ϡ - Chapter FiftyThree; recovery [action|voice]

[folklorist]

[ Action ]

[ The draft had left everyone feeling disoriented and he was no exception. It might also have to do with the fact that his right wing was broken, along with his arm and a few ribs. His arm and ribs have healed quite a bit since then. The injuries now only light sprains that he wears a brace on his arm for. His wing, however, is taking much longer to heal and it's left him bed ridden for several days since the draft ended. Despite his general and easy return to almost full healthy Helios has been resting in the clinic for a few days. But today he's probably well enough to get up and have a short stroll around the village, maybe even play a little with Luminair and Maggir who are in Saori's care for the time being. Helios can be found at the bakery, library and then the clinic (when he's finally yelled at and dragged back there for being a bad patient) for most of the day. He looks better than he has been and he's not nearly as tired as he was, so overall he's making a pretty good recovery.

It's later into the evening when everything is winding down that he'll make a voice post over the network. ]

[ Voice ]

I know it-it's been rather rough on most of us these last few days. So I was w-wondering if anyone would like to do a potluck sort of endeavor at-at the welcome center? It could help us all wind down from the obvious thing. But, ah, it's-it's just a suggestion of course.

[ Because food makes everything better, right? ] Also if-if it's not too much trouble would anyone be willing to, ah, talk for a bit? It doesn't have to be about anything in particular, really. I-I've just been having a hard time sleeping lately- [ pain does that to you and of course the creeping sensations he gets when he dreams. Like he's being watched by something and it doesn't go away, it just never seems to go away.] -so perhaps I'll start off with a question. What's your favorite memory of home? It doesn't have to be one specific memory or event. I remember when I was little of going to the town near the castle and getting this fantastic ice cream from the ice cream parlor there. It was homemade, sweet and creamy, absolutely delicious; I haven't had ice cream that lived up to those standards yet. I've always tried to make it myself but it just never tasted quite like that type. [ Helios supposed that was a good thing. It would ruin the true artistry of the ice cream back home. ]

So if you want to talk, feel free to answer. Otherwise I hope you all have a good night.

Comments

[Action]

[dunkinchili]

[The bakery? What a coincidence! This red-headed youth just so happens to drown his sorrows in donuts, so you'll likely be seeing a lot of him, constantly walking up to the counter and back with towering stacks of donuts, scaring the shopkeepers should they even suggest he's eaten too many.

Maybe a donut or two will tumble down from his haphazard pyramid of baked goods and inconvenience Helios while Chili's walking by!]

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Oh no. Man down! Helios might seem a bit spaced out, due to healing and overall tiredness. But his lethargy doesn't go so far as to not notice Chili or his dropped donuts. Helios will jump slightly as he moves out of the other's way to let him pass. That's a whole lot of donuts you got there. ]

Oh! Dear I-I think you dropped some. [ Poor donuts. Such a terrible end for them. ] Do you...need any help carrying those? [ He probably shouldn't overexert himself but honestly Helios can't help but offer a hand. ]

[Action]

[dunkinchili]

Really?!

Well, damn, that just sucks, doesn't it? [Chili glowers at the floor, before lowering himself to the floor to pick one up, keeping the others perfectly balanced, waiter-like. It seems he's unusually used to doing this, which makes the toppled donuts a bit of an odd occurrence (maybe he's never had a stack quite so high before?)] These past two week's been rotten...

[He's surprised by the offer to lend a hand, looking up and staring silently for a moment, before breaking into a small smile.]

Hey, sure! That'd help out a ton, thanks, Mister.

Name's Chili, by the way.

[voice]

[capturespecialist]

[Oh. Crystal knows the feeling -- a hard time sleeping, and all that. Maybe talking wouldn't be such a bad idea.]

I think a potluck sounds nice. [Brightness, food, distractions. No one'd have anything to complain about if she went, since there's bound to be a bunch of people if it happens.] Back home, I volunteer at an orphanage and the kids are great. Teaching them and working with them never feels like a chore, and the money I got from my first official job went towards fixing up the place so it'd be safer and bigger for all the kids there.

[The Academy's her favorite place in all of Violet City -- and there's a school in Luceti, but it's not the same.]

It doubles as a school for them, so they can get a proper education even if they don't have a family, and they're always eager to learn... [She giggles.] Some of them get pretty rowdy and pick on each other, but they're on their best behavior otherwise. It was a lot of fun.

[voice]

[folklorist]

[ When those feelings of drowning plague you it's hard not to wake up. That impenetrable darkness...and that feeling of being watched no matter what. It was a terrible feeling and Helios hates the fact that other were experiencing it. ] I-I thought so. I mean it will at least give people something to get excited about, yes? Now we just need to find the perfect day to do it, weather permitting.

[ And Helios will listen with a smile on his lips as he does so. Being a fellow teacher himself he knows how it feels to be able to help others learn. ] Ah. So you're a teacher as well? It sounds like a lovely place to learn. I wish I could visit it. Having my own school, I certainly can appreciate the hard work that goes into teaching. It's always nice to have eager and open-minded students too. It makes it that much more fun. I'm sure they all appreciate what you're doing for them there.

[voice]

[capturespecialist]

Sort of -- I'm sort of a teacher. I guess it's more like babysitting, but there's not a lot of people qualified to take out the kids on field trips. [She's just being humble, honestly.] The Earl's the only one who puts as much time in as I do, though I'm sure they've gotten a few more volunteers since the last time I was there...

[With hope.]

They seem to have fun, so I can't say I mind. Do you have anything in particular you teach, or do you just do general education?

[windandrain]

[A hard time sleeping doesn't even begin to describe what Saori's dealing with, and Helios probably knows all too well what's been going on with her. After passing out the first night after the draft, she's barely slept since, and every single time she's either woken up in a panic or covered in a cold sweat. It's not really restful, and she's trying to force herself to stay up till she drops.

Which is why, whenever he sends out his broadcast she'll meander into their study and sink into a chair across from him, a cup of coffee clutched in her trembling hands.]

You've been having trouble too, haven't you?

[folklorist]

[ Helios looks up from his book when he hears Saori come in. She looks, well, she looks quite bad and that is saying something. Helios' expression drops as he watches Saori with a careful eye. He nods though at the question. ]

I-I think we all have. At least those of us who-who landed there first. [ Those of us who died and were sacrificed, he wants to say but that sort of thing doesn't need to spoken right now. Helios bites his lip as he shifts in his seat. The dull throb of pain from his wing radiates through his entire body when he does so. ]

How are- [ no that was a stupid question to ask ] -do you want to-to talk about it?

[windandrain]

[It's a long moment before she replies, as she honestly has to think about her willingness to talk about it. But...it is Helios, and ultimately the answer is yes, as there are only three people in any universe she'd trust more.]

I...do. That's why I came.

[She jitters slightly as she raises the cup to her lips, spilling some of the hot liquid onto her hand. It doesn't seem to bother her though, but she's quick to set her drink down and wipe it off with a napkin. She's past the point of feeling mundane pains, with the horrible memories of that...thing...and the agony it'd inflicted on them.]

It...did something...I didn't think was p-p-possible...

[action]

[faithfulflame]

[Rei's seated in the bakery when Helios walks in, her injured leg elevated off the floor as she sits in a booth. A pair of crutches is propped up in easy reach, and there's a handful of pastries in front of her, as well as a book. Looking up when he walks in, she waves and calls out with the affectionate nickname she's given him.]

Hello, Papa.

[action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios turns around at the greeting. His expression vibrant and jovial where as before it was not so much so. ] Oh! Rei, hello dear. How is your leg feeling?

[ He'll stand next to the booth she's occupying for the time being. He doesn't want to have her move her leg after all. ]

[action]

[faithfulflame]

My leg is a little stiff, but I'm ambulatory at least. Ami-chan has me on medicine for the pain. And Fenimore-chan is helping me out too. It's just a sprain, that's all.

[She gestures across the booth to the other side.]

Why don't you sit? Join me?

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

...what is a 'potluck'?

Ah, and of course I would be open to speaking with you, Helios. I have been rather concerned about my friends since the recent incident... perhaps you could shed some light on what exactly has happened. Particularly if it is affecting your sleep...

[Voice]

[folklorist]

Eleytheria! It's good to hear from you. [ Familiar voices and faces are always a good thing after a draft. He hadn't seen the spirit on the battle field at any point in time so he's safe to assume that Eley hadn't gone. ]

It's when people bring all sorts of different foods and desserts to a party or gathering. [ He sighs softly at the spirits words. ] Th-thank you. Your concern is-is touching. The incident... [ His voice sounds distant as he remembers it vividly. His end of the transmission goes silent before there's a harsh intake of breath. ]

Ah it-it's hard to explain really.

[Voice]

[winds_voice]

Ahh, I see. Then perhaps I can try to make something to bring...

[He was always taking food from him and other people after all, wouldn't it be nice to give something back? Even if it likely would be underwhelming!

Helios' tone about what had happened recently leads Eley to grow concerned however.]

Hm... I know I was not involved and that I sometimes find it hard to understand things but... I am open to listen should you wish to explain. What is troubling you?

[Action]

[vambraced]

[Here Helios, have a visitor. Jack had hoped that he might have been present at the clinic after everything he'd been through. It was lucky he was still intact, and as he approaches he doesn't seem to look especially impressed.

...but he is thankful, and he wasn't about to say nothing about what had happened between them. Though the man certainly wasn't in as bad a state as Helios was, he still looked tired and the mark of battle was obvious on his skin.]

Hey. Good to see you're still in one piece. How are you healing?

[Action]

[folklorist]

[ Helios had been reading in bed when Jack comes by. He'll sit up straight as much as his wing allowed, before giving the other man a light wave. ] Oh, gods, I'm glad to see you're alright. I-I'm doing better, thank you for asking.

[ He smiles though it is a tired and worn looking one. ] Loads better than when we first met. I only have a sprained arm now. [ And a broken wing, but he doesn't mention that. Jack can probably see for himself how its bent and limp against Helios' back. Compared to the other proper looking left one. ] And, ah, how are you?

Voice

[that_is_asecret]

A pot-luck you say Mr. Helios? What an interesting suggestion.

[He might show up just because everyone seemed to have such a hard time recovering, it would be quite a snack]

Voice

[folklorist]

Yes! I thought it would be a nice gathering. I-I mean how can you say no to some delicious food shared with good friends and company?

action

[pokeboy]

[ Red catches him just as he's about to leave, having been staying at the housecastletowerthing for some days with Saori's encouragement. Pikachu's on his shoulder, his other two pokémon safely in their balls. ]

Helios? Where are you going?

[ CAUGHT YOU SNEAKING OFF no he's just curious. ]

action

[folklorist]

[ Luminair and Maggir are following Helios around too. The dragons will stop in place and look back at Red and Pikachu. They'll both reply in kind with chirps and happy tail wags. Helios will pause when he's halfway out the door though. ] Ah. I-I was just going to the bakery and to check on the-the library for awhile. Did you want to come along?

[ HE HAS BEEN CAUGHT. Don't tell Saori she would be displeased. ]

[Voice]

[of_sablier]

A song. Someone I knew used to sing it when she was happy. The melody was a sad one, yet when she sang it, it was the most beautiful and peaceful thing in the entire world.

[Voice]

[folklorist]

Ah that sounds...familiar too. Though the melody was a mixture of things. I can't-I can't quite put my finger on it. But it just...stirred something inside me. It made everything better and it made the world seem not so dark when it could be so much more.

[Voice]

[theideaguy]

Favorite memory? Hmmm...

[His favorite memory wasn't one he was going to admit to any old stranger. Besides, since anyone would be able to read it, there's more than one person he wouldn't want knowing it. So how about his second favorite moment instead?]

Probably just after Zuko got coronated. All of the team and our friends went to the Earth Kingdom to visit General Iroh's tea shop, celebrating the end of a long battle and the beginning of a new life. Of course, not everyone appreciated the artwork that I did there, but there's probably not been a time that I've been happier.

[At least that last line is true.]

Also, if there's food, count me in!

[Voice]

[folklorist]

That definitely sounds like a very good memory to keep! [ Artwork appreciation aside. ]

You're Sokka, yes? We've spoken before...but I-I assume you don't remember me? [ Helios was pretty sure that Sokka had left Luceti awhile back. ]

You're friends with Aang, aren't you?