folklorist | ϡ - Chapter FiftyThree; recovery [action|voice]

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ϡ - Chapter FiftyThree; recovery [action|voice]

[ 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.

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[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.

[ 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. ]

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?

Ah I see. That's very good to hear you're being well cared for. I-I apologize for not dropping by sooner. [ But his wing had left him in somewhat of a messy state. He's been fatigued and barely conscious for last few days. ]

Oh! Yes o-of course. [ He'll readily take a seat, taking care to not have his wings touch the back of the booth. Though he still winces in pain when he shifts around. ]

I understand. I...don't really blame you.

[She reaches over and takes his hand, giving it a solid squeeze.]

What happened to you, Papa?

[ He huffs a laugh as he gives Rei an apologetic look. Of course she understands, Rei wasn't unreasonable in those regards. ]

I, ah, got injured p-protecting a man named Jack. W-We were surrounded a-and I was rather tired and injured from the fight you s-saved me from in the hours before hand. I guess I just...was overcome by too many third party members.

[ He'll look at Rei's hand lightly touching his own. ] I honestly thought I-I wasn't going to make it out alive. I blacked out after they broke my wing. But I awoke in one of the medical facilities that came to aid us. [ Safe to say he's not doing that every again. ]

[Of course he was hurt helping someone else. Because he was a good man. Hearing it confirms, yet again, that her "father" is infinitely better than the one she was born with. And once again reminds her how lucky she was, to have shared that shift with him.]

Well, you're alright. Safe and sound. And I take it Jack-san is too, yes? Because he had you protecting him.

Yes I have to express my gratitude to those who helped me back to safety. I-I think Jack had, I don't remember much after the fight though. [ He'll go around later to talk with people. ] He's fine last I recall and I'm relieved to know that.

Good. Good. I'm glad to hear it.

[But what comes next...maybe not so much.]

What happened? Before I arrived. I gathered that something happened with time...and all those bodies...

Ah well. [ Helios clearly looks disconcerted and uncomfortable even being asked it. It was a strange and painful experience that everyone was still recovering from. ]

The cultists made a bomb. And-and I think it killed everyone. I-I don't know what happened, but we wound up alive again but back in time prior to the bomb going off. [ He shudders thinking about the creature they were clearly sacrificed to summon or feed, it was one of the two. His voice is barely over a whisper then as he speaks. ] They're doing something large scale. They're trying to summon or-or control or feed something that's old and p-powerful.

[ His gaze is a bit haunted and distant before he continues. ] I don't know what it is Rei, but it's not good and every time I, no we, sleep it's there w-watching us. How do you fight something you can't even see but can see you perfectly fine?

[A bomb? Like...what happened on that mission? Rei's eyes widen with surprise and sudden horror as he speaks up. She'd know they were sacrificing people...but to summon something?]

L-like...Metallia? [The demon that lives in the sun, the source of the Dark Kingdom's power.] You-you mean...they're trying to do something with a demon?

[She swallows.]

And you still...you see it? The people that were hit by this bomb?

If it's anything like an demon then yes. I fear it's s-something like that. Only this seems to be much more powerful and much older than any demon. G-Given how many people they-they tried to sacrifice to it. [ Sadly that sort of thing was somewhat indicative of a demons powers.

Helios bites his lip at that question. He'll only nod silently in response. ] Yes that's right.

Can you...describe it?

[She doesn't want to press, but...this feels extremely important.]

The feeling of being watched, I mean. Not...whatever it was.

Edited 2014-06-13 02:50 (UTC)

It usually comes after the nightmare, which is like drowning in a sea of d-darkness. It makes your skin crawl and your hands shake. Like you don't know which direction to look because you can't see it, but you know it sees you p-perfectly clear. A sense of foreboding washes over you too.

[ He'll swallow thickly as he looks back at Rei with a sad smile. ] I-I'm sure it's different for everyone though.

[She closes her eyes with a small shiver and nods, expression numb. It sounds absolutely horrifying. Like...]

I...understand, in a way. I've had visions like that. Bad ones. I'm...sorry you have to see such things.

Is there anything I can do?

[ Helios gives Rei an appreciative look. ] I-I'm not sure there is. I just hope these feelings and these nightmares go away soon.

[ They couldn't last forever, could they? ]

Well, I'm sure they will. Remember that all things fade with time, and good memories.

[ He smiles though it's a tired smile. ]

Yes I suppose that saying is true. I guess I'll just have to make some more good memories to, ah, wash away the bad ones the draft left me with. S-Starting with a speedy recovery for my wing. The faster this heals the easier it'll be for me to keep my mind off of things. I probably shouldn't be walking around as much, to be honest, but I-I'm just so restless...

Well here.

[Rei's hand glows slightly and she reaches for Nala and the Charter, the mark on her forehead glittering.]

Let me help you.

Oh! Dear you don't h-have to do that. [ Helios looks like he's worried. ]

You're still recovering too after all. I-I don't want it to take you even longer to get better.

It's fine. It's not my energy anyway.

[And boop! Have some magical healing.]

I don't want to fall out of practice, you know.

It's not? [ Helios didn't know much about the Charter mark or its magic so that's a little interesting to hear.

His eyes will widen when Rei begins to heal him a little. The dull ache of his wing subsides for a moment and it's more bearable now. ] Ah. Th-that feels wonderful, thank you.

Not as Lirael-chan explained it to me, no...

[She beams at him, glad to have helped.]

But I...don't think I could teach you. It needs a mark, and I don't know how to make that mark.

I see. So where does the energy come from then? The Charter I-I assume, or something like that? [ He is just guessing here. ]

Hm. I do wonder how I would look with a charter mark on my forehead. [ He's just being silly, don't mind him. He'll knit his brows as he tries to imagine it though. ]

It does. At least, I think so? Sabriel-san never really explained, and...you know how talkative Lirael-chan could be.

[The distance in the honorifics couldn't be more stark. She knows the first one is back, and with her memories, but she's avoided Rei for whatever reason. Which is fine. Live and learn.]

I've just muddled through what I could. Healing, the diamond spell, and lights.

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