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

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. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I suppose, yes. I...don't really remember what that's like so I can't relate as well as I'd like.

[She looks down at the bags and nods sharply.]

Yes, yes of course. The majority of it should still be fairly warm, too.

Ah. Y-Yes of course. [ He smiles with a bit more life in his expression and color on his face. As if the cloud over him has lifted slightly. ]

Wonderful! I'm quite hungry actually. [ He may have forgotten to eat today, whoops. ]

Well good!

[She gestures and a tablecloth spreads itself out on the ground nearby, a little knoll for picnics and the like.]

Sit. Let's eat before it goes to waste.

Don't mind if I do. [ He smiles as he takes a seat and begins to unpack the various food stuffs Saori made for him. ]

Thank you for all of this Saori. It's-it's been a strange year and this day is always hard for me. It-it makes me...over think things sometimes. S-So I apologize if I've been distant these past few days. That last shift...it didn't help. Every single one I've had here always had Elise alive and well, but never with me as we were back home. It makes me wonder if there's some poetic irony the Malnosso are trying to tell me.

[She sits and helps, naturally. It's mostly sweets, at least. And some fruit and other things. And her own usual food, rice and grilled fish, which set sets away from the rest. She is a little possessive of what's hers, in a way.]

You've done nothing to apologize for. I know what it's like, being without the person you want. And I remember the shifts where Yuuna was here all too well. I suppose I am blessed with an abundance of luck, to have her here now.

As to the Malnosso, I would not put it past them. They are creative in their cruelty. You...have my sympathy there. I wish there was something I could do to bring her back for you. But I am not Shizo. That is beyond me.

[ He gives Saori a grateful smile before he takes some of the food and eats it with a thoughtful expression on his face. ]

Well perhaps one day...perhaps Elise will come here one day. I-I'm not sure if that would be a good thing or not, but I...I wouldn't mind it in the least. [ Though it begs the question as to what would happen between him and Max. ]

Th-though I wouldn't want to hurt M-Max either in the process.

What's to say you couldn't manage both? You have a lot of love, you know.

[She gives him a weary smile and eats a bit of food]

And there are different kinds of love, in any event.

I-I suppose you're right. [ Helios honestly hadn't thought about the prospect of that. It makes him blush a little at the thought of it, his face colors visibly from behind his drink. ]

They've b-both given me so much. I-I would never want to do anything to hurt either of them of course. [ He sighs a bit wistfully. ]

Well it-it's something to think about. Luceti is surprising that way. [ And if it does happen he'll face it when the time comes. ]

Well, I'm sure that Elise would want you to be happy. That's what soulmates do. Yuuna was the same with me, when she found out about Clint. She understood, and I'm sure it'll be the same with Elise if she turns up.

[She takes another bite, thoughtfully peering at him.]

Luceti is a surprising place, yes.

I-I'm sure you're right as well. I'm p-probably just...over thinking things as usual. [ He huffs and shakes his head. He did have the tendency to do that, he isn't going to lie. ]

But I wish you could meet her, the her I-I mean. I think you two would get along rather well actually. Maybe s-someday... [ he smiles at the thought as he takes a few bites of the sandwich in his hand. ]

I think we might. She's absolutely lovely, and she just has this...spark to her when I see her image. So vibrant and alive. Not at all like so many mortals I've met.

It's people like her and Yuuna that make me love your kind, you know.

Ah you noticed that too? Well of course you w-would. [ Saori is a goddess after all but he may have exaggerated it through his dreamscape. Except Helios never would do that with her. Elise's life, energy, and soul were always portrayed exactly as he saw it not matter the circumstance.

His eyes tick towards Saori and a soft smile will touch his lips. ]

Really?

[She remembers what she saw, nothing more, nothing less.

She taps her lower lip in an amused gesture.]

Really. Vivacious, glowing examples of mortalkind, with good hearts and sound minds are beyond priceless. I love being around them, and I think they tend to draw out the best in those around them. My kindred included.

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

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