ϡ - Chapter FortyEight; Day of Remembrance [action|voice]

[folklorist]

Do you have a tradition that celebrates or honors the dead back home? In Romania back in the old days people always used to celebrate with a carnival. Merry Cemetery of Sapanţa is what it’s called now. It’s a very large and colorful cemetery also a museum as well. It’s quite well known to locals but sometimes you get people from around the world to go visit it. It’s not mourning in the obvious and usual sense, but it does help when you go about it a certain way. Amazing how cultures and people vary in their depictions of it, it’s very…interesting to say the least. The fact that death doesn’t have to be solemn but a celebration towards moving forward into a better life is a strange concept to conceive. Even when I was younger it was hard to be happy at such an affair, but perhaps my parents were right. Perhaps the person has gone on to some better, happier, place and thinking about it always made me smile just a little bit. [ There’s a soft sigh on his end as he continues. ]

But, goodness that is a bit morbid. I apologize for such things, it's just one of those days. [ He sounds a bit sad as he says those words. One of those days indeed and few handful of people who he's spoken to about this knew exactly what he meant by that. ]

What are...somethings you do to keep your mind from wandering? Making new sigils, spells, and reading helps me a bit but well perhaps I need some new busy work to sink my attentions into.

[ There’s a pause before he speaks once again. ]

But for something less dreary; I have an idea I’d like to discuss, if anyone is willing to lend an ear. I realize that Cloud Nine hasn’t been in use for quite some time. I was wondering if anyone would be opposed towards me opening up an ethnic sort of café. It would only be open for breakfast and lunch, but the food there would be cuisine from all around the world and not just Earth either. If anyone would be interested in helping I would appreciate it. You can speak to me about it over the journals or even stop by house 44 if you like. I’ll also be around the library too for most of the day.

[ He’ll leave the journal open as he makes his way off to the memory garden to give Elise a new batch of flowers then. He’ll stop by the flower shop before heading over too. It was irrational to be sad having grown up with that sort of mindset. But he was always sad on this day because despite it all he still missed Elise a great deal. One thing that prior shift had him thinking about was her. In that world she was alive and well despite not having stayed with Helios for too long a period. He was happy even without Elise but somehow that thought seemed wrong to even acknowledge now. But there was Max and he was happy, incredibly so, and yet here he was in the memory garden with a fresh batch of late blooming flowers in his hands. He would go about his business throughout the day shortly after visiting Elise’s plot in the memory garden. The tea shop, Grocery store and then finally the Library to check up on things. He has a distinct distance look on his face as his thoughts churn within the confines of his head. He would have to tell Max about it, and he’s been thinking on how to approach the subject for a long time, so this seemed like as good a time as any. ]

[ Locked: Filtered to Max ]

Max? I-I’d like to talk with you if you’re not busy? I know it’s a bit sudden but…it’s somewhat important. I-I’m at the library so if you wouldn’t mind stopping by?

[ It’s quieter and less intrusive than anywhere else really. He’ll be home later in the evening where he’ll take Luminair and Maggir out for some play time in the front of the house before starting on dinner in the evening. ]

Comments

[Action]

[windandrain]

[It's a kind of cruel irony that on the day Helios is celebrating the anniversary of his soulmate's death, Saori's legs are finally back to relative normalcy. They're still weak, but that will fade with use, and even if they weren't back to normal, today of all days Saori is not sitting idle. It was hard to forget last time, and it would've been inconceivable of her not to do something for Helios. Personally, not over the journals.

While he's out, she prepares a veritable mountain of sweets. Dango, donuts, mochi, taiyaki, and every single kind of thing she can think of that has sugar in it. It's exhausting, but she makes it all, puts it into boxes, bags it up, and heads out to find Helios. It's not hard to find him, she just follows the Ban and it leads her right to the memory garden.

With a knowing look in her eye she floats up to him while his back is turned and throws her arms around him from behind, the bags jostling against him]

Helios. I saw your broadcast. I came as quickly as I could.

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios is a bit startled at the sudden arms around his waist and person. There's a minute intake of breath on his part but once he realizes who it is he can't help but smile softly. He'll look over his shoulder and with a tinge of amusement in his voice he'll respond. ]

There's no need to-to rush. Ah, I'm sorry if it worried you. I'm alright though. [ This is the third year he's done it after all. He'll notice the bags quirking a brow as he looks at them. ]

I hope I didn't interrupt anything?

[Action]

[windandrain]

[She lets go and capers around in front of him, just to make sure he sees that she's finally alright.]

Helios, I remember what today is. I saw your broadcast. And I baked you things. I know...it's not the same as...well, it's just to try and cheer you up.

[She sets them down and gives him a proper hug this time.]

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios blinks and looks a bit surprised before he settles for the hugs and offers of food without complaint. He'll return the embrace with as much warmth he can muster. He's gotten used to this and entirely expected it really, so it's...actually nice to have. ]

Ah. Th-thank you Saori. You shouldn't have though. You just-you just got back on your feet as is... [ but Helios sounds appreciative and happy. ]

I'm sure everything is delicious though.

voice;

[ura_no_ura]

Where I'm from, we celebrate the dead during a festival known as Obon. It's a three day festival that generally involves doing things like visiting the graves of your loved ones to clean them and give them offerings, visiting temples, and going to loud festivals that have a lot of food, games, and live performances. At some point, paper lanterns are usually floated down a river or stream. There's usually also some sort of fireworks display.

I guess it's a bit similar in some ways to the way your people honor the dead.

voice;

[folklorist]

Wait. That's, ah, yes. Obon is also celebrated in Japan as well. Are you from there by chance?

[ura_no_ura]

No. I'm from the village of Konogakure, in a country called the Land of Fire.

[folklorist]

That's fascinating! I know some other worlds share similar cultural and ethnic ideas but to have it be an exact form of something from Earth...

[ Don't mind him he's just internally freaking out over this. ] What else does your country celebrate?

[wise_maiden]

[Perhaps in an almost eerily similar way, Raine is present at the flower shop when Helios arrives, restocking a few things, such as the tissue paper and ribbons for the bouquets - she needs more practice for the coming weddings, after all.

She glances up toward him when she hears him puttering around.] Ah, hello Helios.

[folklorist]

[ Puttering indeed. Helios will just be moseying along picking up random flowers without any apparent care or concern. But they are all deliberately chosen for their specific purpose. He may look up a bit startled as stray thoughts make him a bit more unfocused than usual. But he still gives Raine a happy smile accompanied with a nod. ]

Good day Raine. It's nice out today, isn't it? Perfect for, um, planting some late flowers I think.

[wise_maiden]

Planting flowers, again? As long as you tend to them - the weather hasn't been good for the ones outside. Is there anything I can help with?

[Voice] Locked 75%

[voiceinthedark]

[It's something he's been thinking of recently. After the attack and all. It's just been too busy to do anything.]

It's kind of a new tradition I guess, but back home some of the people from the Township, the Runners and me, every so often we head out into the forest a few miles away. Light torches. The new Runners take over their numbers from the torches we lit for the fallen ones. Kind of... passing on the torch I guess. Not had time to do it recently though.

[Voice] Locked 75%

[folklorist]

[ A new voice but one he's heard before over the journals. ]

Ah I see. That's...rather poetic I think. Their memories and hardwork being passed down is something that most people would find appropriate. Never forget what they've done for you or the people you're with. Runners though...that term is familiar. [ He thinks for a moment a soft 'hm' coming from him. ]

You're from Abel Township, aren't you? With Eugene and-and Jack, yes?

[Voice] Locked 75%

[voiceinthedark]

It's a good way to remember them. Not like we have a lot of time for mourning these days.

[They'd never stop otherwise.]

Ah... you know Jack and Eugene? Yeah, I'm from Abel. Sam Yao.

[Voice/Action]

[abjurer]

I've always got time for you. Especially if it's important. I'll come straight over.

[He does indeed head right over there, finding Helios easily in the town's small library.]

Hey. You wanted to talk to me?

[He can't help but feel a little apprehensive. He's had bad conversations that start with some variation of 'we need to talk'.]

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios is basically pacing in the back portion of the library. His face looks tense and a bit worried his palms sweaty as he thinks over how to even begin to approach this subject. So many things could go wrong with what he's going to talk about and he's worried that Max might decided to leave him. He takes a deep breath and turns when he hears Max approach him from behind. His smile is shaky at best and Helios is doing a poor job of managing one.

This was always hard for him to talk about, more so on this day than any other. ]

Ah. Yes. I-I wanted to, um, talk to you about-about something... [ how does he even go about this? He sighs and closes his head for a moment, taking a deep breath before he continues. Best to just jump right in when the water is cold, right? ] Today is...the anniversary of-of Elise's p-passing. [ He deliberately looks down at the floor when he says that. His eyes are hooded but his voice says loads about his state. Pain, anger, sadness and a self loathing mix together to form his tone. ]

I-I never discussed the, um, details with you I don't think?

[Action]

[abjurer]

[He pauses a moment, watching as Helios paces, as agitated as Max has ever seen him. It makes him a little concerned, a sick feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. He manages a weak smile in return.]

Okay. Go ahead.

[And then Helios speaks and it's not what he was expecting at least, but damn, it hurts anyway, hearing Helios talk like that, the raw hurt and pain in his voice.]

No. No, you never did. You don't have to either, y'know. If you don't want to.

[Voice]

[tailasoldastime]

[Beast surprises himself over how the subject affects him. It takes him many moments to stop and actually think about what they all thought of death back home...]

W-we, did not... think much about death. I mean, it could happen, and w-we... cared, wh-when it... happened... but after they... th-they would be buried, and, uh, given a... a-a... graves-stone...

[His eyes widen. He knows that's not the right word, but he can't remember the real one. And he realises now that it's because he's never had to see one. He's killed many animals before and that was, to his servants, honoured because of the meal they gave him... but humans... people... he'd never... yet he...

They passed away. But he never saw it. He never saw their burial sites.

He suddenly finds his eyes watering. Why? He'd never felt for them before.

Yet they are... they were his...]

[Voice]

[folklorist]

That is a more customary and traditional way of-of going about it.

[ He sighs softly knowing that this is probably a hard topic for most. ]

I-I'm sorry if it's made you uncomfortable to discuss.

[Voice]

[tailasoldastime]

I... [A swallow before gently shaking his head.] N, n-no. J-just... don't know a-as much... as... I-I mean, I-I haven't s-seen a... death, in my world, f-for a long time, so I can't r-re-...

[He was only an infant, of course he doesn't remember...]

action; sorry I'm so late >>

[funnygirl]

[Belle is stationed at the counter when Helios comes into the library. There are a few people seated in the corner, but otherwise the place is mostly empty. She has a book spread out in front of her and is quite unaware of his presence until he gets close. She glances up and smiles.]

Oh, Helios. Hello. Are you suppose to be working today?

action;

[folklorist]

[ Helios will give her a small wave and a meager little smile. ]

Hm? Oh, ah, I'm fine now actually. [ And he'll show her a cast less arm. ] It's good as new and-and the library needs some tending to, since I've been taking it easy here. I hope I haven't put you out too much with-with my being sparse the last couple of weeks. I'm very appreciative of your helping.

[ Since Twilight's been gone for sometime the library's just been in his and Belle's hands. ]

action;

[funnygirl]

[She shakes her head.] No, not at all. It's not as if I mind the extra time. I would probably be here anyways, as you know.

I'm glad to see you well. [Belle closes the book she'd been looking at, revealing the cover. It's a book on natural magic. Not quite Filial magic, but it sounded close enough that she'd been interested in flipping through it.]

[skysung]

Before coming in to see Helios, Kitten writes out an answer on a piece of paper, a start to the conversation so he does not have to wait while she gathers her thoughts. Slate, chalk, and paper in hand, Kitten trots into the other room to find her friend. She gets his attention with a quiet chirp and approaches to nudge him lightly with her snout before passing over the paper. It reads, "Dragons die so seldom that I have no idea what their traditions are. I can try to honor my mother, but I do not know what she would wish me to do besides live my life as happily as possible with the guardian she chose for me.

Mortals, in my homeland at least, bury the dead. They speak words of farewell, and usually they sing. The singing is my favorite part, if any part of such a thing can be favored."

[folklorist]

Helios will startle slightly upon Kitten nudging him with her snout. His mind has been all over the place today. It's rather easy to sneak up on him at a time like this of all things. Helios will give Kitten a sad smile as he reads the paper.

"I think that's a very good way of honoring and remembering someone." It feels like the same way he went about honoring Elise to be honest. Opening up the school and continuing on with their dream.

"Keeping those that were precious to you close by living on with the strength they gave you is a good way to go about it." He smiles softly.

"People sing back in my world too."