ϡ - Chapter Forty; In memoriam nos durabimus

[folklorist]

[ After the weeks Helios has had prior to being possessed by Apep he’s taken some time out to think, be alone, cope with what has happened. He’s kept himself pretty much isolated the entire week only going out when necessary. But after all the support and help he’s had to give, thanks to the Kin’coran’s, his initial idea of isolating himself wasn’t working. So, instead, he coped and is still coping as he tries his hardest to make it up to the people he’s hurt. He spent several hours thinking on how to make it up to people and how to possibly convey his gratitude but nothing ever seemed good enough to really add up to everything. But sweets…that could be a start couldn’t it? All this baking also helps keep his mind from wandering too much today. So today on the 10th every sort of baked good you could think of will be set outside in the town square by the fountain. Cupcakes, cookies and a few pies. Luminair is enjoying the sun and walking up to people to grab their attention by pulling on their pant legs or chirping at their heels for them to follow and take some nice tasty sweets. Helios will also have refreshments out as well they’re all ice cold despite the sun and heat. It’s only when he’s settled back into his seat that he’ll make a short little announcement over the journals. ]

I-I’d like to, um, welcome all the new f-feathers that just arrived. It’s a bit startling but, we try to make everyone feel as welcomed as possible. If you have any questions most people are more than willing to answer. There's also the W-Welcome Center that can help you get a-adjusted with things too.

[ A pause. ]

Um, I’d like to also say that-that there’s some freshly baked s-sweets for everyone to take. They're out-outside by the fountain, y-you can't miss it. If-if you want any delivered that c-can be arranged too. Ah and lastly, f-for anyone interested, there’s a book club held at the library every last Sunday of the month. I’d also like to ask if a-anyone would be, um, willing to help with a little project in regards to the club. It has to do with the battle dome, but I’m afraid I’m not very good at those sorts of things...

[ His voice is low and stuttering not much different than usual at least. But there’s something else there too. A tiredness and sadness that he can’t help have permeated through his tone. Today was…a hard day for Helios. Anniversary of Elise’s death and their engagement party, that on top of everything else that’s happened, well, it’s not really any surprise that Helios is a bit dour. So once most of the sweets have been taken or devoured Helios will head over to the flower shop to get a bundle of flowers. Next he’ll go to the Memory Garden and then lastly you can find him outside in the plaza until it gets dark. He’s not doing much besides sitting down and reading a rather old and worn looking book. It appeared in the library a few days ago and ever since then he’s kept it in his possession. It was the last gift Elise gave him as a surprise gift and then his engagement ring popped up just the other day. It’s been two years since he’s seen that ring and now he absently rolls it in his palm when he next speaks. ]

Do your worlds have a concept of soul mates? And if so d-do you believe in it? Love at first sight I mean. And being so perfectly matched to someone that your share a part of your soul with them? Have you ever thought you’ve found that person in passing on the street, or in a class at college?

[ A pause before he sighs and laughs a little. ]

I apologize. That’s a bit personal, isn’t it? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to. M-Maybe something more open then. Imagine if you could…see the memories connected with a certain item or place. I wonder what you could, ah, gain from it if you could. History often teaches us rather a great deal after all. To be able to t-tap into the memories connects to things, like books, or jewelry and see their own history. It would…be interesting, wouldn’t it?

Comments

[action] | fff, I still have to reply to your OTHER tag, and here I go making this one

[removeimpurity]

[The influx of New Feathers reminded her of herself having arriving four months prior -- though it felt so much longer. Thus, she can't exactly ignore Helios' announcement; he's trying to greet all of the newcomers properly, after all.]

[Syre heads down to the plaza, greeting Helios with a smile as she walks closer to the makeshift stall.]

Part of me regrets not making something to put out here, as well. [She laughs, softly.] How are you this morning, Helios?

[action] | ALL THE TAGS

[folklorist]

[ Helios greets her in much of the same fashion. Luminair will chirp happily and nudge at Syre's feet for her to take something. He is being a good little helper today. ]

G-Good morning Syre. It's a lovely day out, isn't it? A bit of the h-hot side though. As f-for me? I'm...doing well, and yourself?

[voice]

[winds_voice]

Love is something that I am still trying to understand. It is a human emotion, one that Spirits from my world should not know. Though we should not really know any emotion, so being one who has grown to feel, I believe it would be beneficial to know more about this... love.

I have seen other humans in love, however. I am not familiar with the concept of a soul mate, but they never seem to leave each others side. It hurts them to be apart.

You sound as though you may be hurting now yourself...

[voice]

[folklorist]

It's one of the most basic and needed emotions anyone c-can have. It gives people m-many different things. Happiness, inspiration, a sense of protection and-and care. [ He sounds almost in pain, but he does try to keep it out of his voice as he speaks. It's only until the spirit speaks those words that he flinches a little on his end. ]

O-Oh, no, I-I'm alright. Just a bit...thoughtful today it seems. [ A pause. ] But you are right, about what they are. Two p-people so perfectly in tune with one another...that their souls are a perfect match.

[Action]

[de_bel_survivor]

[After listening to his post, Kouki makes his way down towards the stall. After what happened that night, he feel better talking to Helios in person instead of using the journals. A sense of privacy, in a way.

He approach the stall, smiling.]

Hey, Mr. Helios. Still got some sweets left?

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios is honestly almost startled out of his thoughts when he hears Kouki's voice. Oh, gods, Kouki he...he never apologized to you did he? Helios' face goes a little pale, but for the most part he looks calm. He manages a small little smile motioning to the cookies and cupcakes left. ] O-Oh, yes, of course. There's plenty t-to go around. Please help yourself.

[Filtered to Helios.]

[bibliophile_annex]

Are you alright? Did something happen?

[Filtered to Helios.]

[folklorist]

O-Oh! I'm sorry if I...startled you, Hermione. But, no, no I'm quite alright. Th-thank you for your concern. [ Except lots of things have happened. Far too many things in the past few weeks. But Helios is doing better, loads better really, than he normally would have without support. ]

[Video]

[windandrain]

[Saori is making her usual rounds, meandering about town in a fit of restless boredom. As expansive as Luceti was, it was still confined for her. When she hears Helios announcement though, she starts up a video and heads towards town. Sweets were good, and Helios could probably use some cheering up. He sounded supremely sad]

Yes, the concept of soul-mates exists in my world. Humans claim to fall in love at first sight quiet often. Sometimes, it is because two souls met in the past, and were joined before. Twin-souls, soulmates, and what have you. I do not believe in it, I know it to be true.

[Voice]

[folklorist]

[ Helios doesn't turn on his own video function, he just leaves it on voice. ] Met in the past...

[ Something like reincarnation then? ] That's a very interesting thought. S-Soulmates exist in my world as well.

[action]

[wise_maiden]

[When he arrives at the flower shop, Raine will be present, sorting out the new seed packets from the item shop. The store at least is finally reorganized from the mess left by the Kin'corrans. She glances up when she hears the jingle at the door.]

-- Oh, hello Helios. Is there something I can help you with today?

[action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios pauses, almost like a deer in headlights, but he manages to shift his otherwise dour demeanor to something...less so. The sadness is still prevalent in his posture but he sounds otherwise stoic and not his normal cheerful self. ]

Oh. G-Good afternoon Raine. I-I just stopped by to p-pick up a few things. [ Flowers for someone very important is the unspoken sentence. ]

[video]

[sketchingideals]

...yes, there is someone I sort of view as a soul mate. [He doesn't know if she'll be okay when he gets home. It's killing him. But...] Maybe it wasn't love at first sight for me, because I was so young at the time, but I don't have any doubt that she and I have a connection that's hard to explain. And when I finally realized how I felt about her, everything made so much sense.

[voice]

[folklorist]

I-I see. It's a lovely feeling, isn't it? T-To share that with someone. [ A tired little sigh from him. ] It doesn't make the look quite as big or in-intimidating.

[voice]

[quicktoanger]

"Not sure I like the idea of soulmates, it seems almost restrictive."

This sounded like it had a story behind it, so I figured I may as well offer.

"Want to share your feelings on it? Maybe over a drink?"

[voice]

[folklorist]

I-I've...heard that as well. [ His inside source in the Council agreed with that thought. True lights were restrictive, and a liability. But they were also the other half a person's soul. ]

O-Oh. [ Wasn't expecting that offer. ]

If-if you want. I'm...not the best of company right now, though. S-So I apologize. [ A clear understatement given his tone and disposition at the moment. ]

[voice]

[truthin_bones]

[Even without the accompanying photograph, Brennan's tone makes her position clear. The soul mate argument is one she's had before. Usually with Booth.]

Don't be ridiculous. Love is little more than a chemical process which causes delusion, any initial attraction to an individual the result of said reaction within one's system.

[voice]

[folklorist]

[ Helios can't honestly get mad at a description like that. Every world has their own meaning and own take on it, and every person is entitled to their opinions. He respects Bones' opinion and anyone else's who disagrees. The concept it a bit farfetched, when he thought about it. ] O-Oh, I see.

[ He pauses for a moment. ] S-Scientifically speaking that's what you mean.

[voice]

[godbent]

...Are there spells for that?! Please tell me there's spells for that! That's even cooler than casting bones!

[voice]

[folklorist]

S-Spells? Oh. Um, yes I believe there is. They're...rather complex in how they work. Seers and clairvoyant people have come up with a spell. But it's quite tricky to use, since their powers are more innate than most.

[Action]

[flickerflash]

[There you are. Sitting in the plaza with a book as if you've done nothing wrong.

Katie's just going to watch Helios for now, sitting with her knees curled up to her chest on a nearby roof. She's wondering whether, if she stares hard enough at the back of his head, he'll get nervous.]

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios has the perchance of always being nervous. It's only when he stops to look up from his book that he feels it. It's like the touch of cobwebs going down your back and it makes hims shiver a little, despite the heat of the day. He feels as if he's being watched, but by who he has no idea. ]

[Action]

[lostinmyway]

[Memory Garden, you say? Well, then, Helios, you're going to have company.

Grune has already finished her weeding for the day; now she's making her second round, trimming and deadheading when necessary, but mostly just checking on all the flowers. Even with the disruption from the Kin'corans, everything in the garden seems to be doing just fine. She's glad; it's very important for these plants to grow up nice and healthy and strong.

She hasn't noticed Helios just yet, but give her enough time and she will.]

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ And in front of one particular plot Helios will be judiciously and carefully working to dig out the out flowers and replace them with the new ones. He almost hands the old ones reverently and the new ones just the same. He'll be humming a song that isn't familiar to anyone here, but it's a song he shared between himself and Elise.

He doesn't notice Grune right away, only when he sits back on his heels and wipes some of the dirt off his hands. His green eyes conveying a subtle, but deep, sadness. ] Grune?

audio;

[deadlyjuliet]

Love at first sight? Nfu...oh, most certainly. I knew the moment I set eyes on that person that I wanted him. [sigh] But now I have someone different and he? Is a delicious little treat all on his own.

As for memories? It's a thrill, I'll admit. One I can't quite seem to let go.

audio;

[folklorist]

[ Helios' blood goes cold when Grell of all people replies to his entry. Helios is...not too sure if he should answer or not. ] Oh-oh, I see. That's...that's wonderful for y-you and h-him. Finding s-someone special in this place is...certainly a good thing at times.

[voice]

[i_am_not_cute]

I've heard people talk about soul mates in my world, but I don't think it's a real thing there. [Though she wouldn't really know, considering how utterly inexperienced and uninterested she is in the world of love.] Mm, but sometimes I'm jealous of Mr. Tiger and Mr. Barnaby being partners. It must be nice to have someone you can depend on like that. [She means "partners" in a non-romantic sense, but hey, sometimes the line is blurred.]

[voice]

[folklorist]

I'm not sure if m-many places do have them. [ Which was interesting to think about. He wonders if he would have chosen Elise regardless of what they were to one another... ]

P-Partners? As in...? [ No he is not sure which partners she means. Because clearly, talking about soul mates put the one kind on a person's mind. ]

[voice] Lateness sucks.

[risingshepard]

[...This guy was familiar. Too familiar. Wasn't he the face she saw during that mess, the one that raided 46 last August...?

...Well, he looked like he was back to normal, if he'd been turned into a raving lunatic by this 'Apep' at first...but it was better to be safe than sorry. She replies in kind, soon enough.] It'd be handy, yeah, if it allowed us to see beyond that.

[voice] fff it's okay! <3

[folklorist]

History books only give us the written word. A-And, well, seeing and reading are two entirely different things. There's a disjoint in how it affects people when reading it. E-Especially on how the authors write it.

[ A small sigh. Her voice sounded familiar but Helios was having trouble placing it currently. ] Seeing into the future would be nice. But there's always things that could change. It makes it...unpredictable to read sometimes. [ That sort of ritual magic in his world was powerful and unstable at best. But when it did work it worked entirely. ]