folklorist | ϡ - Chapter ThirtyNine; In a world without color

[ He awoke behind the town bakery today. Not a scratch or mark on him as he sits up and dusts himself off. There’s no rumble or rain or even left over marks that what had happened had even occurred. But he had died and the feeling never got old. It was...strange to say that he's died more than once, stranger to even think about so calmly. Still it left him with a heavy head and an overbearing tiredness as he lay there. It’s only when he opened his eyes that he’ll gasp with surprise. Everything was gray, white, and black. As if someone had come to Luceti while he was gone and sucked it dry of all its color. He’ll flinch and shy away from the bright sunlight almost as it’s too powerful to withstand. He can barely see a thing like this so a spell to darken his glasses is of the utmost pertinence at the moment. Because he really can’t see at all at the moment and his staggering to his feet and wincing with a hand covering his eyes is clearly indicative of this. Still he’ll manage to get as far as the bakery before taking a small break there and then continuing to the item shop to look for a pair of sunglasses or anything to keep the sun out of his eyes. He finds it more or less easier to see in low light that’s offered by the rooms in these buildings and it’s not as jarring or painful for his eyes.

Sometime after picking up his ingredients for his spell to darken his glasses, and performing said spell in his room, he’ll head home to House 44 and pick up his journal. It’s a short while later that he’ll make a voice transmission over the network. ]

I-I’m so terribly sorry I-I wasn’t here to help this week. If-if anyone needs anything I-I can try to help however p-possible. Why...why hasn’t the town gone back to normal, d-does anyone know? It’s just like that time with the earthquakes.

[ The town is still a mess and he feels almost guilty about not being able to help fix it; though he knows that thought isn’t going to help much and he's being far too hard on himself given what happened. Next he’ll try to filter a message to Rue but it breaks after several tries. And then he realizes that she isn’t here anymore. Rue’s gone…

He’ll head out then to the plaza once more making a small detour to the memory garden to help clean it up and also to plant some flowers for her. After that, as the sun gets lower and evening sets in, Helios will be sitting by the fountain eating some sweets, cookies mostly, and Luminair will be curled up and lightly dozing next to him. He makes all different colored birds of light. Some of them are mockingbirds and maybe even a mockingjay or two, most are just regular sparrows and typical little birds you see flying around and possibly other things too. But none of them are colorful to him and he isn’t even sure what colors they’re turning out to be, but he knows they’ll be beautiful for anyone who stops by to watch or see them. ]

Do you think a memory or a world without color is any different than one with it? Hypothetically speaking if we could only see in shades of gray, black, and white would the memories and world we live in be less potent due to them being less vivid and colorful? Or would it be more uniform and peaceful, or perhaps more dull and dreary? There’s other senses of course to make up for what’s lacking and there are creatures out there that live perfectly happy lives with only seeing in monochromatic shades. Ah, that's what it reminds me of. There's a book...called The Giver in my world that has something similar. A world without color, hm, strange to think about really. [ But it could have been worse. He could have come back worse and he's thankful that he hasn't. He'll get used to it and it's only for four months but it will take...some adjusting. ]

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I know. [ It's said ever so softly. He knows she and others will and he's not sure what he's done to ever desire that. ]

I do enjoy your macaroons. Perhaps you could try making some of those rainbow cookies. [ Hm those were always good and were easy to make too. ]

Rainbow cookies? I know that the batter is light enough for the macarons that they can be dyed any color you would like- is that what you mean?

Ah well. I meant the ones with the layers and the chocolate on top and bottom. You know the layered cake cookies. Red, green and white and raspberry between the layers.

I have never had those before, but they do sound interesting. And quite festive- it will be well worth looking into their recipe.

They're quite delicious. I-I think it's more Italian than anything. I haven't had them in so long though. [ He does miss them now that he thinks about it. ]

I could help with them of course. I believe the trick is to make three separate colored cakes, cut them into little squares, and then put raspberry and chocolate on and between them.

Helios- it takes something out of the surprise, and the gift, if you help with their baking. I am certain I can find how to make them and will be more than happy to prepare them for you. More than most I know here you deserve a rest, and a treat that you did not have to bake yourself.

Oh. Oh yes I suppose you're right. [ A short laugh from him. ] I know they'll come out amazing, Adele. And, um, th-thank you for o-offering to make them for me.

[ He sounds very sincere about this too as he looks away with a small smile on his features. ]

[It's good to hear him laugh. It eases something in her, cements the fact that he's here. He's well, no matter what he might have lost. That they'll be fine.]

Something for you- and something special for Luminair. Though I am not at all certain what sort of treat he would enjoy. What do you think, Soleil?

[ Helios hasn't laughed in a long time and it feels good to genuinely do so. After everything that's happened...it does truly feel nice to do so. ] He's not very picky, are you?

[ Helios will look down at the baby dragon with an affectionate smile. Luminair will just chirp in response his tail wagging excitedly behind him. ] He likes anything really. I'm sure he'd love whatever you had in mind.

I will have to think of something appropriate for him. Chicken hearts perhaps, since he is carnivorous and those are chewy. He would be able to gnaw on them for quite some time, don't you think?

[ Helios pauses to think about that looking back at the little dragon who just stares for a few seconds back at Helios and then gives a small chirp. ]

I think those would actually be perfect for him, Adele.

Ah, that reminds me. Sabriel and I were discussing Luminair and...will he ever learn to speak? I just. Wish to know if I should start watching my language around him.

[ Helios blinks not entirely registering what Adele is saying. He might snort and then actually laugh at the question once it sinks in. ]

Good question. I-I have no idea. Maybe a few words here or there. But I don't think you have to worry about that for awhile.

[ Luminair gives a little quizzical tilt of his head and then a happy chirp. ] He's still far too young for any of that, if it's even at all possible.

I would still rather not him pick up something that I said in anger or frustration and choose it to be one of the words he can remember. It'd be mortifying.

I don't think you have to worry about that. [ A light chuckle still as he thinks about it. Oh dear. Luminair saying something back that'll be something. ] S-Still I suppose it's better to be safe than sorry, hm?

Far, far better to be safe than suffer a baby dragon swearing at random intervals because I could not hold my tongue. Even if he'd manage to make it sound adorable.

[ Helios chuckles only imagining the horror of Luminair cursing. Good lord. ] I-I know. It would be...ah rather bad especially with company.

[ Luminair chirps happily wagging his tail a little as he does so. ]

I will make a point to not swear around him, then. It is bad enough that I do so around Sabriel.

It's not as if you do it on purpose Adele. I-I'm not going to forbid you to do it. B-but I think it's probably for the best to do that, yes.

Never bring him to the clinic, then. Or the battle dome while I am training with Ben. it would be terribly counterproductive.

The battle dome, oh dear, I don't know if I'll ever have to. Maybe to sh-show him his natural home. Maybe the castle as well. A-and I hope I never have to bring him to the clinic.

Were he to ever become ill beyond your understanding it might be better to take him to Hiccup, as he has a dragon of his own.

ϡ - Chapter ThirtyNine; In a world without color

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