[ The contest to collect the new Aions has been ongoing for several hours, but after visits to half of the shrines, Howl still has not been able to locate his quarry. He can't not engage Estinien after so openly declaring his intention to do so (and so confidently on top of it), but he hadn't expected it to be so difficult to simply find the man. The longer it goes without engaging him, the more he's failing to keep the dragoon occupied and distracted.
There is one other thing he can try. It probably won't work. There's no reason to expect it to work. But... well. Maybe, it's an excuse, too. To reach out, to try to talk. He hasn't spoken to Estinien since he tried to change his mind in the ritual chamber, but he vividly remembers their exchange. How easily Estinien shrugged off Howl's attempts to make him come to his senses. Howl's own intense mixed feelings as he discovered Estinien's privilege in not truly being along in this place. He has no intention of digging those topics back up, unpleasant as they are for Howl, but in a strange way, he wants to talk to him again. Even if only as a prelude to trying to kill each other.
The wind rushes through Howl's blond hair as he dives towards the ground, reaching his exhilarating top speed just as his wings spread wide again to cushion his landing. Sharp, taloned toes flex into the dirt, anchoring him and halting his remaining momentum. Howl feels for the Shard hidden within the deep covering of dark, iridescent black feathers coating his body and takes a deep breath as he draws it out in front of him. ]
Estinien.
[ Howl focuses his mind on the name, saying it deliberately in his inner 'voice', not just to call the man out but to help him locate his distant mind. It's much harder to contact one of the Pleroma, but Howl already knows from experience that it isn't impossible. After a short pause, he continues. ]
I've been looking for you. I'm to keep you busy during all this, you know. [ as blunt as the confession is, Howl's voice is soft and even. ] Where are you?
howl, closed to estinien
There is one other thing he can try. It probably won't work. There's no reason to expect it to work. But... well. Maybe, it's an excuse, too. To reach out, to try to talk. He hasn't spoken to Estinien since he tried to change his mind in the ritual chamber, but he vividly remembers their exchange. How easily Estinien shrugged off Howl's attempts to make him come to his senses. Howl's own intense mixed feelings as he discovered Estinien's privilege in not truly being along in this place. He has no intention of digging those topics back up, unpleasant as they are for Howl, but in a strange way, he wants to talk to him again. Even if only as a prelude to trying to kill each other.
The wind rushes through Howl's blond hair as he dives towards the ground, reaching his exhilarating top speed just as his wings spread wide again to cushion his landing. Sharp, taloned toes flex into the dirt, anchoring him and halting his remaining momentum. Howl feels for the Shard hidden within the deep covering of dark, iridescent black feathers coating his body and takes a deep breath as he draws it out in front of him. ]
Estinien.
[ Howl focuses his mind on the name, saying it deliberately in his inner 'voice', not just to call the man out but to help him locate his distant mind. It's much harder to contact one of the Pleroma, but Howl already knows from experience that it isn't impossible. After a short pause, he continues. ]
I've been looking for you. I'm to keep you busy during all this, you know. [ as blunt as the confession is, Howl's voice is soft and even. ] Where are you?