss Pond. I ought to give my thanks, oughtn't I?

video;

[hexuality]

[With all the departures she's had to grapple with lately, a return is something of a surprise (and certainly not an unpleasant one). Ginny smirks at the camera.]

No sympathy or pity from this redhead, I'm afraid. But I'll give you a welcome back.

[feigns]

And if I didn't want welcoming in the strictest of senses?

voice;

[invisibilities]

You shouldn't jump in the fountain.

voice;

[feigns]

Are you speaking from experience?

[entangles]

Sounds like you fell into the wrong time period.

[feigns]

You shan't get any disagreements there.

[1charmingangel]

Oh. You're back.

[feigns]

It looks that way.

[deadly_legacy]

[It's not red hair or blonde hair, but pink falls somewhere between them maybe.]

You spent your first night under a bush? Ah... There are beds at the welcome center. You are more than... [She was about to say welcome, but that sounds a little silly now.] Please feel free to stay there until you find something more permanent.

[feigns]

I forget the reason — perhaps it was merely that it had seemed appropriate, or I'd wished to indulge in such ridiculous and romantic notions such as gazing upon pale stars flooded with glory. I've no such wish this time, so perhaps I shall.