ϡ - Chapter FortyTwo; Mythica in a winter wonderland. [action|voice]

[folklorist]

[ Good afternoon Luceti; if you’re in town today you’ll notice some large lumbering pure white figures walking or flying about. No they aren’t harmful in the least, although the creatures they take after might argue otherwise, and they are not yetis or other such things that come out in the thickest of snowfalls. What they are the products of one derpy headmaster feeling the Christmas cheer thanks to the effects the Malnosso have put in place and him waking up very early in the morning after the snowfall last night to make said creatures. There will be various mythological snow creatures walking about today though none of them can make much noise or do much of anything, they’re pretty docile actually and if you wanted to you could probably even ride on top of them; they won't mind, really! There will be a dragon with icicles for horns and teeth in the town plaza and it'll greet people who enter the town with a happy flick of its tail. Helios will be there for a good portion of the day also making a majestic Griffin, and a snow unicorn. That’s not to say these are the only things that’ll be popping up. Other mythological creatures might be seen around as well. Phoenixes, mandrakes, minotaurs, kitsunes, Kodama in the more forested areas and even a Nue. The list is really endless and Helios has been having too much fun doing this again this year. There's a stand nearby as well with hot chocolate and other warm beverages as well. As for the mythologies most of them will be life sized but nothing too extravagant or outlandish. The tallest would be around ten or so feet tall, while others miniatures in size. They’ll all be moving and just mulling about and you can be sure they’re movements are quite like the real things if you’ve ever encountered one.

The mythologies can be interacted with through the entire day with Helios sometimes in accompaniment. And later into the afternoon Helios will be found in the town square with his snowy dragon companion making your standard issued snowmen, each one getting their own complimentary hat, scarf, and pipe. He'll take a break and eventually pull out his journal for a short little network post. Maggir and Luminair aren’t with him, due to the cold, but the snowy little dragon following Helios around sure does resemble his baby dragon back at home! ]

Ah I love it when it snows like this, there’s an ethereal sort of calm that comes with snowfall don’t you think? The way it falls silently and blankets everything in white...it’s rather beautiful and it’s come just in time. I was wondering if we were going to get any this year. [ He sounds pleased that they have though. ]

If, if anyone remembers from last year...I-ah, made a bunch of-of snow mythica around the town. S-So if you run into any today don’t be alarmed! They’re made purely out of snow a-and they're very friendly too! They tend to, um, take after the one wh-who makes them. [ Clearing his throat now. ]

If anyone has any other creatures from their own worlds they’d like to make and animate, I can certainly take requests! You’re more than welcome to ask too, don’t be shy! I do love making snowmen and it’s almost Christmas! Spreading the holiday cheer is what it’s all about right about now! Santa would probably be proud, he is a very kind and generous sort of man; he always was very good with giving out the compliments, too. Speaking of myths...has anyone heard about a being called Yuki-onna? It’s one of the better known ones in my world, Japanese in origin, but they stories describe her as a tall and beautiful woman with black hair and blue lips. She's said to be quite cold, figuratively and literally, but she also has a more motherly and good side to her too. The Snow Queen is another one, based on Yuki-onnas, and then there's even Jack Frost too! Jack Frost is...well, he's a personification of cold and crisp winter weather. He's also a variant of Old Man Winter, but the important thing to note is that Jack Frost symbolizes the youthful nature and wonder of children playing in the snow. And then there's Kuraokami, a dragon of rain and snow in Japan. He's quite the talker as well, but very good at ice sculptures. I learned that the hard way.

[ Helios laughs because that was a bad bet to get into. He totally knows this from experience guys. Not like anyone is surprised anymore. ]

I wonder if Santa will stop by Luceti too. Ah, well, that’s left to speculation at this point. It makes you wonder if the people here had someone like him to go around and give presents to them too. Or if they even had a holiday like Christmas at all. [ So many questions, so many left unanswered! ]

I do hope everyone has a good holiday though; you can never get too into the spirit of things.

[ Finally around later in the evening all the snow mythica will go back to being their snowy, sculptural selves, and can be found throughout the village in regal more natural poses. ]

Comments

[folklorist]

[ Helios takes up the mantle and makes a few doves out of snow that flutter and flick about in the softly falling snow. He blinks at the goddess and then he nods. That was always his intention, yes, it's evident enough at how much effort and happiness Helios puts into such things. ]

Yes that's correct. After everything that's happened this year...this is a way to, um, help ease all of that. Snow is...often associated with starting fresh and new, isn't it? [ It's perfect for the New Year too. Hopefully the upcoming year will be better. ]

[windandrain]

[She watches the little doves float and drift, deciding to play along. The wind in front of the birds picks up, bending some of the falling snow into rings for them to fly through like a small formation of fighter jets.]

It's...true. It has been one of the most eventful six months of my entire existence. Battle, viruses, amnesia. Why, I think I've experienced a three entirely new forms of physical pain this year alone. [She says this without batting an eyelash, almost like she's categorized and counted each individual instance...because that's not creepy at all!]

But you're right. Snow is associated with new beginnings. And that is something we do really need.

[folklorist]

[ The tiny little birds fly through the hoops with ease and then do somersaults through the air. Corkscrews, spinning, and loop de loops, they're basically like real birds, only not.

Helios listens as he watches the bird, his eyes ticking back towards Saori when she speaks about the physical pain. There's a slight twitch in his response to that, and he almost grabs at his arm in one of those moments when he thinks back on his own physical pain. He winces biting his lips and looking solemn for a moment, but he merely nods and smiles, his expression shifting away from his own pain. ]

That's right. E-Everyone needs a new, fresh, start. Turning over a new leaf...I believe that's the saying. The New Year is certainly appropriate for that.

[windandrain]

[She takes another step closer, laying a hand across his shoulder in a show of familial affection. Not pushing or pressing, just letting him know that she's there for him, if he needs. She gives him a level, penetrating look, meeting his eyes]

Yes. Everyone does.

[She says seriously, trying to convey her feelings without words: That she doesn't want August to come between them, and her own reliance on him as both a friend and an adopted child.]

[folklorist]

[ He doesn't move or even flinch at that contact, a new sort of record for him. Typically there would be a slight twitch but even that was absent. He looks back at Saori with cheerful smile in his eyes. ]

I-I suppose I can't argue. It would make my own words less p-profound. [ Especially if he denied himself his own words and thoughts. August was a very heavy month for all of the people involved, and sometimes he still wonders how he has met such kind and caring individuals like Saori, Adele, Harry, and Sabriel. He's extremely lucky, at least in this place, and starting anew might be good for all of them. ]

[windandrain]

[When he doesn't twitch, her level look melts into a warm smile, that only broadens when he doesn't protest.]

Exactly.

[She squeezes softly, flashes of memory surfacing as she thought back to August. The confusion, anger, and desperation of putting that situation to rights had overwhelmed her. Then the anchoring ritual, and the Kin'Corran troubles that'd left her in Helios and Adele's care. Without them she'd probably be dead, especially considering how flighty Valvalis had been.]

Helios...you really are a sweet man. And I'm lucky to know you.

[She bows her head with a cheerful smile]

So let's start fresh, ne?

[folklorist]

[ He ducks his head at the squeeze and nods silently in agreement. ] I-I'm lucky and honored to know you as well, Saori. It's...it's always been an very nice treat to be in your company. [ He smiles genuinely happy at the moment. ]

But I think you're right. Starting fresh is probably best. And on that note, what would you like to see? Any preference for a snow mythica of your choosing?

[windandrain]

[She lets the matter rest, since he's so obviously happy, retracting her hand]

I should like to see hound kami again. Can you manage them?

[folklorist]

[ Helios gives a happy nod and looks back at the snow, then Saori. ] A hound kami, hm? Any preference as to what it should look like? I confess I haven't met too many in my time abroad.

[windandrain]

[She nods cheerily]

A shiba-inu, though...I suppose you know that Kami have more ethereal shapes. A dog that isn't a dog.

Consider it a test of your creativity.

[folklorist]

A shiba-inu, hm? They are cute dogs I have to admit. Very smart too. [ Helios does love his dogs and cats and dragons...he smiles while thinking about it. ] I'll see what I can come up with then! Perhaps a dog with...hm.

[ He'll go about his business of making a dog kami with tiny little wings on its back and roaring flames come from its paws. It's tail will be long and elegant looking somewhat like the tip of a paintbrush. ]

[windandrain]

[When Saori sees it, she blinks for a moment and smiles.]

Why, he's perfect. Rather fierce looking, and the tail is a nice touch. It's a shame he's not real.

[folklorist]

I ah...had inspiration from another goddess here. Amaterasu. She was in the form of a wolf, and looked something similar to this. [ He smiles approvingly down at his own creation. ]

It's a shame you couldn't have met her.

[windandrain]

[Saori nods, looking at the little dog. She'd heard about the Amaterasu who'd been here, but hadn't put much stock in her. The goddess was likely from a different world, she'd guessed, as her queen would never have taken the form of a wolf.]

It is a shame, yes. There are too few gods here, it makes this place feel strange.

[folklorist]

[ Helios looks up at the gray sky, snow falling lightly around them. ] It is strange, to not have gods here. It's stranger to know nothing of any of the indigenous deities as well. I often wonder about the gods and people that lived here...before the Malnosso and Third Party came. It's...all so very mysterious still, and the ruins didn't really help clarify things either.

[ He huffs out a breath of white puffy smoke. He'll dust his gloves free of snow before looking back at Saori. ] I suppose not all worlds have gods and goddess though. Maybe this place was like that as well.

[windandrain]

Oh, I'm sure they exist. No world is without them, but some have died, others have had them driven off. But I'm curious as well. I wonder if they have anything to do with the spirits here.

[folklorist]

It's an interesting thought. I-I'm not really sure either. It's not as if the spirits themselves can, um, talk to us. It's...a very good mystery isn't it? I wonder about the cycle of life in this place as well.

[windandrain]

As do I, if nothing can truly...die.

[folklorist]

I just...wonder what that space is, in between the time we, um pass, to reawakening. P-Purgatory perhaps? [ He huffs a slight jilted laugh, not entirely relishing the thought of it, but its a very interesting question. ]

I also have wondered where, um, gods and goddesses went when they died. I suppose to their respective heavens.

[windandrain]

That is something I can answer. When we die, we return. Always. We are eternal, Helios. Until we wish to cease. Which can and does happen. Though...our spark is always given to another. We may cease, but our essence is essential, and we live on in whatever has our essence.

[folklorist]

Ah I see. That...makes sense. I-I think. A lot of wizards back home speculate that the Council h-has particular essences of certain fallen gods. I'm not sure how they manage to bottle it up and contain it though. It's probably rather potent and-and very strong too.

[windandrain]

[Saori's expression hardens, a flash of indignation in her eyes]

They...what?

[folklorist]

[ There may or may not be a slight wince from him. ]

They, ah, m-might do that. I'm not absolutely certain though. I-I was never really told much about that-that project, when I was still in there good graces even. N-nowadays I hardly hear about anything. I could be wrong. Like I said it's...all a matter of s-speculation. The Council has numerous artifacts and the like in their archives.

[ He shrugs. ] It's all rather...concealed if it is going on. I...tend to s-stay away from their business though. I-I rather not get their attention anymore then I have... [ he frowns and goes silent after that. His past with them is hardly something light to discuss, so he rather not delve any further into it. ]

[windandrain]

Even...the implication that it might happen is...incredibly offensive. You've told me of this Council before, and the more I hear about it the more...disgusted I find myself.

To...dare to tamper with the natural cycle of divinity is a grievous offense. I apologize for my indignant reaction, but...surely you understand.

[folklorist]

N-No it-it's understandable. I-I'm truly sorry to have brought it up. I-I should have realized... [ he should have known to even speak about this would be terribly offensive. Good job Helios. ]

I-I apologize.