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[closed] I'm a rising pisces and a fucked up moon

Who: Wilhelm and pals
When: January and onward
Where: Nocwich, Thorne, etc.
What: Catchall for the foreseeable future (until the right mood lyrics grab me by the throat)
Warnings: Will mark threads as needed

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It's rare that Wilhelm makes the trip to Nocwich without any plans to meet up with a friend. A date with Jesper — though, that aspect of their friendship has now changed — or tea with Wanda, or lunch with Hilda who has a new shade of nail polish to try on him. Everything Oleuni Square has to offer is just more fun with someone else. But today, he just has a little extra money in his purse and a beautiful boy in mind who he's trying to make happy.

He scours the marketplace in search of something suitable for a "just because" gift. Will Kelson think these hair decorations are too feminine? Would he like those tiny pewter figurines, or is Wilhelm just drawn to them because there's a frog among the display?

As he's debating if he should go back to that one stall, he notices a boy slumped against a streetlight at the market's edge. The boy's face is pale and dark bags hang under his eyes. With concern overtaking his countenance, Wilhelm approaches and crouches down in front of him.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Will had gone to Oleuni Square to check once again for any cool medical supplies, any potential substitute for ambrosia or just fun and tasty snacks. He liked to be prepared if another demigod was among the Summoned. Or if his boyfriend was. And he knew kitkats were essential to Nico's mental and physical health. So. Substitute kitkat shopping. Now however? He was slumped against a street lamp clutching an iced caffeinated beverage like it was life itself. Ordinarily, he was a pretty good caffeine addict. Without sunlight? Caffeine as life wasn't it? Anyone else he would have ordered out to rest, but, Will was a giant hypocrite with poor work/life balance and a crappy sense of self worth.

He perks up when the cute boy at one of the stalls came over to him. He may be dying but he wasn't blind. "I've been better honestly." Maybe he should buy some foundation to cover up the wonder bread color his skin gets here? That was a thought! "Nocwich doesn't agree with me. And yet, I keep coming here." He held out a hand to the boy, sipping his life force caffeine with the other. "I'm Will."

The kid looked human. Zits were always a good clue. No immortal being was going to willingly have them. So, his chances of being transformed into a sunflower just dropped to zero. Excellent! Will got a glimpse of acne scars and wondered if he could clear that up. Re-attaching arms? Yes. Acne scars? Who knew?

He's trying to figure out what doesn't agree with me means — allergies? The food? The crowds? Then he's wondering if he's supposed to shake the guy's hand or help him up. Wilhelm starts with the first, reasoning that if Will is unwell, then he should probably stay off his feet. Though, he could probably find him somewhere more comfortable to slump...

"Uh, Wilhelm." His lips twitch with a chuckle at the coincidence. Will, Wilhelm. "Or Wille, if you want to make things confusing."

He throws a glance around the square, as if a clear-cut answer for what the hell to do with this pale, faint boy might pop up.

"Should we...get you something to eat? Or would that make it worse?"

Will laughed at the coincidence. "Which name do you prefer?" He was honestly tempted to go for Wille, because it was always fun when things were confusing. But he'd also call him sparky or pikachu if the guy wanted. He watched the other boy look around, and then look at him, realizing he was probably a lot more worried than he should be. Or at least, than Will was. He tried to make it better.

"Food sounds nice. I think I saw a pastry shop around the corner. I'm fine, really." He wasn't. " My skin hasn't started opening up and bleeding, so we still have time. I haven't seen that many people my age around here, honestly. I'm glad to meet you." Then again, Will's idea of 'fine' was probably pretty skewed after 3 wars fighting against gods, monsters and other demigods. Life was weird. Will sipped the coffee he had like it was life itself, and stood up his full height. He was tall. Taller than Wille, and muscled from years of training and restraining annoyed Ares children.

"I just need sunlight. A friend taught me a light spell but, I honestly don't want to use it and risk hurting anyone in here who....can't be around light." Wasn't that the point of this place? He didn't want to start an international incident because Apollo. That was his life wasn't it? Because Apollo.

Edited (slight addition) 2024-02-11 14:14 (UTC)

Well, the fact that he has the energy to talk this much eases some of Wilhelm's concern. Though, his chattiness could have something to do with the coffee he's gulping down like it's the only thing holding him together. When Will stands, Wilhelm joins him.

"Okay, let's get pastries then."

He'll feel better, at least, if Will eats something. With a little follow me gesture, he starts heading toward the bakery. Having frequented the same shop on past Nocwich jaunts, he knows exactly where it is.

"Wille is fine," he adds with a shrug. Then his expression folds in sympathy as he considers Will's predicament. He knows something about having a spell that you're hesitant to use because you know it will harm someone else as much as it will help you.

"That sucks. So you're like...what, a reverse vampire?"

As far as Will was concerned, it probably was the only thing holding him together. Lacking the regular sunlight his demigod body needed to sustain himself, well, caffeine wasn't the best substitute but it was this demigod's vice of choice. Brought about by years of medical crises with injured and dying teenagers and nymphs, and him. Staying up for days on end ended up being pretty normal for Will. So. Caffeine addiction.

This was the fifth time now that someone else has tried to care for him and you know? It was super weird. Will was used to the caretaker role. He was used to being the one taking care of literally everyone else. Having someone else look out for you too? Nice. It was nice. So he followed his new friend.

Then he let out a laugh, a warm, sunny laugh. "You're the second person to make that comparison. I guess so! I never realized it was going to be as much of a problem until I came here, though." Sure, he had to deal with it while wandering around Tartarus, but. That was kind of a one time deal right?

"So what's your deal, Wille? Having fun pleasing our kidnappers? Or are you living the dream here?" For all he knew he came from a world that was literally on fire, this could be paradise. For Will? Well, he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Nothing was free. And just because the Gods here seemed to be more...distant than the ones back home on Olympus? Well, he was still waiting for someone to order him to fetch some magical socks for them. Everyone wanted something. You just had to figure out what it was, and try and keep everyone alive in the process.

It almost escapes his notice that Will doesn't provide a definitive answer to what he actually is. But Wilhelm supposes it doesn't matter much. Reverse vampire it is — withering in the darkness and sucking down coffee for sustenance.

"My deal?" he repeats. Then he shrugs. "I don't mind it here, honestly. Maybe it's not always easy..."

That's an understatement. Wilhelm has faced some of the steepest challenges of his life in this world. He has been broken and battered, burned and bruised. But he has also come through those challenges stronger than he ever was in his old life.

"But my life is actually mine. I don't have to just do what my parents want all the time."

And that makes it all worth it.

Will actually laughed at that, it was ironic, that statement was one he understood. Probably not exactly what Wilhelm had in mind, but it was definitely something he could relate too.

"I feel a little bit like that, I know what you mean. Here you can be whoever or whatever you want, and no one will hold it against you, or want something from you." Like their dirty magical socks fetched. Because that's what he was good for right?

It wasn't that Will didn't want to tell Wille who or what he was. For all he knew, Apollo didn't exist in Wille's world and it wouldn't matter. At the same time, he'd told others, and it hadn't changed their view of him. But. They had been adults. Would it change Wille if he knew? Or could Will get away with just being a reverse vampire for a while longer? It was the same reason he had asked his boyfriend to take a regular, human taxi cab instead of magical transportation. It was normal.

It had also scared him halfway to death, next time he might be okay with the zombie chauffer instead of a terrifying drive in a new york taxi cab during rush hour.

Wilhelm nods along as Will's words echo his own feelings. He's still figuring out what sort of shape he wants his life to take, but that's just the thing — he has a choice here. Back home, it was a box that he was being shoved into.

"I can't really be mad that Ambrose took me away from all of that," he chuckles.

Though, he still doesn't understand why, out of all the billions of people across countless worlds and universes, he was chosen. Back when he was fresh out of the Summoning pool, he used to worry that someone had made a terrible mistake, that those in power would discover he's totally useless and he, failing their steep expectations, would be punished. Somehow, Wilhelm has done all right for himself. He's a little more than useless.

"Pastries, straight ahead," he announces as they near the bakery window, which showcases an enticing array of loaves and buns and cakes.

Back home, like Wilhelm, Will was used to being told what everyone wanted him to be. No one asked what you wanted to be, and so, Will hadn't really thought about it. He just took it as a given. That was his life. But there were problems with that too, such as not knowing who you were, like going straight to riding a bike without starting with training wheels. But, demigods were like that. Sink or swim. Do or die. Literally.

Will made a beeline for the pasties. He ordered a small cake and looked to Wilhelm to see what he wanted.

"Ambrose, he's the one who summoned you?" Humans can be jackasses too.

Wilhelm picks out something like a doughnut, a fried ball of dough filled with cream and jam. He's not all that hungry, but it smells good in here and he has the funds for unnecessary treats.

"Yeah, he's the High Mage of Thorne. He's in charge of the whole ritual."

It has never occurred to him, until this moment, to wonder who does all the summoning in the other territories. He has only the vaguest idea of what even happens outside of Thorne.

"I still have no idea why he'd want to bring me here, but..." He shrugs slowly. "Here I am."

Nope, absolutely not, Will hands the shopkeeper money before Wilhelm can manage to get it out himself. He barely knows you, but let him take care of you! Will has singlehandedly made taking care of people his entire personality, thanks to years of indoctrination at Camp Half Blood and low self esteem. He ushers them both over to a small sitting area and pulls out a chair for Wilhelm before sitting himself.

"Believe me, I get it. I'm not sure why I'm here either. Of all the people to pull, I'm not sure why they would ever want me. They could get someone with real talent." He bit into the cake and smiled, groaning. Yum, sugar.

Wilhelm feels a little weird about letting Will pay for him when they've known each other for all of fifteen minutes, but the coins have already passed hands. There's nothing to do but thank Will and follow him to the cramped table in the corner.

"Somebody said to me that it could have to do with your potential. What you're capable of now doesn't matter, what matters is what you could be capable of someday."

That inspirational somebody being Lucifer. That doesn't mean it can't be true. Biting into the doughnut, Wilhelm receives a glob of jam dribbling down his chin, which he attempts to lick up.

"Starting to feel a little better?"

Get used to it Wilhelm. Will cared, and that meant he'd care for you whether you wanted it or not. Whether you screamed bloody murder about it or not. Actually, screaming about it was definitely a good way to get his never ending attention. So good job keeping your mouth shut.

He popped another bite of cake in his mouth, savoring the sweetness. It wasn't sunlight, but damn sugar was good. "Yeah, it'll definitely do!"

Will definitely wouldn't have minded if it was Lucifer. Now that he'd gotten over his knee jerk reaction. "I still think they got the wrong guy. Unless they're desperate for someone who's an ace at really bad whistles. And I really don't see anyone here needed an arm reattached. Maybe they were trying for another Will Solace and got mixed up."

Wilhelm is not opposed to receiving attention — not this kind of attention, anyway, that involves the care of a friend rather than the scrutiny of strangers. It just surprises him, especially when it comes on so fast and forcefully. But it's nice. Will is easy to like, all sunshine in spite of his sickly demeanor.

"I'm sure you'll find something to do. Hey, even I've found a way to make myself useful."

He laughs into another bite of doughnut. For all his shortcomings, which he feels like nails scraping under his skin, he knows that he's come a long way since he first arrived. In those early days, he could never imagine feeling anything but out of place and in over his head.

"Dude, you know how to reattach limbs?" His eyebrows pop up. "That's...amazing."

Some might also argue Will was like mold or an antibiotic resistant infection. He grew forcefully and was really hard to get rid of. But let's go with the sunshine metaphors instead.

"Oh I can absolutely find a way to make myself useful. I know that. I'm good at what I'm able to do. But in comparison to....even just my other siblings? These guys could have taken someone with real ability. I'm just....the cleanup crew. I bandage people up so they can get back out in a fight. I know I'm the last ditch effort between life and death for some people and that's important. Really important. But,"

Will stopped, trying to figure out how to explain himself and justify his severe lack of self confidence, and took another bite of sweet to fortify himself without the sunshine to sustain him. " I'm not good at anything else. Or anything more useful. I'm an Apollo kid who can't play a musical instrument, who can't shoot a bow....."

Wilhelm is an expert in being the less talented, more disappointing son. In everything from sports to music, academics to behavior, he was always compared to Erik, long before he inherited his brother's title. It wasn't just his parents' criticism that stuck like splinters under his skin, but the careless remarks they dropped too. Oh, Erik always loved his piano lessons. He plays so beautifully now, don't you think? Everything seemed to translate to Why can't you be more like your brother? Even the media loved to play up their differences, the responsible future king and his trouble-maker little brother.

So, yeah, he has nothing but sympathy for Will, who seems to focus on the things he can't do instead of the things he can. (Wilhelm knows something about that too.)

"Attaching limbs sounds pretty damn useful to me." The doughnut is quickly disappearing, leaving behind smudges of sugar on his fingers. "When I got here, I didn't know shit about magic. I couldn't defend myself at all. If it makes you feel any better, I'm a shitty pianist and cellist too."

Edited 2024-03-25 20:59 (UTC)

Will's powers definitely weren't showy. Not like Kayla who would be Olympic material as soon as she hit age, or Austin who got an obscene amount of views on a jazz video. Like. Jazz. Will? Sure, he was head medic and Head Counselor, but, really, that was only because he had terrible luck and all his older siblings were dead. Will and Wilhelm had a lot in common.

"I suppose to the person who lost the limb, yeah." Will finished off his cake as well. He was still working through some things on his own, which would probably be a lot easier with the help of a friend. Was he going to talk to Wilhelm about it? Maybe sometime in the future. When he figured out a way to broach the terrifying reality of what he had learned about himself.

"That does make me feel better, thank you. Both my parents are musicians and yet.....I can whistle!" Self deprecating, Will?

Will looks much better than he did when Wilhelm first found him. At least he doesn't look like he's ten seconds away from passing out anymore. Wilhelm grins at him across the table.

"Put us together and we could make, like, the worst song of all time," he jokes, hoping to keep his new friend in a good mood. He's spent a lot of time feeling like a failure, listening to all the critical voices in his head while comparing himself to everyone around him. Will shouldn't have to endure all of that.

Will was always in a good mood. Usually. He really wasn't one to sulk, even when talking about how useless he was in comparison to his siblings. Wilhelm would know when Will wasn't in a good mood. Usually, it resulted in him using his drill sergeant voice. Will had once been compared to a dent resistant car. He just kept popping back into place no matter how bad the crash. At least, on the outside.

So, he laughed at the boy's joke. "We could put on a show for all of Nocwich. I'm sure their ears wouldn't be bleeding at all!"

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