The fact that Ahn-Bo-ah barely reacted to the clunk in the head was already a warning. Jin knew this, and yet he plowed on as if his fabricated anger might in any way regulate things to a sense of normal between them. Ahn-Bo-ah was here, alive and in person, and he was listening— but the look on his face remained blank and impassive. The only indication that there was any soul inside that shell of a body at all was the almost instinctive wrap of his arms around Jin’s waist. The little vampire relaxed into it slightly, letting himself lean against the still taller but much less full-bodied looking— wolf... now. (The thought pinched against every fibre of Jin’s being in denial; he couldn’t be a wolf. Not a real one. And yet the reality remained.)
Four little words fluttered from his friend’s mouth and Jin laughed softly in dismissal. He’d expected as much, and honestly the protest was a lot less volatile than he’d been prepared for. This was good news. They could deal with that part later. Waving his hand slightly, Jin tried for a smile amidst the chaos still waging war on his emotions. “Araso,” he responded. “But I am anyway.” Jin tugged gently on the fabric of Ann-Bo’s thin attire and frowned. “Can I at least help you clean up and then we can talk about it?”
His voice was earnest and hopeful, even though deep down he was still prepared for resistance. There was so much he had to say and explain, but he didn’t want to do it right here, right now, like this. Ahn-Bo-ah looked (and smelled, frankly) like he hadn’t bathed in days, and his clothes were much too thin for the still frosty weather of the evenings. Jin had brought soap for that and a few extra layers that he hoped would fit alright. He hadn’t exactly been able to run into town so he’d made do with whatever he could find. The cook was about Ahn-Bo-ah’s size, maybe a little bigger even, so it should work. He hoped.
Golden-green eyes flickered back up to brown and Jin felt his stomach pinch. He couldn’t help it as he reached up to brush the mess of hair out of Ahn-Bo’s face and his thumb lingered, just lightly, over his friend’s perfectly porcelain cheek. It was dirty and he looked hollowed out, but it was still Ahn-Bo. And from close range, Jin could still see the ghosting of freckles that existed there even if they were lighter and faded from not being in the sun as much.
Four little words fluttered from his friend’s mouth and Jin laughed softly in dismissal. He’d expected as much, and honestly the protest was a lot less volatile than he’d been prepared for. This was good news. They could deal with that part later. Waving his hand slightly, Jin tried for a smile amidst the chaos still waging war on his emotions. “Araso,” he responded. “But I am anyway.” Jin tugged gently on the fabric of Ann-Bo’s thin attire and frowned. “Can I at least help you clean up and then we can talk about it?”
His voice was earnest and hopeful, even though deep down he was still prepared for resistance. There was so much he had to say and explain, but he didn’t want to do it right here, right now, like this. Ahn-Bo-ah looked (and smelled, frankly) like he hadn’t bathed in days, and his clothes were much too thin for the still frosty weather of the evenings. Jin had brought soap for that and a few extra layers that he hoped would fit alright. He hadn’t exactly been able to run into town so he’d made do with whatever he could find. The cook was about Ahn-Bo-ah’s size, maybe a little bigger even, so it should work. He hoped.
Golden-green eyes flickered back up to brown and Jin felt his stomach pinch. He couldn’t help it as he reached up to brush the mess of hair out of Ahn-Bo’s face and his thumb lingered, just lightly, over his friend’s perfectly porcelain cheek. It was dirty and he looked hollowed out, but it was still Ahn-Bo. And from close range, Jin could still see the ghosting of freckles that existed there even if they were lighter and faded from not being in the sun as much.
![[Image: HjIYkam.png]](https://i.imgur.com/HjIYkam.png)
* Jin takes potions and enchantments at times to give his voice a persuasive quality.
His performances, or even a simple conversation, can sometimes suggest thoughts
and ideas to his audiences.