[ Barnaby's head of curly blond hair is what draws Howl's attention away from his stack of books, and at first, his brain misidentifies him as a young woman. He watches the "lady" move around the library from between the gaps in the shelves, and the longer he watches, the more it starts to dawn on him that this ... may be a man. Their clothing suggests that, at least, but Howl can't help but feel a bit jealous of that straw-colored mane of theirs and wonder if it could really belong to a man.
Eventually, the person wanders towards the group of reading tables that Howl is settled in, and that's when he sees that his suspicions were true. Welp. A mistake anyone could have made, surely.
More importantly, now that the man has drawn near, Howl can see the peculiar subject matter of his research and the high, expensive quality clothing he's wearing. The books are especially relevant to the ordeal they'd just been through. And his attire is exactly the sort of high Achamoth style that the servants tend to bring to the Aions to wear. These observations quickly override any embarrassment he might be feeling from misjudging his gender; the fact that this could be one of the new Aions he hasn't met yet is much more commanding of his attention. Sure, he doesn't see a Shard on his person, but it could be covered much like Howl's is.
Howl watches him during the time that follows, glancing up from his book every few minutes to try to keep himself inconspicuous. And possibly failing. Definitely failing, actually, when eventually their eyes meet. If the other man hadn't noticed him before then, he does now.
The blond wizard gives him a coy, mysterious smile. Hello, friend; yes, he was watching. Then he hooks a finger under the neckline of his shirt and pulls down to flash him a glimpse of his Shard. That will serve as an interesting icebreaker, whether he's another Aion or not. ]
2-ish/wildcard
Eventually, the person wanders towards the group of reading tables that Howl is settled in, and that's when he sees that his suspicions were true. Welp. A mistake anyone could have made, surely.
More importantly, now that the man has drawn near, Howl can see the peculiar subject matter of his research and the high, expensive quality clothing he's wearing. The books are especially relevant to the ordeal they'd just been through. And his attire is exactly the sort of high Achamoth style that the servants tend to bring to the Aions to wear. These observations quickly override any embarrassment he might be feeling from misjudging his gender; the fact that this could be one of the new Aions he hasn't met yet is much more commanding of his attention. Sure, he doesn't see a Shard on his person, but it could be covered much like Howl's is.
Howl watches him during the time that follows, glancing up from his book every few minutes to try to keep himself inconspicuous. And possibly failing. Definitely failing, actually, when eventually their eyes meet. If the other man hadn't noticed him before then, he does now.
The blond wizard gives him a coy, mysterious smile. Hello, friend; yes, he was watching. Then he hooks a finger under the neckline of his shirt and pulls down to flash him a glimpse of his Shard. That will serve as an interesting icebreaker, whether he's another Aion or not. ]