August 14, 1895 — Crowdy Memorial, London

London was too loud. Compared to the relative quiet of Joseon, the industrious hustle and bustle of this major city was enough to drive Jin into a mood on the worst of days. He couldn’t imagine Abeoji himself liked it very much, and perhaps that was why they’d settled in such a northern point of the isle, but then again— Jin didn’t even want to begin to guess what Abeoji did and didn’t like. It was too fine a line towards thinking him human.

Crowdy Memorial Library, on the other hand, seemed like exactly the respite Jin needed as the tall brunette ducked inside. It was entirely different than what he’d expected. (As everything in Britain seemed to be.) Endless rows of books on books stretched in every direction and so high up into the ceiling he couldn’t even see anymore. Second and third floor balconies overlooked some of the shelves and little rooms and desks populated various locals. Jin made his way into the first of these stacks with no particular concern for the organization system or topic. He ran his hand along the many spines and marveled at the fact that there could be so many books. And in English too.

(If he wondered idly that there might be some in Joseoneo, he didn’t let the thought take too much root.)

Instead, Jin began to walk the isles. He pulled a book or two each time something of interest sparked and soon enough, he had a small tower tailing him. It was teetering at the limits of his wandless magic, but as usual— Jin didn’t know where his wand was so he’d have to make due with carrying the rest. It was an excellent way to pass the time in that zoo of a house that had no library of its own.

Jin turned down another passage and laid claim to a small, empty desk for his pile. He stacked two more books onto it— one particularly interesting on the nature of alcohols in Britain so he could try and get his bearings. Then, with a satisfied nod, he wondered how one went about taking these home.

A sudden scream from the next isle over made Jin jump. He didn’t understand everything that was said between the tone and rapidity of the shrieking, but it would appear someone had received a particularly noisy owl. Oh goodness. He hoped to never get one of those in public…

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- open -
Jin needs friends!
muse song

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* 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.

The past several weeks of work since the news had broken had been intolerable. Particularly as Percy had never asked or aimed for this position. His moral and person position on the matter was so against what most were that he was often left in a surly mood. One that Anna and the children certainly shouldn't have to deal with. So after the grueling hours of work Percy had once again taken to haunting the Crowdy Library rather than flooing home to Irvingly.

It was here that he found peace and quiet. Few people bothered him in this remote corner. There were no social spots beyond a table tucked into the stacks, and no view out the windows to entice anyone. In other words, it was perfect for Percy's purposes. He did occasionally see Mrs. Kirke but that thankfully was no longer awkward as it had been during the first years of her (and subsequently his) marriage.

And so it was here, sitting in a hard wooden chair, that Percy found himself reading the newest novel. Honestly he didn't even know who had written it. He'd simply picked up from the shelves on his way back here and opened it up. Better to have no preconceived notions these days, he figured. Around him he could occasionally hear someone moving but often it was nothing to draw his attention. That was until two things happened at the same time.

First, a gentleman with a large stack of books set them on the table next to his. Second, a scream from the other side of the stacks.

He was, Percy determined, never going to find peace again. The scream turned into shrill yelling, the flap of wings adding to the cacophony, which then was greeted with loud hushing voices and a fluster of activity. Percy made eye contact with the gentleman who had just entered his small section of the library. "I shouldn't like to be them." He said, because it seemed the sort of thing one couldn't not comment on in such circumstances.

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   Seojin Jeong

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Pretties from Lady <3

Jin hadn’t realized there was anyone else in the isle with him until a man spoke up from a table just beside. They shared a look and Jin felt a wave of second-hand embarrassment wash over him for the individual in the next isle over. “Yes,” he responded. “They must not have worked hard enough at something.”

It was a very presumptuous statement, but one that felt appropriate to give the stranger the benefit of the doubt. One would think working harder at something might prevent one from finding themself screamed at— or at least Jin had always found it to be so. The translation didn’t quite resonate though, even to his ears. He gave the man a bit of a shrug. It was neither of their business anyway.

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Percival Adlard & muse song
yay friend!

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* 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.

Percy's brow furrowed slightly. He had been speaking of the mortification of receiving howler in the mail. And yet this man had leapt further forward than that. "Ah. I suppose. Although," He clearly his throat slightly, "It is unfortunate to receive such a missive in a location such as this." There were worse places to receive one, he was sure. For instance at work - in the middle of the office.

Deciding to change the subject since he felt awkward and it would be rude to drop the conversation now that he'd begun one (he should have kept his head down and stuck in his book, quite frankly), he nodded at the man's pile of books. "Research?" It was usually the only time he saw someone with a large pile of books here in the library.

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Pretties from Lady <3

Jin felt his cheeks pinken at the man’s response. Perhaps something had been lost in translation there; he didn’t press it. Instead, he endeavored to return to his own pile and begin assessment of what was to be done to take these home, when the man spoke again. “Oh, no,” Jin corrected, softly. He was no scholar doing official research, but— well, perhaps personal.

“Well… maybe,” the hint of a smile danced across his face.

“My family and I are new to Britain,” he explained. “I suppose there is a lot I’m yet curious about.” Jin eyed the book on alcohols. It felt stupid to admit as much aloud but he was sure he’d learn the names and potencies soon. It was for self-preservation at this point!

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Percival Adlard & muse song

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* 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.

The man seemed flustered. Percy could relate. He was not much for speaking strangers. It had been easier since he'd met Anna, but he still felt rather less at ease when endeavoring to communicate outside those he knew. Quin always said he looked angry when he was that way, but Percy knew better. He just didn't want to speak to anyone. Apparently a scowl kept them away.

"Ah. What are you curious about?" Facts. Those were a comfortable place for him to speak. Nothing personal or judgmental, just question he could easily answer. Or at least he could send him in the direction of a book that might help him. That stack of books looked overwhelming and would likely leave the man feeling more confused than when he had begun.

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Pretties from Lady <3

Jin should have known the inevitable question was coming and prepared for it a bit better. There were so many things he was curious about and that he wanted to know— but asking, especially someone he didn’t know in the society he was meant to impress — seemed like such a risky move. Societal movements and hierarchies, family names and alliances, the taboos and faux pas of British society— all of it seemed a little too personal for him to ask. (It was why he’d selected so many books on etiquette that probably were meant more for women than men, but when in Britain.) That really only left Jin with his most burning curiosity.

“Well, actually, I’ve been struggling a bit to comprehend… your drinks.” It felt so incredibly stupid to admit aloud, and his cheeks burnt a bit, but Jin ploughed through. “They are rather a bit stronger than that which I am accustomed too and, well…” he trailed off, embarrassed. He didn’t want to admit that drinking at balls was starting to make him anxious or that he had the tolerance of a grasshopper. That was too personal.

Spirits above, he was starting to hope this was a person he'd never have to see again. He was making the worst, possible, impression.

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Percival Adlard & muse song

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* 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.

Well that certainly was not the response he had expected. Drinks? the man continued speaking and Percy realized he must be talking about alcohol.

"You don't have spirits in your homeland?" Percy had always held the perception that humanity would always find a way to get drunk.

  

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Pretties from Lady <3

At the man’s assumption, Jin frowned slightly. Of course we do, he wanted to say but that seemed— rude, almost. So instead, he schooled his features and shook his head. “We do, but they’re a bit more straightforward than yours. At least in my experience,” which, fair enough, he was not all that worldly to begin with. Jin was not keen on substances of any kind and so he hadn’t experimented much back in Joseon. His limited experience had been mostly with various types of rice wine or medicinal liquors, like Bokbunja-ju.

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Percival Adlard & muse song

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* 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.