folklorist | ϡ - Chapter Forty-One; a new beginning [forward dated to the afternoon]

[ Anyone nearby the bridge by House 47 and House 35 will see the droids unceremoniously drop a rather disgruntled and startled blonde man into the river. Helios wasn’t awake fully at the time, but he sure is now! He is just going to sputter and flail a bit in the water before making his way towards dryer land. Helios is totally not amused by this guys, especially since it's kinda cold out. The water is also an odd shade of purple…and that grass is blue. He is just…really confused, because nothing is the right color and he’s slightly panicking from this revelation. It must be a side-effect…it has to be. And once he finally runs into people, he'll notice a strange and alarming aura around each individual person. It's a side-effect from John's tampering with his death penalty.

He’ll groggily get up and wring out his long sleeve shirt and jacket, huffing and mumbling under his breath. Not the graceful or nicest of re-entries to the enclosure. You can find Helios walking through the village, soaking wet and a bit miffed, back to his house. And once he gets there he’ll get settled, changed, and make a voice entry.]

[Voice]

I’m, ah, b-back. Thank you f-for whoever took care of the Library in my absence. Everything is well, aside from seeing things in c-color again. Surprisingly…strange and saying that is rather odd too. [ A laugh on his end. There’s a rattling noise from somewhere off in the distance. Luminair’s chirps get excited and happy as Helios gives a surprised gasp. ] Oh! Gods , is it really that time already? I-I didn’t even realize…though the time it takes is far less than your own.

[ Helios clears his throat, his tone slightly more jovial and happy than before. ] It’s a pleasure to meet all the new arrivals we’ve gotten these past few weeks. I hope everyone hasn’t had too much t-trouble settling in. The library is free to use for anyone who wants, and we also have a bookclub that meets once a month. Also if anyone has any questions about the spirits of this place, or m-magic in general, I ah wouldn’t mind assisting you in learning. There’s also a m-magic club that meets every once in awhile too! [ Some more rattling as Luminair chirps more emphatically. ]

Oh, dear, I-I wonder if it’ll last until tomorrow… [ A tapping noise as he taps a pencil on the table. ]

Ah. I-I was wondering…how many people would be interested in seeing a newborn dragon hatch? I-I think this calls for a little celebration, don’t you think Luminair? [ A happy chirp in reply is heard from somewhere off in the room. ]

If anyone wants to stop by tomorrow to see the hatching…I wouldn’t mind having a small little get together! I could make some food and-and a cake too. Anyone is welcome to come by house forty-four. We could all benefit from a little celebration once in awhile, hm?

((ooc; For Helios' return effect he is seeing people's auras, along with seeing the world in weird colors and shades. The auras that Helios are seeing, are just different facets to a person's personality. If you don't want him to see someone's aura just let me know and we can work around that! ))

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Ah. [ Oh dear. Helios despite himself, colors a little. He laughs, clearing his throat, before continuing. Of course. That was how it was celebrated in Japan. ]

Um. No not quite. Just...a celebration for the birth of-of Christ. I-I'm not exactly religious but...I do celebrate it. My family did so the tradition just stuck. [ He kinda celebrates whatever, usually. ]

Ahh, so you follow the Western style. I've never done that.

[She shrugs]

Yuuna and I celebrate it together in the Japanese fashion, though. With cake and gifts...and other things.

We call it Crăciunul in Romania. But, ah, yes we did used to celebrate it in the Western style fashion. It's not much different than how they celebrate it in America, actually.

[ Helios smiles. ] Ah. I see. That sounds lovely. Christmas here was peaceful, for the one time I celebrated it so far. The Malnosso seem to get into the spirit as well. [ Though that's more often than not, bad. Helios can't really say he minds it when they focus on Christmas. ]

Do they really?

[Her eyebrows pop up at that]

What sort of oddities should we expect?

Yes but luckily there's no, um, oddities. Unless you count the statue of Bill that appeared in the town and let you get one present you wanted very much. It was...surprisingly nice.

Oh? Nothing strange has ever happened on Christmas?

[She leans back and sips tea]

Well, we...could have a party, then. Do you think that would be appropriate.

Not in my own experiences, no. I-I think it's relatively peaceful.

[ Helios beams at that. Just how he likes it. A Christmas party is something of a tradition for him, back home and here. ] Oh yes! That would positively wonderful.

I think so too. It'll liven up everyone's spirits, and that's something we sorely need.

[It's not Christmas without Yuuna, though, and she frowns for a moment.]

I detest winter, though.

You're certainly right about that. A revitalizing of everyone's spirits is certainly due. [ And tis the season after all. ]

Ah, you do? I-I somewhat got used to it. Romania has had more than its fair share of terribly cold winters. Living near the mountains doesn't help.

It's...not necessarily the weather.

[She shakes her head and looks away]

Winter brings back bad memories.

Oh. I-I see. [ A frown. ]

I, ah, didn't mean to-to make you think upon such things, Saori. [ But we all have our secrets. ]

I don't mind talking about it.

[She sips more]

Have I ever told you about my family?

No you, ah, haven't actually. I-I think you briefly mentioned them but never in detail.

[ Helios sips some more tea and watches her carefully. ]

[Her eyes lower for a moment, her expression distant.]

I was an only child. I had three two uncles and two aunts, who lived with my parents and I. It wasn't idea, not having a male heir, but we made do. My father was a local lord, and we were fairly comfortable. And he was a pious man, who always revered the gods.

[She stops, closing her eyes]

My family raised me to have a choice. To be a courtier, or to be a warrior. I learned art and swordplay, writing and archery...and many other things. But, my father's lord, he was not a good man.

O-Oh I see. [ Helios has a good idea where this is going. It is going nowhere very good, is it? He bites his lip lightly as he nods for Saori to continue, should she wish to do so. ]

One day, my father's lord came to our house, but on his journey he offended Lord Tesshin by refusing to pay homage to him during the trip. The god grew angry and sent his servants to our home. Hound spirits that demanded the lord come out to speak with them. Of course, he refused.

[She fixes Helios with a long, sad gaze]

So, I let them inside against his wishes. My father's brothers would not let him defy the lord, so I snuck out of my bed and let them enter through a side gate.

The hounds hunted the lord down and forced him to offer tribute to Lord Tesshin instead of killing him. He was furious, and when he left he had a dark sorcerer place a curse on my family for my actions.

Gods that's...terrible Saori. [ There are no words towards that man's actions. ] Why? Why was he so steadfast in not paying homage? Knowing how many lives were at stake if he didn't do so...

[ Helios shakes his head, his expression on of deep sympathy. ] I'm sorry that happened to you and your family. You were...only trying to protect your family, and do what was right.

Well the lord was a fool. An he had been dealing with blood magic and dark powers. The full extent of his corruption was only apparent when that Shogunate fell, and his dark ways were exposed.

[She laughs bitterly]

I did do what was right. But, my family still died. Tesshin shielded me from the curse, and adopted me as his own. But the locals still pitied me, and gave me the title Lost Lady of Dazaifu. Not long from now, it will be the four-hundred and twentieth anniversary of their passing.

ϡ - Chapter Forty-One; a new beginning [forward dated to the afternoon]

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