folklorist | ϡ - Chapter FortyThree; The third year anniversary (forward dated to the afternoon) [action|video]

[ The video feed turns on to a rather chubby little dragon wagging its tail happily as it watches a man, Helios to be more exact, standing over a glowing circle. He’s in his boom shack today, practicing a rather hard enchantment and so far it’s going well. The air in the shack is cold and the heat from the burning candles gives it an eerie fog like affect that is ever present in the video feed. Helios himself is standing at one point of the circle, eyes closed, as he mutters something under his breath. It’s an old and ancient language that not many people in his world know; runic old and ancient magicians used to use this language and then translated it into latin to make it easier to learn from. The lighting in the shack changes then, as the line of the circle turns from red to blue to purple and then green. Each color illuminating the foggy shack by the second as they constantly cycle through one another as Helios’ pitch and tone gets a bit louder and clearer. And then there is a crackling noise of energy as if stray bolts of lightning are trapped within the circle’s walls and then fizzle and flash in the video’s transmission. It’s all over with a bright flash of light and a shrill little chirp from Luminair, before the transmission goes back to normal with a sparkling smoke. It drifts lazily about the camera before Helios can be seen smiling broadly as he picks up the efforts of his work. A single solitary silver ring, now etched and engraved with magical symbols, it also holds a green emerald at its center. Helios for the record looks a bit tired as he comes over and scoops up one little dragon and said journal. It’s only then that he realizes it’s on. His green eyes widen in mild surprise but he just laughs and shakes his head. ]

Luminair you spoiled the surprise. Ah, well, I suppose it’s a good time as any to talk about it. If-if anyone was watching I recently m-made myself another ring. A, um, mirage ring to be exact! It-it helps change a person’s look by the illusion properties I enchanted this ring with. It works on dragons, werewolves, vampires, and all other sorts of mythological beings. But I’m not sure how much power this one will have, given the circumstances of Luceti. But it should work, most certainly at least when it’s not under the one hundred percent power cap or some other anti-magical shift. [ Said ring is held up to the camera and Luminair chirps in confirmation. ]

I was wondering if anyone would be interested in h-having…something of a private order type of enchanting service. I-I know that we have people here that can do so already, with specific gems and jewels from their world. Perhaps we could collaborate and, um, work together on making better more refined types of enchantments. We could probably use them to help f-fortify the defense of the village too…when you think about it! Maybe even apply defenses to the buildings and those sorts of things! If-if you’re interested in discussing it more I-I wouldn’t mind doing so at all. I think we could all benefit from such a thing, really.

[ And here he pauses looking thoughtful and rather pensive for the moment. ] It’s funny when I arrived here three years ago on this very day I never would have considered myself talking about magic so openly. Talking or evening using magic so openly, with people I-I hardly knew, in my world there’s serious ramifications for such things. But here we are, and here I am t-teaching magic like I wish to back at home. It’s a warming experience to go through, honestly. [ He wishes he would remember it once he left...if he left. Who knows if that'll happen anytime soon. And he's not sure how he feels about leaving, especially all of the people he's befriended here and the like. But like everything in this life and in general, only time may tell when such things will occur. ]

If anyone stops by the town plaza today I’ll have freshly baked cookies out for the occasion.

[ Helios likes to give something back, just to show how much he cares about the people here and how grateful he is to know them. ] It’s…sort of a way of s-saying thank you, for everything really. [ And with that Helios will turn off the video feed but leave the voice function on, in case anyone wants to talk over the journals as he goes to bake up a storm. ]

[ Action ]

[ Otherwise Helios will be found in the plaza that late afternoon with a table filled with all assortments of cookies and even a cake and pie or two. Feel free to take as much as you want, there's plenty to go around! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm sure I would, if he was like you. But, what's a Watcher? And...who is Buffy?

[She nods emphatically.]

I'm very good with seals and wards. Don't worry.

Buffy Summers. She works at Good Spirits. But-but Giles came from her world. W-Watchers were these people who...knew and taught slayers all about monsters and-and vampire hunting. Buffy is, um, said slayer.

[ He frowns as he sighs and shakes his head. ]

But. I...still miss both him and Ginia. Even if it has almost been a year since he's left.

The young, blonde woman? Ah, I've seen her around. She's...a vampire hunter then?

[Very curious!]

I'm sorry that they left. Is that why the master-bedroom is closed off? In case they return?

The only one in her world yes. Apparently there can only be one vampire slayer at a-a time. [ Though Helios isn't sure about this, so don't quote him on it.

Helios will...sigh and frown slightly. ] I-I suppose it's a bit silly, isn't it? T-To keep it closed for someone who might need it or who wants to use it.

I think it's sweet.

[She puts a hand on his shoulder though, squeezing]

But perhaps it's time to let go. You've said it's been a year. And...all things come to an end. If he returns, we can just add a new room. But maybe...it's time.

[ Helios frowns and lets out a tired sad little sigh. ]

I-I suppose you're right. It just...feels like I'm betraying them if we do that and they come back. [ But rationally he knows that is a very slim chance of happening. ]

I don't think they'll see it that way.

[She squeezes gently]

Helios, it's just a room. I'm sure they'd understand.

You're p-probably right. I-I just...what if they do come back though?

[ He sounds so unsure and somewhat disgruntled about it. It would be dreadful to have one of them come back and for them to not have a place to stay in the house they all three claimed together at first. ]

I know they would understand. It's just...a bit harder then I expected to do, is all.

Then...we'll add a special room just for them?

[She pats him on the shoulder and begins to mix up some batter with her free hand]

Helios, worrying about what may happen might make you miss what's right in front of you.

I-I think that might actually be wonderful to-to do.

[ He just winces a little and heaves a short sigh. ]

S-Sorry. It's...just hard to break such a habit, you know?

It is. I've only just stopped praying Yuuna might come and make this place a bit brighter. No sense in hoping for the unlikely.

And we'll be doing them no favors if our wishes do come true, in any event.

I-I'm not so sure about that. [ Sometimes being alive and in a mildly insufferable place is better then being dead back home. But Helios knows it is a bit selfish...but the way in which Giles passed was not something to be glorified or even anything he would wish upon anyone. ]

S-Sometimes getting a second chance here is-is better then nothing.

[ He looks ever so pensive as he stares into nothingness. ]

Oh...

[She stopped stirring and faced him fully.]

He was one who'd passed, wasn't he?

[ The frown deepens ever perceptively, Helios wasn't even trying to hide it, or he simply forgot to in that moment. His shoulders sag from what appears to be an almost unbearable weight. It's hard to discuss, anyone's passing would be, especially someone as close as Giles. ]

Yes. He was. [ That's the only soft murmured reply that will manage to escape his lips. His throat feels just a bit tighter, so it makes it all the harder to say. ]

Oh.

[Saori slips in closer, giving him a hug. Fuck you and your flinching, you will learn to accept her affection one day.

When she speaks, her voice is audibly lower. More commanding. But...not intimidating. Her divine voice. Clear as crystal and old as time. Maybe it's not what he wants to hear, but becoming mired in loss is a sure way to lose one's own way. She knows that better than anyone.]

All things end. But that doesn't mean they are gone forever. Memory is a powerful thing. Dangerous, if you let it swallow you, but you know this.

Helios. It is alright to wish for his return. But perhaps it would be best to wish for his peace.

[ He does accept Saori's affection and her presence. But he knows that what she says is right, as he has gone through loss so many times in his life thus far. He doesn't make a sound but he nods in acknowledgement to her words. ]

I do. I. I wish for it everyday. And he...he was happy here but I know this place isn't exactly p-peaceful at times. [ Sometimes it was worse if his marred hand was any testament to those thoughts. ]

Well. If he returns then I will see to him myself. He will be well cared for.

[Saori's god-voice subsides with a heavy sigh and she actually sags against Helios, needing the contact to remain in control again. And she feels a lot lighter than she should.]

It's good to hope. But don't place bets...based on hope.

ϡ - Chapter FortyThree; The third year anniversary (forward dated to the afternoon) [action|video]

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