( catch-all ) come away with innocence and leave me with my sins

[oldhound]

Who: John Constantine oldhound+ you!
What: open and closed prompts in comments.
When: Mostly February but with a prompt or two likely from January and December.
Where: all around the place!

Content Warnings: none yet. will update here and in subject lines as needed.

Comments

[oldhound]

The man is typing on the funny crystal. He has one of those in his pocket but he just thought it was a pretty bauble. He likes it in here, though. It isn't as busy and it feels nice in a way he can't quite explain.

John shuffles over to the grown-up, mouth twisting as he doesn't immediately give back the loom but gets up a little on the tips of his toes to read the words typed out. Reaching up to rub at his cheek he shakes his head.

[wwrench]

John's wariness manages to feel surprising. There's a part of Wrench that still can hardly imagine the man ever being anything but what he is right now -- brash, and self-assured to the point of being cocky. The boy in front of him looks nothing of the sort, and it makes him want to soften. He's altogether too aware of who the child will grow to be, and whether John will remember any of this when he's back to himself is still yet to be determined. So Wrench tucks the loom under his arm and types again.

That's okay. You can call me Wrench. I'm a friend of the shop owner, and I stay here sometimes. He shows the message, then offers out the loom as a trade while he types a little more. What should I call you?

[oldhound]

Well, this little one is years away from that now. His home life has already started that molding but the rest is yet to come. Even though he's keeping the loom to himself, he doesn't seem to be mean about it. Just wants to find out what he's doing here.

He nods at being told the man's name and offers the tiniest of waves even though he's right there. His eyes go a little wide at the mention of who owns the shop. Wrench knows someone who does real magic? Taking the loom, he goes to say something out loud but stops frowning thoughtfully---

If the man is typing then maybe he should try that instead. He's a little slow at it but reaches out to type out his name: John.

[wwrench]

The wave almost makes Wrench laugh. It's an innocent and earnest little gesture that suits the wide-eyed expression of the boy in front of him. A puff of amused air escapes through his nose, but the man hands over his Omni when it's gestured at and goes right back to crossing his arms, waiting half-patiently for the name that's already familiar to him. Still, it's better to ask than risk something that might come as a shock to the boy.

It's nice to meet you then, John. He types back agreeably enough. I'm Deaf, but if you want to talk out loud I can switch this to pick up your voice. He watches as the boy seems pulled to glance about the shop again.

Do you like magic?

[oldhound]

These are probably some of the last years anyone would've looked at John Constantine and thought he was either innocent or earnest. There's flickers of it in the adult that come out in small doses. Bits flaked off and drawn out gently by this place in odd ways.

He smiles when Wrench says that it's nice to meet him and reads the next bit. Oh, that explains why he isn't talking. Okay. There's a nod when he mentions switching the crystal thing and then a more excited one as his eyes widen with the question.

"Yes! Me and my friend Natalie are learning about it, that's why we made the loom. Cause of the stories," he wiggles it in emphasis, sleeve sliding down a bit on his arm, but then puts a hand to his mouth cause he doesn't know if he gave Wrench enough time to switch the thing to hear him talk.