the difference between sight and comprehension

We can view the world though the people we meet and the things we receive from places far away.

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

“Oh– really?”

Johnny supposed a little belatedly that standing near a dog doesn’t necessarily make you its owner - a truth for him, as well. He glanced back to the dog, who seemed just as happy to be ownerless at the moment, standing between the two of them, tongue hanging out of a panting smile as it looked between the talking strangers. Johnny gave him a pat on the head for good measure.

“Nah, he’s not mine– I have seen him out here a couple times though, yeah. He’s a friendly boy, huh? ♪ I’m pretty sure someone out here must own him– he always looks like he’s had a good wash and a haircut, you know? Well fed too, heh. No collar, though– maybe I’ll ask the local park ranger about it.” 

He pulled himself away from petting the dog long enough to approach the visiting man - and the dog trotted after him happily, returning to check the stranger out again now that he’d investigated Johnny thoroughly enough. 

“I’m Johnny, by the way.” He stuck out a hand for a handshake, beaming. “You said you’re visiting? Where you from?”

[transientvisions]

Arthur could have been fooled, the eager way the dog wagged its tail as the stranger pet him. But then again, the dog could just be that friendly. “He truly is. Actually, he came right over when I gestured at him.” Arthur chuckled lightly. “If your park ranger doesn’t know his owner, you should take him up for yourself.”

As the other man approached, the dog followed and sniffed at him curiously. Arthur bent down to give the dog an affectionate scratch behind the ears before returning his attention to the stranger--just in time to catch his introduction.

“Arthur,” He responded as he took the other man’s hand into a firm handshake, smiling in return. “I’m from Norad, actually. From a town called Selphia. ...The animals there have a tendency to ah, attack, which is why I...” He nodded down at the dog with a slightly embarrassed smile, figuring that was enough explanation.

[hakuchigun]

[ … The stranger doesn’t /look/ comforted by his words. Rather, he looks sheepish. Kam notices, but he doesn’t understand why. ] [ Gives an awkward little cough, before the conversation moves on to flowers. ] Crane flowers–? [ Looks up, thinking. Has he heard of them?] ( They look like little birds perched on a stem about to take flight. ) [ The description jolts his memory, and he’s definitely heard of them, but never seen them in person. He leans forward a bit, his face softening into a smile without thinking. ] What strain? [ He’s just a bit excited. Just a bit. ]

[transientvisions]

[ A smile--better than he had been doing before. Forgetting momentarily that the conversation started because of flowers that needed to be unpacked, he relaxes. ]

Oh, so you’ve heard of them? 

[ Arthur pauses as he tries to remember the name. He had written it down plenty of times, but had grown accustomed to using the common name. ] 

Strelitzia... Ah, one moment.

[ He takes out a star-shaped green notebook from his bag and flips through a couple of pages purposefully before settling on one. ]

Strelitzia reginae. [ Smiling, he closes the notebook. ] I take it you have an interest in flowers?

[knuddelmausi3-blog]

“Hey, buddy! ♥”

Johnny had seen this dog several times on his walks into town - it was one of a few he’d seen that seemed to occasionally wander the mountain trails between Oak Tree and the farmlands to the north. He was so friendly that Johnny was almost positive he must be someone in the area’s pet - the idea of which, to be perfectly honest, had been the only thing keeping him from buying some treats down at the trade depot and luring the mutt home with him.

It didn’t stop him giving the dog a playful ruffle of the fur around his collar, however - and he stopped only as he noticed the stranger a short distance away. Johnny stopped petting the dog awkwardly, straightening up a little as he addressed the other man.

“Sorry– this your dog, sir?”

[transientvisions]

The fact that the other man clearly had affection for the dog made Arthur feel at ease. He was well aware that he could come off...intense about animals at times, particularly smaller ones. But watching the stranger treat the dog similarly, he entertained the idea that wouldn’t be the case.

“Oh--no,” he said with a small shake of the head. “I’m just visiting town. I actually thought that he might be yours since he went to you.”

Arthur stood up and brushed the dirt off of his knees. “Have you seen him around very often?” He asked with a smile, his gaze slowly returning to the dog despite his attempts to look at the other man in the eye.

[transientvisions]

Hey Arthur! How have you been? Been keeping up with your health, yes?

Meg’s presence brings a warm smile to his face. “Ah, hello Meg. It’s good to see you.”

He pauses before answering. Truthfully, he couldn’t remember the last time he saw Jones for a check up...or had a more substantial meal than a snack.

Or a more substantial sleep than a nap.

“Yes, of course.” Changing gears a bit too quickly he asks, “And I trust you’ve been well?”

[hakuchigun]

[ Blunt is Kam’s middle name. Or, it would be if he had a middle name. He notices the wince, though he’s kind of used to that sort of thing when he talks to strangers. ] … [Adjusts his hat a little. ] You can probably get them repaired. Just make sure not to let it happen again. [ That’s supposed to be /comforting/, by the way. He really sucks. ] ( In any case, thank you again. I know I was walking pretty quickly, so I appreciate the effort. There are these flowers from another country I’m expecting to come in can’t be in that small box under the sun without water for long, and considering they’re out of season right now… ) [ He’s mostly nodding along politely, until the word ‘flowers’ catches in his ears. ] …What’s their name?

[transientvisions]

[ Oh dear. Arthur feels like he is being scolded--which he was used to with his health and seeming lack of rest. But always from people he knew, never from strangers. Nevertheless, he chuckles, a touch sheepishly. ]

Ah...Yes, of course.

[ The question relaxes him a bit and he smiles. A topic that didn’t paint him as careless with his prized possessions, and one he is glad to answer considering how often he had for sales pitches. ]

They’re called crane flowers. [ Smiling. ] They look like little birds perched on a stem about to take flight.

[transientvisions]

heartlikeabook

If there was one thing he missed about his home back at the capital city, it was ease of access to libraries. He missed the immediacy of pages and scrolls, things that he now needed to order through the mail. The Kardia library was one of the closest ones to Selphia. He wanted to check if they had a book he wanted to read. Arthur had a copy back at the city, but he would rather not go all the way home unnecessarily. Nor was he keen to order a new one.

He entered the library quietly, slowly shutting the door behind him before seeking out the librarian. When he did notice her, he paused for a moment before a small smile spread on his face. “Ah... We’ve met before, haven’t we?”

[transientvisions]

knuddelmausi

One of his favorite things about traveling outside of Adonea was the fact that animals were just much nicer. Or at least, far less prone to attacking than the ones that lurked beyond Selphia’s town walls. Arthur smiled, perhaps the most naturally he had in a while, as he patted the dog’s head and scratched behind its ears.

“You certainly are a cute one aren’t you...? And so friendly...”

As he reached back a little to pat the dog’s back, it suddenly wandered from his reach towards a stranger. Arthur looked up and smiled sheepishly, snatching his hand behind him.

“Ah...hello.” He said slowly, trying to regain his normal composure.

[transientvisions]

cunningdragonpriest

Arthur carried a small box in his hand that he held as far away from him as possible. Vaguely, he wondered if Leon would appreciate it, given its peculiar...smell. But it had use, which is why he tried to acquire it in the first place. He just didn’t know that it would come...well, with that.

He knocked on the door to Leon’s room. “Leon? Are you home?” He asked, subconsciously tilting his head away from the box.

[hakuchigun]

[ He’s slightly relieved when the stranger takes the item without much issue. Since they were so busy, there was always the chance they’d be upset at his sudden interruption. ] ( Ah–! Thank you. I’m afraid I was in a bit of a rush due to– ) [ Nods his head. ] It’s… not a problem. [ The stranger opens up the picked up item– Kam hadn’t noticed it was a glasses case, since he’d picked it up and called out quickly– and Kam almost frowns along with him when it’s revealed the glasses are broken. ] Ah… [ It’s not such a surprise the glasses cracked, after having fallen to the ground, he wants to say, but instead he just nods. ] Even if they were just spares, it’s not good to be careless.

[transientvisions]

[ He winces at the statement. It’s a bit blunt, but it’s true. ]

I suppose you’re right about that... It really doesn’t pay well, that’s certain.

[ A sigh. He just feels lucky that the stranger, most likely a tourist, seemed to be on the normal side of the spectrum. ]

In any case, thank you again. I know I was walking pretty quickly, so I appreciate the effort. There are these flowers from another country I’m expecting to come in can’t be in that small box under the sun without water for long, and considering they’re out of season right now...

[ He realizes he’s vocalizing his thoughts and smiles sheepishly. ]

Ah--sorry. I didn’t mean to babble on like that.

[transientvisions]

lunathefashionista

Arthur pursed his lips into a slight frown as he glanced over the shop’s clothing and accessories, unsure of what would be suitable or even fashionable. The fashion here was a little different than he was used to. And vaguely, he wondered if his subtle secrecy was being a bit too sensitive. He had noticed the comments sometimes towards his clothes, but generally would brush them off and note them for later shopping occasions. Such as now.

The problem was, he didn’t really know what would be considered normal. Arthur always thought what he wore daily was normal enough. So with a small sigh, he moved on from the set of clothes he was looking at, the picture of helplessness. He caught the eye of a girl who seemed to work there and gave a little way. “Ah, excuse me, miss...?

[transientvisions]

relise-the-kraken

Truly, it was an impressive estate. The gardens up front were well maintained and the house was about as large as the castle back in town. Perhaps bigger, he wasn’t quite sure yet. He supposed he was dealing with a very wealthy ranch owner. Arthur could only hope that he might be able to convince her to do business with him.

He gave the front door a little knock, pulling his cloak over himself and smoothening out the fabric. A polite smile grew on his face as he patiently waited for someone to answer the door.

[hakuchigun]

transientvisions

[ Selphia was, all in all, a lively town. Villagers and visitors alike milled around in the town, taking in the view (the waterways and the cliff were such stark differences, yet it somehow made the town even more charming) and Kam was no exception. ]

[ He had already been to the flower shop– Illuminata’s– to check out the types of flowers that grew in Selphia, of course, and now he was headed back to the bathhouse he was staying at. ]

[ Before he even arrived at the street it was on, an official looking man with glasses passed by Kam; the man’s clothes were intricate, and might have even stood out in a plainer town, but in Selphia he seemed to fit in well. The glasses wearing man seemed in a hurry– or at least, he was distracted– and didn’t seem to notice as something slipped from his robes. ]

…Hm? Ah…

[ Kam picked the item up off of the ground, before lifting his head up to look for the person who had dropped it. They were still in sight, so Kam sped up a little, calling out. ]

[ When he caught up, he tapped the person on their shoulder, handing the item over. ]

You dropped this. Take better care of your things next time.

[transientvisions]

[ Time, time, time. Arthur never seemed to have enough of it. It certainly didn’t help that sometimes, things had to be done at certain times. Especially when dealing with perishable shipments on a particularly warm fall day. ]

[ Which is why when he felt the tapping on his shoulder, he turned and blinked, eyes not fully registering the strangers words for a moment. With the shake of his head, he smiled apologetically and took the item. ]

Ah--! Thank you. I’m afraid I was in a bit of a rush due to--

[ He opened the item--a glasses case--to check on the condition of (one) of the spares he carried with him...and frowned. Cracked, straight down the right lens. ]

... I suppose I should be more careful.

[transientvisions]

{{ Eeey I’m in need of threads so I suppose like this or send me a message and I’ll drop you something in your inbox~ }}

[the-midnight-skye]

A Prince and a “Prince” - Arthur/Skye

[the-midnight-skye]

As the man leaned closer towards him, Skye leaned away, not wanting the stranger to get a good look at his face.  The princess had most likely alerted the town of his presence, so if the man figured out who he was, he would definitely be in a lot of trouble.

“Oh… ?  This isn’t the restaurant entrance?”  He feigned innocence, looking around as if the place did not look like an office instead of a diner.  “My apologies. ♥”

Unable to simply tell the man that he had come in through a window, Skye continued his lie, walking towards the door and gesturing towards it.  “Why through the unlocked door of course.  Did you not hear me come in~?”

[transientvisions]

The way the stranger avoided his gaze set off a few mental alarms for Arthur. Why exactly would he not want him to see his face? He stood from his desk, slowly walking around it closer to the man.

“Ah... No, this is my office. I run a business from here and the restaurant is next door.” He smiled as he faced the stranger again, leaning back against his desk.

The smile faded when the stranger spoke of the unlocked door and his eyes flitted towards the lock, as if he could see whether or not he had locked it from that far away. “No. I’m afraid you’ve been, ah, very quiet.” He tilted his head, ever so slightly. “My apologizes, I’m usually better with faces than this, but have we met before?” He was pretty sure they have not, but he couldn’t shake that feeling that he should know him. Something about his appearance was familiar...

[iristocraticauthor]

Books, Books, and more Books (Arthur & Iris)

[iristocraticauthor]

The pile of books was amazing! Why, it rivaled her own back home. In fact, she would say that it was better. With so many novels of different sizes, it was amazing. She could take one off the shelf and start reading it now if she wanted to, she suppose. The feeling itched inside her, wanting to be scratched and to relish in the world of reading.

Iris smiled at him, folding her hands in front of her. “Hello. I was wondering about your wares. I heard that you were similar to a trading vendor if I’m not mistaken?”

[transientvisions]

There was no need to follow her gaze to know what she was looking at. Arthur did spend a lot of time in his office, after all. He vaguely wondered if she was looking for a book of some sort--which would be an entertaining deal for him to negotiate, considering his own personal interest in books.

“Ah--yes,” said Arthur with a polite nod. “I do trade with towns all over Norad and internationally when I get the chance. I don’t specialize in any one particular thing, but because of that I have quite a variety. Was there something in particular you were looking for, Miss..?”

[the-midnight-skye]

A Prince and a “Prince” - Arthur/Skye

[the-midnight-skye]

Dammit.

Hearing the voice directed towards him, Skye turned around and flashed the man an evidently annoyed smile.  He was hoping to get away unnoticed, but that was obviously wishful thinking,

“O-Oh… is it now?” Skye said as he faked innocence, trying to keep the smile on his face looking as genuine as possible.  “My apologies… I thought this restaurant also served as a bar… and was open later into the night.”  It was a terrible excuse, but it was all he could think of in the moment.

Now Skye was stuck.  Either he could leave or he could try to steal from the man anyway.  Unfortunately for him, his magic did not work on men, so he was put in quite a difficult situation.

[transientvisions]

Arthur frowned at the annoyed expression that the other man gave him. It seemed like he was trying to cover it up at least, but Arthur wasn’t exactly a fan of being annoyed at for telling someone they couldn’t be in his office in the middle of the night.

“Ah... You would be incorrect in that. The restaurant closes at night and this is also...the incorrect entrance,” he said, keeping a neutral expression. He leaned forward a bit to examine the stranger closely. Something in his memory was struggling to get his attention, but he couldn’t quite grasp it. To be fair, it was late and there was someone in his office acting odd.

Arthur glanced at the door that he was sure did not open while he was working before returning his attention back to the man. “...May I also ask how you found your way in here?”

[ventischarm-deactivated20150629]

Something Is Different | Arthur and Venti

[ventischarm-deactivated20150629]

She smiled with a nod, glancing around the office. “I came to check on you,” she stated, giving the other a smile.

She wandered around a moment, studying the various objects scattered around. “Everyone’s been so busy lately, it makes me rather lonely,” she hummed, pausing and tapping the globe. “It’s good for them and their businesses, but very terrible for my social needs.”

In the back of her mind Venti wondered if Arthurs already knew who she was. Several people had already guessed, had spread the rumour around the small town. Still, it could of always escaped some’s ears.

After a moments pause she turned to him, smiling brightly. “So, sorry for the sudden appearance!”

[transientvisions]

Arthur blinked a few times at the girl’s remark. ‘Check on’ him? What an odd thing for a stranger to say. Nevertheless, he kept on a smile calculated to perfect neutrality. “Ah... Thank you.”

“Yes, business is booming and it’s...very good for the town.” He raised an eyebrow. He wasn’t quite sure what the girl meant by social needs, but her voice did sound somewhat familiar.

It was only when she turned to him and smiled did a thought occur to him. But that couldn’t be possible, right...? “Ah...pardon the question. If it seems odd, I mean.” He ventured carefully, pursing his lips. By any chance, are you... Do we know each other?”