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

[folklorist]

Mm well there's always room for people to stay. [ But honestly the castle was just too big for the two of them now. ] Perhaps we could get more pets...

[ NO BAD HELIOS. No more pets. ] But it's really not the same.

[ He'll pause in this thinking as he nods to Saori. ] Slumber party...y-yes of course.

[windandrain]

More? [She shakes her head.] No, no we really don't need more pets. But people would be nice. Perhaps...we should look for likely new feathers, in July?

[She offers him a cheerful, if...somewhat strained smile.]

I...think it will help, at least. Having someone to hug at night...that would be good.

[folklorist]

[ He smiles a little more genuinely this time. ] I think that would be good too. We haven't been getting too many new feathers as of late, have we? But either way we may as well offer up the chance for anyone who wants to take it.

[ He still looks a little unsure but mainly about himself. After all this isn't a normal ritual for him and he hopes he doesn't make it anymore awkward than it has to be. ]

It does help...on those nights when you can't sleep. [ He remembers that well enough when he used to be plagued by nightmares. ]

[windandrain]

We'll have to see who comes through then.

[Because he's right. It was a lot emptier after Daisy, Makie, Yuuna, Poland and Frederik left...]

And...yes, I think it will help. Just...for a little while. Till things settle down. I'll come down to your room tonight then.

[And with that, the matter of beds is settled in her head.]

What sort of lights do you think we should get, though?

[folklorist]

I'm sure between the two of us we can find someone or someones. [ Helios smiles happily as he thinks on the last occupants. This house was definitely better when it was full of love and life. Helios doesn't say anything else on the matter. He can survive a few nights of this. ]

I'm not sure. Something soft, but warm and...soothing, maybe?

[windandrain]

[She nods in agreement.]

How about something a little more cheerful? Something colorful. Tiki-lights? The ones from Hawaii?

[folklorist]

Ah! Yes those would perfect! Or if you'd prefer something more homely we could even put some lanterns. They wouldn't be too hard to make on our own...I don't think. [ It would give them something to do as well. Little projects like that could help a tone when it came to reeling in unnecessary thoughts. ]

[windandrain]

Mmm? [She shakes her head.] No, I think I'd rather not. Those have special meaning.

[She uses them to mark the passing of her family, and for holidays to mark ancestors.]

But we could easily make tiki ones.

[folklorist]

Mm alright. That's fair and they'll be just as easy to make, really. [ Helios kinda wants to make ones modeled after specific deities. ]

[windandrain]

Yes, that sounds great. We can even make different Loa, if you want!

[Okay, she sounds excited about this, really.]

[folklorist]

Mm I think that would be wonderful. Though it's going to look strange when people come into a castle and there's a Hawaiian theme setup inside. Although Luceti is probably the one place where people won't find it all that odd.

[ Helios laughs a little as he says that. ]

[windandrain]

Well it doesn't have to be Hawaiian. We can make our own Loa, right? My family's faces, and Ra's and...all sorts of things.

[folklorist]

That sounds like it would be fun. [ Ra loa though. Helios laughs at the image of Ra finding out he's done that. ]

We can make them in our very own style.

[windandrain]

Then it's settled. Burritos. Loa lamps. And the dryer to keep bad thoughts at bay.

[folklorist]

[ Helios huffs a laugh at that. ] Quite the combination but I think it'll suffice for now. Now we just need to recruit new people to stay here and we'll all set!