tried_fire | IC Inbox

hey magic man
where are you
i got something you're gonna love

[ he's unabashedly excited about getting a scroll from Goodwill, don't look at him. ]

I'm at home. Reading.
What did you get?

[it's either something he'll actually like, or something Molly will find hilarious to hand to him. either way, he can't deny he's curious.]

caleb my sweet darling caleb
i've got no idea where you live i had no idea that you had a home

[ it shouldn't surprise him but it does. ]

the same place I got Frumpkin from

You never asked, did you? ...I have an apartment, since I'm staying in the city for now. It isn't much, but it's a place to keep my books.

[It's tempting to make Molly actually ask for the address directly, but after a moment's consideration, he relents and adds it to the message of his own accord.]

That's a where, not a what.

didn't think about it
don't go anywhere i'll be there shortly

[ he'd beg if he had too, but that wouldn't be nearly as fun as him begging for other reasons. ]

where what they're basically the same word [ not they aren't, Molly. ]
it's a surprise :)

I'll be here.

[He's not interested in making Molly beg, he just wants to communicate more clearly.]

You are always full of surprises.

you love it

[ it's roughly ten minutes after the last text is sent that Molly arrives at Caleb's apartment door, practically bouncing on his heels as he raps his knuckles against it once, twice, three times. he should've gone to the bathhouse again before coming here, he thinks idly, let the waters ease the veritable fire that has been set under his skin. it'll be fine, he'll be fine, he has put up with worse.

what's important is handing over the fun little surprise he found in the Goodwill today. this surprise he is certain the wizard will love with his interest in magic and spells and all that good stuff. and maybe, just maybe, he can pick the man's brain a little about some of that stuff considering the skills he recently came into. ]

Caleb~!

[ the memory of Jester is strong with him today as well, the way he calls out the wizard's name more than a little familiar in it's singsong nature. ]

[He wasn't really expecting to entertain guests today. He was contentedly curled up with a book, Daisy playing with some toys on the floor near the couch.

But he can't really say no to Molly. He doesn't want to, and even if he did, he has a feeling he'd have to work to make it stick and not just end up with a concerned guest instead of an unexpected one.

So he'll shuffle over to the door in his stocking feet when the knock comes, and smile at the person standing on the other side.]

Hallo, Molly. Won't you come in?

[It's clearly a new arrangement: he has one armchair, a couch, a dining table and a couple of chairs, one solitary bookshelf that's only half full, a cat tree in the corner, all inexpensive and unweathered by time. The cheap carpet is newly-replaced and the landlord-white walls haven't yet had time to acquire any stains or damage. Eventually he'll acquire more things, but for now he seems barely settled into place.]

Would you like something to drink? I'm afraid I haven't much to entertain with.

[Daisy the Litleo abandons the sparkly pom-pom she's been batting around the floor to chirp happily at the sight of Molly and rub her flank against his shin.]

[ who is he to judge considering the poor state of his own apartment? bare-boned saved for a couch and the kitchen table. but something about the minimalist nature of it is very Caleb. he practically bounces inside, glancing over it all before his gaze falls on Daisy who he quickly scoops up into his arms as she rubs against his shin. ]

Hello there, little one. [ with a nuzzle and a kiss to the top of the creature's head he releases her back down, straightening up to regard Caleb properly. ] Maybe later, first thing is first. Catch.

[ Molly pulls a scroll from his coat and tosses it at Caleb lightly, fully expecting the man be able to catch it before it hits the ground. should he do so he will open to find the familiar scribblings of a spell scroll, filled with the bizzare runes and what not that someone like Mollymauk could never dream to read. he recognizes it was wizard nonsense, at the very least, which is exactly why he snatched it up the moment he laid eyes on it.

little does Mollymauk know that the spell itself is... misspelled and what would have been a Prismatic Spray scroll is instead Prismatic Lay. ]

[Although surprised, he catches the scroll with only a little fumbling (12). He can't help but instantly recognize what it is the moment his hand touches the rolled parchment, an object far too familiar by weight and texture to be anything else.]

...Where could you have found this?

[It's more an expression of shock that such things are available for the finding than an actual question, since Molly did tell him earlier. He's genuinely touched that Molly found a spell scroll somewhere and immediately brought it to him.

And then he unscrolls it. The handwriting on the runes is quite frankly terrible, so it takes a little bit for the nature of the contents to sink in. As understanding dawns, he slowly begins to turn redder and redder.]

Mollymauk Tealeaf.

[It's affectionate exasperation in his tone and not actual irritation, at least. Molly has always been a blatant and shameless flirt, but this is on the excessive side. No doubt it's what Caleb gets for encouraging him.]

[ his own magic isn't of the arcane variety, so what use would he have for a spell scroll? it makes sense to give it to the best, and only, wizard he knows. besides he likes treating the people dear to him, enjoys giving them little things that make their eyes light up. and he had given himself the mission of ridding Caleb of that sad look he keeps seeing in those beautiful baby blues.

so it's a surprise when instead of the light he was hoping to see, Caleb instead start turning redder and redder. ]

Hmm?

[ for once, Mollymauk Tealeaf is completely innocent in this despite all the evidence that may say otherwise. he blinks a rapidly a few times, confusion seeping into the edges of his cheery expression. he hadn't spared anymore than a quick glance at the time before he snatched it up, recognizing as one of those spell scrolls he faintly remembers Caleb coveting so much. he barely remembers what the scroll had been listed as, assuming it had to be some sort of magical gobberty gook that he didn't understand. reading, much like in his past life, isn't exactly he strongest suit. he can read, to a point, but he often chooses not to. too much effort. ]

What's wrong? Is it not a spell scroll? Did that bastard at the Goodwill rip me off?

Edited (HTMLLLL) 2025-08-17 02:56 (UTC)

[Molly's confusion is unexpected. Caleb looks back at him, and the blush starts to fade as he realizes that it's genuine. If this was a prank, he'd be laughing already; if it was a particularly blatant flirtation, he'd be laughing at Caleb's response and wiggling his eyebrows or getting into his space.

Instead he's...confused. He really didn't know. ...So it's Caleb who starts to laugh, bright and sincere, at the absurd coincidence of the situation, and poor Mollymauk's innocent mistake.]

No...No, it's a spell scroll, after a fashion. [The blush starts to creep back in as he realizes that he is now going to have to explain this out loud.] I, ah...I think it was meant to be a scroll for Prismatic Spray, but...whoever wrote it down has terrible handwriting.

[He points out a line near the top.] ...This here says "Prismatic Lay". I hesitate to guess what it would actually do when cast.

[And surely Molly can understand why he thought it was on purpose.]

[ he's already plotting ways to get back at the bastard at the Goodwill when Caleb starts to laugh and Molly just stops. confusion gives way to a look of awe, as if the sound of his friend's laughter is the most valuable and precious thing in this entire world. it is, to Mollymauk, and he casts asides all his intentions to get back at the Goodwill clerk.

gods, he loves this sound. he loves it so damn much.

Molly cocks his head to the side, blinking rapidly before squinting at the line Caleb points out. yeah... he can't make heads or tails of any of it, the horrible handwriting in combination with his limited reading ability just makes it all look like nonsensical scribbles. ]

Oh, [ but he trusts Caleb and the wizard's reaction to the scroll tells him that; yes, indeed, the words are written terribly upon it are indeed 'Prismatic Lay'. no wonder the man turned as red as a tomato. ] Oh. [ he laughs less than a second later, shifting his way from one foot to the other as his tail twitches behind him. doesn't he look like a god damn fool now? ]

Look, Caleb, I won't lie to you and say I haven't thought about it. [ he has, both in this life and the last. ] You're incredibly sexy despite your every insistence otherwise, but it wasn't my intention I promise you.

[ Molly looks off to the side, curling a little in on himself. ]

I, uh... I'm not really good at reading. It looked wizardy so I thought it'd be be something you would like.

[The first confession cannot possibly be a surprise, of course: Molly has been flirting with him since their first meeting, and he knows just how free Molly is with his affections. Enviably so, even. But now it's out in the open, and he deserves an honest response. Caleb has already decided he's interested, it's just...too soon yet.]

You're not so bad yourself, Circus Man. [His smile is soft, his eyebrows a little worried but there's a playful sparkle in his eyes despite it.] ...I'm not as guarded as you remember, but I still...don't find it easy to let people close. [He purses his lips.] And on the other hand, I don't let go easily once I have. So...I'm afraid I'm going to continue to ask for your patience. [It's very much not a 'no'.]

I know it's a cliché to say "it's the thought that counts", but truly, I'm happy you thought of me. Even if it's not as useful as you hoped. [He hesitates before approaching the next idea he has. Is it too much? Would Molly be insulted, or hurt, by an offer of help, see it as an implication that he's not enough as he is? ...But the image of success is warm enough to push him onward, and he takes a step closer to Molly as well.] ...If you'd like, I could try to help you fill in the gaps your education left.

[ did Caleb just... reciprocate his flirt? did he just flirt back? for a good moment Molly feels like the air has been knocked from his lungs, feels himself growing warmer than he already is. not that he has been worried about rejection, truthfully if Caleb rejected him outright he would have been okay, part of Molly has been prepared for that since the very beginning.

(it would have hurt, but he would have survived. gone on like he always has.)

his finger twitch at his side as he fights back the desire to take hold of Caleb's head and kiss away the worry from his expression. ]

I'm a patient man when I want to be. [ he wiggles his eyebrows a little, his stance relaxing. ] And before you worry about something stupid like scaring me off for holding on too tight or something like that, you won't.

[ if anything the only person who could scare Molly off is Molly himself, nothing Caleb could say or do could cause him to turn tail and run.

he breathes out red eyes flicking to Caleb as the man goes on, relief flooding his chest in the knowing that his gift wasn't a complete and utter failure. regardless of the misunderstanding and the fact Mollymauk didn't think to try and read, the gift is still brought him some level of happiness. ]

...Actually, I was hoping I could ask your help with a couple of things. [ reading hadn't been apart of the plan originally but he won't turn down Caleb's help. ] I've, uh, fallen into some... magic? I guess? And magic that isn't connected to my blood isn't my forte. [ to help prove his point Molly holds a hand out in front of himself brow furrowing as he tries to focus on... something. a flame? a light? he doesn't know, he just tries to dig into that well of arcane power he found himself with and pull out whatever the hell he can.

which happened to be a small burst of orange and purple fireworks the size of a golfball. ]

[He just needs time. Time to get used to having things he never thought he'd have, time to settle in and trust that it's all real. Time to get to know the Molly in front of him instead of just constantly falling back on both their memories of the people they were in another life.

He's already making plans in his head - he has some ideas for ways to keep Molly's interest in books even at a simple reading level - when Molly pulls out a burst of fireworks. His eyes light up immediately.]

So you also have fire magic! And I take it this is a recent development.

[He'll hold out his own hand, palm-up, and create a small orb of fire in his palm. With a little focus, he makes it roll back and forth over his fingers before dispersing it.]

...Less surprising, I'm sure, since it was also an affinity I had in my last life. But here, the rules of these things are less...rigid. We can learn some things from one another, mostly about control and focus, but everyone's abilities manifest differently. A great deal depends on the wielder's intent and will - there's no copying a scroll into a spellbook in this life, I'm afraid.

[ good gods, the way his eyes light up is just... infectious. the creeping tension that had been building in his shoulders eases at the look, relieved that the little display didn't trigger any sort of negative reaction. ]

Very recent.

[ the relief spreads through the rest of his limbs while he watches the man create a small orb of fire in his palm, a for more impressive feat than Molly's attempt to make colored sparks. he had intended his own display to a little more impressive, but well... ]

Love, I've never cast a spell a day in my life. I know how to use my own blood to curse a man blind, or coat my swords in ice so sharp it can rip through flesh, but this? [ he tries to create a small orb of fire in his own palm but only manages little more than a tiny flame. ] This is all new to me, I don't know how to get it to do what I want.

[ a little frustrated he clamps his hand shut, snuff out the flame and running his hand through his hair. ]

You're good at stuff like this. So some private lessons should work wonders, don't you think?

[He hears that tone you're using, Molly, and he'll raise his eyebrows at it. But...

...but he doesn't actually want it to stop. He doesn't want to make Molly feel like he has to try to be less himself, ridiculous flirtation and all. And most importantly, Molly's proved that he won't actually cross boundaries even if he's given the opportunity. So...acknowledge it, let it go by, and don't do anything to discourage it.]

I'm not really sure it's helpful to think of it as "spells", to be honest. I can only say with certainty that I know one "spell" exactly as we knew them back then. [He makes a practiced gesture in the air, and the four familiar little globules of Dancing Lights pop into existence. Three of them move to illuminate points in the room, and one floats toward the floor, just out of Daisy's reach, encouraging her to leap for it.]

I can do many of the same things now that I could do then, but I have to focus, to visualize the exact effect that I want. I'd be more than happy to teach you based on my own experiences and what I can do, however. [He smiles wryly.] Most people get the ability to conjure flames before fireworks, but I really can't be surprised that you've taken the showman's route.

[ the flirting, in part, helps with... everything. helps distract him from the niggling fears that come for him the dark of night, the worries that stir the urge to run. but if Caleb wanted him to stop, he would. the last thing he wants is to make his friend uncomfortable, or feel as though he has to respond to Molly's ridiculous antics.

Molly watches Caleb gesture in the air, watches the familiar lights pop into existence and float about to where the wizard directs them. maybe that is part of his problem? that he thinking about his new found abilities like they are some sort of wizard spell. ]

It's not like I chose the fireworks, love. [ he sticks his forked tongue out briefly. ] But I'd be happy to take whatever knowledge you are willing to give to me. If I try to figure it out on my own I'm certain I'll do something stupid and burn down my apartment and that would be just terrible. I'd hate for all Lycaon and Hugo's efforts to go to waste all because I couldn't control my new sparkle fingers.

Oh, no, people generally don't. [He beams playfully back at Molly.] Nonetheless, as often as not there's some sort of rhyme or reason to be found in which abilities show up when. It's too much anthropomorphizing to claim that the ley lines have a sense of humor, but it would be easy to get that impression.

[He winces a little at the mental image conjured up by Molly's words.] Yes, until we've confirmed the limits of what you can do and you have consistent control, fire magic lessons will be an outdoor activity, for the sake of everyone's living spaces. I wouldn't usually do more than what I've showed you tonight indoors, and I've been doing this half my life.

[But actually...] ...Do those two have some responsibility in your current living arrangement?

Has anyone ever told you that you're really hot when you start using big words like that? [ he thinks he gets the gist of what Caleb's saying, but he finds himself thrown for a loop the second "anthropomorphizing" hit his ears. ] Yeah, I would also think the ley lines or Fate or what have you has a sense of humor.

[ he only realizes too late the mistake, expression quick to turn apologetic as he talks. poor wording, very poor wording, terrible wording in fact now that he knows what he knows about his friend. good job idiot. ]

It's less of a responsibility and more... [ Molly waves a hand about in the air searching for the right word. ] Hugo has a key and by extension so does Lycaon, and I'm pretty sure Hug was looking at beds during that breakfast. I was think about livening up the place now that I decided to stay, but I'm pretty sure they're going to beat me too it.

Big words like...? [He tilts his head, and then his eyes widen with realization.] Ah, I suppose I got too warmed up to my subject. It means to think of something as if it's a human, or has human traits, when it does not. Like saying that a storm is angry, or referring to a computer as having wants. Magic as a force in the world does not act with any sort of intent as far as we've been able to see.

[It seems that, having made his decision about how to respond, he is now adapted to just ignoring Molly's flirting unless he actually feels like answering it. At least for the time being.

'Hugo has a key and by extension so does Lycaon' is such a telling sentence.] Those two are really an interesting pair of people, aren't they? ...I don't mean that in a bad way by any means, I simply...can't quite fathom them just yet.

[ there he goes ago again. Molly can't help but smile fondly, giving some weight to his previous words. he really does find it attractive when Caleb starts talking like this, animated and excited over a subject he's clearly interested in. even though majority of it flies directly over Molly's head. ]

Look at you, already teaching me new things.

[ absently he reaches up to poke at once of the Dancing Lights, tail gently swaying from side to side. ]

That's one way to put it, yeah. [ that fond expression finds him again, claw tapping at the globule of light. ] They're busybodies they are but it's kinda nice. Letting people in again and letting them care, that is.

Ah, I've been told I do too much explaining. Some people think it's condescending.

[He really doesn't mean to be. He's just honestly interested in trying to share his view of the world.

Watching Molly poke at the light makes him smile, and with a subtle gesture he makes it move around a little, bobbing back and forth in response to the poking like an inquisitive firefly.]

Then I'm glad you've had people to care about you. [It sounds like that's something he's not really used to having, and that hurts to think about. For Molly, or for anyone.]

Some people are idiots who wouldn't know a good thing if it hit them in the ass. I like listening to you explain things, I like watching you too. The more interested in the subject you are the brighter you get talking about it.

[ he likes this version of Caleb who can do that, who isn't looking over his shoulder every five seconds and jumping at every shadow. he could happily listen to the man go on and on about whatever the hell he wanted to, be it a smutty book he came across or the intricate relationship between the different magical elements.

Molly tail twitches, eyes widening a little to track the bobbing light. logically he knows it's Caleb's doing, but Molly reaches to bap at the light in a manner not unlike Daisy. ]

What about you? Aside from me, obviously, you've got people who care about you, don't you? [ his eyes move for the light back to Caleb, worry furrowing his brow just a little. ]

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