folklorist | ϡ - Chapter TwentyFive; the price of battle [voice/action]

[ It’s almost surreal, really, how at one moment the person you cared deeply about is there next to you alive and well and the next moment not. If he had only been a little bit faster a little bit more conscious of where Giles was during all that chaos...none of this would have happened. Instead he’s sitting in his room and has been for the past few hours thinking of something to say. Something to notify everyone out there who knew him that Giles was dead. The pain doesn’t ebb or go away but only gets stronger and hard to focus on something else. The scene replays out in his mind on constant repeat until he has to shake his head and just focus on something else. This is real it’s not a dream or something equally as mythical. It’s nothing but real and nothing but the price one has to pay for living here.

There’s a shaky sigh and a deep breath that comes out on the other end for anyone listening into the broadcast. The voice that speaks next it not colorful or usual in its tone it’s not anything, really. Lifeless, dulled, colorless in its presentation. He wants to apologize, but refrains. ] For those of you…who, who didn’t know…didn't hear. [ didn't see. ]

Giles, he—[ another semi-profound pause. He told Buffy he would do this for her, for him. And he will make that one last leap. ] he’s dead. It happened yesterday in all the, the fighting. S-So he should be back in, in about a week. The twenty-fifth. [ He doesn’t know why but it’s odd saying that. Odd but true. He and many others are proof of that here. ] Please keep an eye out for him. If-if you don't know what he looks like...he’s a bit taller than me. Has a British accent, wears glasses, and has brown graying hair. He might need some assistance, even if he’ll say otherwise. Just help him...when he gets back I'm sure you all will though.

Th-thank you.

[ Shaken and exhausted he’s not sure which is worse. He can't stay here, not right now, he needs to walk and get away from the confinements of this room. And so he does, he'll be sitting on one of the bridges, the one near house P and G. And one might see Helios simply staring out over the running water and they recognize him as a man who lost someone, someone easily capable of being family to him. He'll wipe away at the stray tears every now and then and compose himself for those passing by. A brother…a friend…

They comeback. It's a mantra in his head; he can't help but feel the Malnosso will trick him again and do the opposite though. It puts him on edge, makes him afraid of just how badly Giles will return next week. More profound is the pain that stems from once again not being able to protect someone he cared deeply about. First Elise, and now Giles. He can't protect anyone from the aftermath of his announcement either, but they all had a right to know, a right which is not his to deny them. Or perhaps it was? He's not even sure himself anymore. It will be the toughest week Helios, and many others, will have to endure. It could have been avoided...and that thought alone sparks a small bit on anger in his otherwise tired mental state. ]

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[Yeah, he... knows the feeling, unfortunately.]

Okay. Do you want to meet up somewhere, like Seventh Heaven?

Seventh Heaven? That sounds fine. [ Now that he thinks about it he is somewhat hungry... ]

I'll be there in a few minutes.

Okay. I'll see you there.

[Helios will find Link already at a table - warp songs come in handy, sometimes - and staring thoughtfully at a chocolate milkshake. Luceti is strange, sometimes.]

[ A few minutes later Helios arrives. He looks a little worse for wear, tired, and just out of it in general. He'll spot Link at a table and give a small smile and a wave. He'll be taking one of those seats with an audible sigh. Helios eyes that milkshake just to break the silence. ]

That looks delicious. I didn't know they made those here.

They make a lot of stuff. I had their hot chocolates a lot in winter. [Yeah, that smile looks... really sad, actually.]

[He sighs a little, then smiles properly.] Do you want to get anything?

Hot chocolate is the best thing to keep out the cold during the winter. [ A small smile. Helios will lean back in his chair eyes closing. ]

Perhaps I'll just have some tea. [ He's sadly not one for having much of an appetite right now. ]

Uh huh... well. [Fidgeting with the napkin awkwardly, he says softly,] I couldn't feel the cold last winter. Because of my penalty.

[And on to the crux of the matter.]

They took that away from you? [ Helios can't feel the cold either, Link. But his is for an entirely different reason. ] I'm sorry. It doesn't seem like much but it's always the little things that make us realize. Not that the cold is something nice really. But that can definitely become dangerous. Not that has ever stopped the Malnosso before.

Yeah - cold and heat and pain. People think that not being able to hurt is good, but... [He shows Helios his arm - there's a few scars there, including burn scars, some not-yet-healed scratches, and some fading bruises.] You can't tell when you're getting hurt.

[ Helios' eyes might widen a little at that before diverting away, his hands also might grip the edge of the table just a little. But it's not as if the other knows the inherent trauma such things cause him. He'll retain his composure besides those minor actions. ]

I-I can only im-imagine. It's horrible what they take away sometimes. I suppose everything is worth a price. Equal exchange or something of that nature.

[ Like his reading. ]

[...Oops. Quietly, he drops his hand back to his lap, hiding his arm from view.] Sorry.

I guess they think that being able to live is worth it... [He shakes his head. It still stinks.] They can give back what they take away, though. It just takes a while.

Ah! No, it-it's fine. [ It's not like he wants to make Link feel as if he did anything wrong because he didn't. Still Helios will manage a small smile shaking his head. ]

I suppose they have a point. I know men in my world who would give anything for eternal life. Even at the sake of losing something precious like their soul. But at least here it can be returned even if it takes a while.

[Well, if he says so. He'll still give Helios a weak, apologetic smile.]

I guess... I don't think I'd want to lose my soul if I had to come back from something like that again. Just not being able to feel was bad enough. [He worries his lip for a moment, then softly asks,] What did you lose? If you don't mind saying.

Mm not many people do, but there are some. [ Helios looks back at Link. He hasn't told anyone yet, about his loss. Helios will let out a mirthless laugh just then. ] It's funny. The Malnosso, I mean. It's funny how they use irony so well here.

[ His eyes will just be staring into the table as if Helios was trying to burn a hole through it. Helios sighs closing his eyes and looking away. ] I...I can't read. Anything not symbols or words it's just...it doesn't register.

...Oh. [Link isn't particularly big on reading anyway, but he knows that he isn't everyone - and he first met Helios over a play.]

[He's silent for a moment, then finally hesitantly ventures,] I - well, I want to practise reading, because I'm still not very good at it. If you want, I... could read for you?

ϡ - Chapter TwentyFive; the price of battle [voice/action]

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