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. ]

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...Helios, my immediate family includes a selkie and my sister in law is a Japanese fox spirit. I think a guy from another reality is probably par for the course here.

[He was even mostly human. He honestly could not see his parents minding. They'd probably be intrigued.]

I- I don't know. It's... the offer's there though. It'll always be there.

And wh-what would they say about what I've done?

[ His voice is soft, sad, and slightly pained as he asks that. It's not that he's trying to be difficult, but many magic communities probably wouldn't take lightly to the fact of what he's done. ] What do they think about a foolish man who tries to summon demons and gods to converse with them?

[ He's looking at the floor now his eyes never meeting Max's ]

[Max cocks his head to one side slightly, regarding Helios with a fond look.]

Helios, my grandfather was instrumental in allowing the Sidhe unfettered access to the human world.

[He lets out a small sigh.]

Honestly, they'd probably ask how it went and could you give them diagrams. And even if they didn't, they wouldn't care because I love you and that's all they need to care about.

[ He looks back at Max surprised and sympathetic. ] I-I didn't realize. [ He purses his lips and just nods in agreement. Max was right in a way. No one could possibly react as badly as the people of his world. ]

I-I just...worry about you and-and what my mistakes might lead to. I don't want you to-to suffer for something I did. [ It's always been what's held him back before, no reason for it to stop now. ]

And I don't want him to make you make you s-suffer either.

[Max shrugs. He's come to terms with it. It's his family history.]

He was a diplomat. He helped to broker the treaty with them. Helped us win the war but also... well, Brendan would argue the point with me. Violently.

[Really really bad reaction to that new. Yup.]

I make my own choices. I decide. And I decided I don't want you cutting yourself of from people, from me, because you're afraid of what might happen if the stars align wrong. It's no way to live.

Ah I-I see. Politics, especially family ones, is-is never a pleasant experience. [ Unless everyone got along, which was rare in this day and age. Helios will huff and smile, his eyes ticking downward as he feels a soft rush of heat touch his cheeks. ]

It's-it's not, is it? Ra w-would have said the same thing, Varron too. [ He'll fiddle with one of the unopened books on the table. ] I-I've tried to get better at that. Being here has helped immensely. But when I return home... [ he's not going to remember any of this and all this growth and progress he's made will have been for naught. ]

It's just something I've always d-done. Ever since-since I was little, it's a hard habit to break...

Not really no. It's... kind of what caused the big argument I had with Brendan before I came here. He found out about my grandfather. He- he blamed me.

[He manages a wan smile, but it fades quickly, a bitter twist of his lips. It had hurt.

It's much nicer focusing on Helios's face when he looks like that.]

Sound like smart guys to me. [His expression falters when Helios has to bring that up. Part of him would love to go home, but the thought of giving this up, of giving up his friends and Helios... it makes him feel sick.]

You managed here. You can manage back at home. I know you can. You're tough. Tougher than you think.

Brnedan...he was very close to you, wasn't he? [ Helios sounds a bit thoughtful and dour. The situation and argument couldn't have been anything good. He gives Max a wry smirk and laughs a little. ]

Oh please, don't t-tell them that if they ever drop by. E-mun Ra's ego is already big enough, Varron too. But I-I suppose you're right. I have support here though, but maybe I'll remember that I have it back home too.

Edited 2013-10-08 02:16 (UTC)

I- yeah. We lived together for two years. I mean... we weren't together. He was just a kid really. But we- I wanted to help him. [It's so easily becoming past tense now. Might be even if he gets back home because he can't imagine Brendan trusting him again.

He manages a small smile when talk turns to an easier subject.]

I'll try not to, gorgeous. My ego is already big enough for both of us.

I hope so.

[ He won't say anything in response to that but he does give Max's hand a small squeeze. ] I-I'm sure you tried your best to, dear.

[ Sometimes it's beyond the scope and power of a person. Helios nudges Max in his side before his gives him a soft kiss on the cheek. ] Yes, well, I'll be the one to balance it out then if it gets to big to fit through the door.

[Sometimes trying isn't enough. Sometimes you can't do anything.

Max turns his head, capturing Helios's lips instead.]

The world thanks you in advance for that, I'm sure.

[ Oh, well, that catches him by surprise. Helios doesn't mind though as he closes his eyes for a brief second before pulling away. ]

Oh, yes, I'm sure. Nevermind that I've saved the world twice since opening the school. [ He chuckles. ] Well, not by myself I wouldn't want to add to our ego.

Saved the world twice, huh? You really should have more of an ego. I just bum around with a shop and occasionally illegally acquire rare objects.

[ He laughs and shakes his head just a bit as he stares up at the library's ceiling. ] Ah, well, it's not without help you know? I-I have to give credit to my students and-and the other mythica that helped me as well.

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

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