folklorist | ϡ - Chapter Forty; In memoriam nos durabimus

[ 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?

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You're...absolutely right. I-I suppose maybe, one day, I'll meet her again. [ Though he tries to sound happy it still falls a little flat. ]

I-I just...miss her. But I suppose everyone misses s-someone in their live, don't they? [ He can't bring her back and it hurts him to even admit that, but he can keep her in his memories always. In a way that keeps her near to him just as much as being alive would. ]

Yes. Everyone misses someone. Even me. But we make the best, and do the best we can do.

[She offers Helios a weak smile]

And its hard. But, we make it. Everyone does, in their own way.

I don't think I would have made it this far without Varron and Ra and everyone here.

[ He looks down at the ring in his closed palm, the gold cool against his skin. ]

Tell me about Varron and Ra. And your...fascinating ring.

[She caught that glance, staring down at it]

Varron? He's...one of the only truly good friends I have back home. I-I met him in college. He's a normal human, he can't use magic at all, but he never once judged me for what I am. I-I think he also helped me for towards opening the academy. [ Along with Elise. His smile as he speaks about Varron is happy, bittersweet, but happy. ]

And Ra. [ Helios gives a breathless laugh as he shakes his head. ] Ra's a bit...insufferable, but he's a god, a dragon god. A-And he-he saved me. He saved me from Apep when he didn't have to.

Ra...is the god of the Sun, yes? I've heard that name in my world, the king of the Nile. In your world he is a dragon?

[She's interested of course]

And its good to hear that you have a friend like that. What was Varron like?

Oh. N-No, no. E-mun Ra was a...guardian for Ra in my world. I-I'm not sure if he exists in any other Earth to be honest. He didn't seem to be there...in the one other Earth I went to.

[ Helios shrugs and looks a bit distant as he begins to speak. ] He's...understand and very strict when-when he needed to be. He, um, was the one who-who gave me the courage to...speak with Elise f-for the first time. And he was one of the only people who cared when she was gone.

[ Helios' smile falters as he remembers that moment, the moment he almost took his own life because the grief and pain had been far too much. The loneliness and darkness almost overbearing. But Varron didn't give up on him and Helios is eternally grateful towards the other man for that. ]

Ahhh, so a trusted adviser as well as a dear friend. I take it Varron is not here, but lives in your home world?

[She gives him an encouraging smile]

He'll be waiting for you, when you return.

No he isn't. Though I-I'd imagine if he were he'd...be amazed by all the different worlds and people here. He was...very open minded when it came to that sort of thing.

[ Helios nods and lets out a breathy little laugh. ] Yes a-and my students as well.

Right, your students. You teach at a magic school right? What are your pupils like?

Ah I do, yes. [ Helios smiles a little more as he thinks about the school. It's better than thinking about other things at least. ] It-it depends on the species. A-Angels and Demons can be a bit...rough with one another. Nothing says a busy school like preventing an apocalypse. [ Or two, or three. ]

Altor one of my angelic students...he's a bit protective of people. The vampires are nice enough too, very civil depending on the family and their roots, werewolves as well. Then there's the phoenixes and their group. They're very artistic, free spirited and all that. They help keep up the morale within the place. My human students are, well, they're what you'd expect of teenagers at their age. Sometimes challenging authority a-and very open minded, willing to learn too. But in the end they're still young adults and needing guidance, especially with everything that happens in the academy at times. But at the end of the day we're all a bit like family, no matter what species or race.

You teach...angels, demons, and vampires? How in Heaven's name do you manage? I should think they'd wish to learn from their own kind?

[Pardon her confusion, Helios. THIS is interesting!]

I-I have most of their...leaders b-backing. For the angels and demons at least. There's the Goetia f-family too, they keep things in relative order usually. A-And the archangels stop by every once in awhile to check on things too. Vampires conduct themselves depending on their family's h-house. So having g-good public standing is...rather important to them.

And...what do you teach them, Helios? Why send them to you?

H-How to-to live and interact with humans I-I suppose. I-I made a name for myself, unexpectedly. I just...want everyone in my world to accept and work together with one another. Mythica, humans, and magicians working and living peacefully together. That was our dream...

[ He clenches the ring in his hand a little tighter, a stiff smile touching his lips. ]

You mean that demons and angels are willing to try and work together? Your world...seems far less savage than mine in that respect. They fight like cats and dogs over Europe.

I-I've come to realize that as well. From other people's worlds. But, yes, they are willing to...even if a bit grudgingly so. [ A small tired sigh escapes his lips as he manages a smile. ]

But everyone is trying their hardest to-to make things work. I-I can only be thankfully that they w-would listen to a merely human like myself. Let alone h-help me and take up my offers. [ It's humbling to see it and Helios is more than grateful for their cooperation. ]

Well, sometimes thats what other beings need. Humans provide us with an outside perspective, sometimes its what we need.

[She grins]

Everyone needs that.

A different perspective can go...a long way. Walk a mile in someone's shoes as the saying goes. [ Helios chuckles a little but there's a distinct lack of mirth to it. ]

And you and other mythica provide us with a different perspective too. I'm...trying to get people to see that mythica aren't harmful, like the stories have been made to portray them as. But it's a long ways off from happening. Change like that...takes awhile no matter who is involved.

ϡ - Chapter Forty; In memoriam nos durabimus

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