folklorist | ϡ - Chapter TwentyFour; Hello again [action/accidental voice]

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ϡ - Chapter TwentyFour; Hello again [action/accidental voice]

[ The journal might pick up rustling and a brief intake of air before turning off.

He was alive and that was the cool ground beneath him, wasn’t it? It wasn’t saturated with his blood nor was it amidst the rain forest. Instead he was staring up at that beautiful cherry blossom tree at the top of the hill. It was a startling awareness that overtook him in that brief period of time from when he opened his green eyes to sitting up. His clothes were no longer marred with the blood he had lost and looking at them, despite the lack of blood and the shock it would have brought being missing, everything still came rushing back along with the shock. He didn’t want to remember it, those teeth and those claws tearing into him. God he never wanted to remember it and yet here he was remembering like it was only yesterday. His last dying breath was while he was looking into the faces of his two best friends as he lay dying at their feet. He looked at his arms, legs, and back, hands shaking slightly before steadying. His wings were fine as well all in one piece even and he moved them just to make sure he wasn’t dreaming…

He was fine and there was no more pain besides being alive in this place again. No he can’t think like that; he had people here he had to protect and people here he cared about. It was all so…disorienting. Like countless others Helios had been brought back from the dead, like necromancy or...immortality. It was a dream many men in his world would love having. Albeit what they make you give for such a life here…was it all truly worth it?

This was Luceti. This was the town, the same town, with those same individuals that entrusted him to put up barriers to keep away their fears and add a slightly deeper sense of protection. The barriers. Green eyes widened as he realized what his death had meant. ]

Oh no.

[ He had to go…he had to go and check on them. In his attempt at getting up he’ll turn on the voice function once more on the journal. There’s more sound of movement as Helios gets up the voice function still on as he mumbles something under his breath but he doesn't turn off the feed, absentminded as usual. He’ll be stumbling down from the hill making his way towards the appropriate buildings. He had to make sure everything was in place and functioning. He didn’t know what complications his death might have caused and it was best he make sure. He shouldn’t be wandering around like this but he doesn’t care. He does care about who sees him though, so he’ll try as much as possible to steer clear of people’s view. It obviously isn’t so easy for him since he is a derp coupled with the post-return imbalance and therefore he is stumbling and not paying much attention while he’s walking. He doesn’t know about his friend’s announcement, of course, but Helios knows one of them, Frederic or Giles, would have told people by now. God he hates that he had to force that on one of them at all. He didn’t want to see them…not yet. He put them both through so much…it-it wasn’t right. And yet he was so tired and just wanted to go home. Home, home, he didn’t even know what that meant anymore, really. Was this place a home when sent into battle and never told a single thing? Was it a home when friends were made to watch those they cared about die? It wasn’t and yet he was stuck here…they all were stuck here. And he just…had to cope that’s all they could ever do.

If anyone is nearby House 7, House 55 or the Playground or just in the vicinity walking between those places you might just find that blonde haired man with green eyes stumbling and using the trees to right himself each time he does trip. He’s not…paying much attention to anything as he’s still very much out of it. Too much thinking and he obviously needs people to snap him out of it. Or not. Just another day in Luceti though and Helios is finally back. ]

((ooc; Sorry for the tl;dr, derp. Also timeline doesn't really matter since Helios will be wandering aimlessly for a few hours. Probably until nighttime. ))

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That would be wonderful, actually. A-And if you'd like some assistance, I'm not half bad around a stove...w-well, under ordinary circumstances, at least...but I'd love to learn how.

[He takes a seat on the edge of the fountain, licking the powder off his fingers.]

She was quite fond of you.

...I miss her.

Well I already blew up the apartment once. I'm sure you having a go at the stove could be covered up by another one of my spells backfiring. [ So true. He just says that jokingly.

Helios will take a seat next to him. Pulling out one of the pastries with chocolate on it. ] She was?

Mm I know you do. I don't think the feeling ever truly goes away when someone leaves here.

It would hardly be the first time I've cooked for myself, Helios. I did live alone for nearly seven years in Sunnydale alone. I was once left almost entirely in charge of Thanksgiving, as a matter of fact.

[Pulling out a pastry...entirely at random.]

Oh, yes. Besides me, you were the only one she even considered trusting to help her with learning the magic of this place.

Yes but...with your eyes and all. Unless you cook without your glasses on. [ Hum. Munching on that tasty pastry making a pleased noise as he does. Whoops. ] Thanksgiving...we should do something this year. And Christmas.

Ah, I'm flattered. I didn't know she thought so highly of me. [ He looks a bit embarrassed since it'd be a snowballs chance in hell for him to ever get an apprentice back home. ]

That's why I said 'under normal circumstances'. [Giles nudged Helios in the ribs.] Pay attention. Still, it should only be another week or so, the way they've been healing so far. You can show me after that - probably best that we minimize the chance of accident as much as possible.

[Hm...] I'd love to, if the experiments cooperate this year. I spent last Thanksigving thinking I was an entirely different person. And I was sent home before Christmas came around.

[Yeah, autumn and winter are...going to be quite the milestone to survive.]

You made a good impression.

...depending on what point she ever returns from, of course, she might not need either of our help in magic. She successfully managed to take on three goddesses back home, Helios. She didn't win, but...three vengeful Tibetan goddesses. Holding them off was really the best we could have hoped for.

[ He's still out of it okay? Only been back from the dead for a few hours here. Gosh! He will just sway with that nudge laughing a little. ] Right, yes, of course you did say that didn't you? [ Oh dear. ] I'm just glad they are healing. I was getting worried they wouldn't at all, given that it's taken so long.

[ Sigh. ] It's a bit sad that we have to plan around the experiments of this place. Maybe we'll get lucky and nothing will happen at all. [ He can totally be optimistic about this still, right? ]

Three goddesses...that's amazing. She certainly is powerful. Even if it was just holding them off, that's still an incredible feat. Not anyone can wield that kind of power.

[The absentmindedness is part of why he loves you, Helios.] You and I both. But everything's...well, a bit more Claude Monet and a bit less "The Haunter in the Dark."

And we have a month without an experiment on record. Quite recently, in fact. A-And Buffy tells me that the December experiment was downright pleasant.

So there is hope.

[Giles will share one of the cake slices with you, Helios.]

She's probably the most powerful witch on Earth, by my time.

((ooc: Also, I saw you are still up for the log between Frederic, Helios, and Giles. I...don't suppose you'd be up for continuing on with the log between these two and Robert, would you?))

[ It's part of who he is and it's only gotten worse today. ] That's an interesting way of putting it. As long as it's not Picasso or Dali, Monet sounds manageable at least.

A month without, yes, but... [ the draft. He's not going to bring that up. Not anymore, not after they put it behind them. ] Sometimes they are pleasant, very much so. I just wish there was a balance or-or some normalcy to it all.

[ Helios will readily accept that cake slice. It's been too long since he's had a good slice of cake. ]

Most powerful witch...hm. I'm not sure who constitutes as one in my world. Certainly there are families more powerful than others. The-the Council is also made up of very powerful magicians. I'm not sure any one overpowers the other.

((ooc: Oh yeah! I'm sorry for dropping the ball on that. Fff this summer class man killing me! Makes me want to give myself a lobotomy sometimes. I definately will get to both logs though. C:))

It's comparatively pleasasnt, actually. Although there were a few days in the middle where things did range into Dali territory. [Mostly during the draft.

But they have put the draft behind them, at least for now, and Giles certainly won't be changing that.]

There are points where everything is normal. The...two weeks or so between New Feather cycles and experiments, for example. Those can be quite peaceful.

...almost to the point of boredom, sadly enough.

[Giles will make sure there is plenty of cake to be had, Helios. And hey, from the taste of it, this is definitely some of Regal's best.]

I should hope the ones in charge of making the important decisions and judging the actions of others would have some power on their side.

((ooc: I figured you'd just forgotten. No biggie, I just figured I'd remind ya so you can think of us when you have the time.))

They are usually. Which is nice for the new people that drop in.

[ Helios readily agrees with that sentiment. Or maybe he's just really hungry and cake is the best thing ever! ]

They, they do. Considerable amount actually. But there's always someone out there who doesn't like that fact, tries to stop it, and attacks them like it would make much of a difference. I can't say I don't dislike them- [ Especially after what they did to him. ] -but they protect the magic community as a whole and that's what is most important.

((ooc: I'd never forget about yooou /shot If I don't give myself a lobotomy soon I'll reply to it. No that is not a dramatization. I am seriously considering it. >:[ GD Organic!))

[They will get real food later, if only to prolong the time before they have to return to their separate apartments. But for now - cake.]

...yet again, they sound very much like the Council to me.

But the Council is gone by my time, and the world is better for it.

((ooc: Nooooo that would damage your brain! I love your brain. /pets it.))

I'm not sure if mine would be better without them, to be honest. They do bridge the gap sometimes between rogue magicians and the human world. Punish those who misuse and practice illegal magic. [ Like the blood magic he used. ]

I'm sure there's another parallel universe out there that has it set that way though. Makes you wonder how everything changes from simple little things like that.

((ooc: Fiiiine no lobotomy. ))

...do you remember the experiment where I turned up as a different person, Helios?

That entire universe came into being because Buffy never came to Sunnydale.

I do. [ Licking the remains of that chocolate cake off his fingers. He stops and moves his hand away to take on a more thoughtful pose. ]

Never came to Sunnydale at all? It's amazing what one simple action taken or not taken can cause. Ah, not that the outcome was probably amazing for those in it. But...the different aspects that affect different courses of reality. It makes one consider the consequences of their actions..

You remember the sort of person I was, Helios. The outcome was far from pleasant for the humans of Sunnydale.

To make a long story unfortunately short, the entire town was under the direct rule of vampires for several years. When Buffy did finally arrive, she was killed that very night. And the world actually did end a couple of years later.

Your world doesn't seem to get much of a break, does it.

Mm it makes me what to try even harder to get you to visit mine. If only for a vacation. [ It's a soft laugh that escapes him. But a genuine one that he truly means what he says. ]

Ah, no, that'd be selfish of me, wouldn't it? Do you think anyone else would want to come and visit?

Willow would. Possibly Dawn. Buffy might, just for the, um, inherent novelty value.

[Giles can't quite keep the sad edge off of his smile.]

...if I had the choice, Helios, I'd quite like to live in your world.

If there was only a way to replicate it. [ A sigh escapes him as he leans back up against the fountain's edge eyes closing for a few moments. ]

It's almost the same, really. Just a little less...hostile. I-I mean there are still problems...many problems. Nothing is truly perfect after all.

Supernatural beings aren't inclined by instinct to maim, murder, and devour.

And it's definitely still there, which is something I still doubt about my world.

...still, perhaps there's another version of me in your world already, Helios?

Well being through everything you have...I'm not surprised you have your doubts.

Interesting...I never considered it a possibility. But there might be! And there might be a version of me in yours. I wonder what I would be doing in your world...how different would we be.

[ He's very curious about this now. So many possibilities! ]

I don't know.

I think it would depend on the...sorts of people we had around us. Whether our friends and family from home also existed in these different realities.

If I didn't know Buffy, for example...I'd be a very different person.

[He finds that the thought is...almost comforting, either way.] I might even still be working for either Council.

True. I-I would hope our families would be with us too. I-I mean they might be different as well, correct? [ Said a little hesitantly. ]

I suppose I would be too if I didn't know Varron. [ A pause. ] I don't think I would have ever met Elise without him...pushing me.

[ More like leaving him to die in front of her dorm room door and oh god the memories. His horrible poem and everything just...so bad. But Helios is smiling at the memory. ]

Yes, they might. We might have been born to different families, or our families might have survived in a different form. [Said...without much hesitation. Or emotion. Giles could seriously take or leave his family...or could, back when it existed. The Scoobies are his family. Or were. It's complicated.

Hm? A happy memory with regards to Elise? Giles doesn't usually pry, but...hey, happy memories. Worth a try. He passes over a cupcake.]

When was this?

[ Helios nods taking that cupcake and peeling back the wrapper but pausing before he takes a small bite. ]

Senior year of college. It-it was supposed be serious, but he made it into a joke! The nerve. [ Not said in the least bit serious. ]

I, I didn't know until I laid eyes on her that she was my...soulmate. I just...you just feel something resonant within you. Like nothing you've ever felt or thought you could feel before. It's not like...love at first sight or something silly like that. [ He'll make a slight brushing off motion as he explains. ]

More profound, more...real and natural. It feels like...another part of you is there with them. I think she knew as well. I...I think she playing hard to get with me too. [ Helios just laughs. ] But that's just how she was, teasing, I mean. [ Helios looks embarrassed at this next bit. ]

I wrote her a poem, Giles. Ah, gods it was horrible. I don't even think she cared much for poetry.

[ But it didn't matter at the time, really. It was so sappy but he was so content, even with her laughing at him, that he honestly could never take offense looking back on it even now. ] But I did anyway.

[Giles tries not to laugh at the mention of the poem - genuine, honest effort, dammit, covering his mouth with one hand and averting his gaze. But his shaking shoulders give him away - it's a second or two before he replies.] Sometimes it, um, really is the thought that counts. Well, that and how amusing and pitiable the attempt behind the thought is. [God help him, the first time he tried asking Jenny on a date remains one of his dearest and most embarrassing memories ever.]

Writing a poem for someone traditionally requires a great deal of enthusiasm.

It, It meant you had noticed her. If she felt the same, that's, um, probably what she appreciated the most, in the end.

[Giles takes a quick look in the bags and...good Lord, did they really eat all those sweet so quickly? Helios' sampling options are definitely getting low.]

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