folklorist | ϡ - Chapter Forty; In memoriam nos durabimus

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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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I am, too.

[...She can't let this go. She's almost certain something is wrong with Helios. She needs to find out what it is so she can make it better right away.]

Helios? What's the matter?

[ Helios blinks and looks back at Grune with an apologetic gaze. He almost seems like he doesn't want to speak, his mouth sent in a thin line. ] It...it's nothing Grune. Today is just...one of those days. I'll be alright.

[ He always is afterwards. It's just hard to really right now, especially after everything he's been through. ]

One of those days?

[To someone who's almost perpetually happy, his excuse is mystifying.]

Just...um. N-Nevermind. It's a saying in my world. F-For when your day isn't going quite how you expected it to. But it'll be alright, it's a bit better now that I planted these flowers.

[ He manages a small smile. ] D-Do you want any help?

Oh, yes, that would be very nice.

[But however hard Helios is giving off "let it drop" signals, Grune just isn't going to allow that to happen.]

What didn't you expect to happen?

[ Helios pauses and looks at the flowers with a slight intensity that was neither needed or warranted, given their beauty and vibrancy. His hand unconsciously moves towards his pocket. ] I found something...very important to me in-in the item shop today. It...made me remember somethings that h-happened on this day.

My, that's wonderful. [...Isn't it?

Her gaze follows his hand to his pocket.] What is it?

It...it is. [ Said with no small amount of uncertainty in his voice. Helios looks down at his pocket and his hand within. He pulls out a small, golden, ring. It's nothing fancy or ornate like some things might have been. Just a pretty plain old ring, but its significance was worth more than anything jewel encrusted band could ever be. ] My en-engagement ring, Grune.

[Grune looks up at him suddenly, her lips parted in complete surprise.]

Oh, my, I didn't know you had a special someone, Helios! How lovely!

[ There is a clearly pained expression that flickers across his face when Grune says that. But he reels himself in and tries to look, at best, stoic. ]

She was. Sh-she was very lovely, Grune.

[ Had was the key word. He had someone special and now they're gone too. ]

[She just--stops, the smile freezing on her face before slowly, gradually slipping away.

Then, of course, she's hugging him. She couldn't possibly do anything else.

His special someone was....]

[ Helios isn't sure why he didn't expect that hug, but it's almost too good to really pull away from. It helps in so many ways that he's left speechless and the tiredness he's been forcing down these last few weeks broils to the surface. There's a sharp intake of breath from him and he tries to keep his composure for the hug, however long it lasts, but there are some droplets of tears on his cheeks.

Gods he missed her so much sometimes. It was always there, but this day was the hardest. That hollow, empty, feeling one gets when they just lost someone irreplaceable. It was...hard and it was unfair, she was too young to have passed on. And yet here he was without her. But maybe, just maybe, someday he could meet her once more. It's that little glimmer of hope that makes the pain that much less to bear. ]

[Grune just keeps holding him, tight and strong. Her hand comes up to smooth down his hair, but aside from that, she doesn't let go of him for a single moment.

Finally, softly, she says:] Maybe someday she'll come here. Then you can be together again.

[ He only pulls away slightly to wipe at his eyes and cheeks. ] One day, maybe she will. [ Helios isn't sure how to cross that bridge if that were ever the case. But he'd not sure if she ever will. It's been almost three years since his arrival here, after all. ]

I wish you could m-meet her. I-I think you both would get along very well. Sh-she enjoys gardening quite a bit, and she taught me everything I know.

[Grune keeps her hands resting on his shoulders and she watches him, ready to hug him again if he needs it.]

I think we'd get along, too. She sounds like a very nice person.

Could you tell me about her?

[ He smiles a little at the question. Elise. What was there to say about her? So many things come to mind when he thinks about it. ] She was. She was kind, caring, gentle. She used to tease me a-all the time about my-my terrible poetry and she was very good at dancing. Like the leaves when they're carried by the wind? That's what she looked like.

[ He smiles sadly as he pauses to take a small shaky breath of air. ]

And she helped me...th-through so many things.

[She smiles a little, seeing the change in his expression. Even if he's still sad, at least he's thinking of happier memories now.]

I'm sure you must have helped her a lot, too.

[ He lets out a happy little chuckle and just shakes his head. ]

I. I think I just made more work f-for her, really. [ He was more than a mess when they had met, but Elise kept pulling through even with all the back steps and precautions they had to take. ] But I...I did try to.

Oh, no. That can't be true. I think you must have made her very happy.

[After all, she wanted to be his special someone forever.]

I. I did try to. But...I'm sure you're right. She...was always so lovely when she smiled and-and laughed.

[ His expression brightens just a little bit more. ]

So I tried to make her do it as often as possible.

That was a very kind thing to do, Helios. [She smiles agaon, the expression fuller this time.] Did she make you smile and laugh a lot, too?

Of course. Elise always...had a way with situations and words. [ He sighs looking a bit distant. ]

I don't know if I could ever be s-sad for long or-or unhappy.

[Her hands had slipped from his shoulder as he talked. Now, she brings one back up again to gently settle on his upper arm.]

She sounds like she was a very special person. I'm glad you were able to know her.

I'm glad...that I was able to know her too. [ His smile falters and turns into something more sad, more pained and filled with anguish. ]

I wish it could have...l-lasted just a bit longer though.

[Her hand comes back to his shoulder again and she leans forward.]

It's sad when you have to say goodbye. But you still have all your memories of the happiness that you shared with her. I think it's important to remember that feeling as hard as you can. That way, she can still be close to you.

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folklorist - 2012-10-17 23:33 (UTC) - Expand

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lostinmyway - 2012-10-19 14:47 (UTC) - Expand

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