ϡ - Chapter Thirty; Winter Wonderland antics [Voice|Action]

[folklorist]

[ Good morning Luceti if you’re in town today, and probably in the surrounding areas as well, you’ll notice some large lumbering pure white figures walking about some might even be flying. No, no, they aren’t harmful in the least, although the creatures they take after might argue otherwise, and they are not yetis or other such things that come out in the thickest of snowfalls. What they however are the products of one derpy headmaster feeling the Christmas cheer thanks to the effects the Malnosso have put in place and him waking up very early in the morning after the snowfall last night to make said creatures. There will be various mythological snow creatures walking about today though none of them can make much noise or do much of anything, they’re pretty docile actually and if you wanted to you could probably even ride on top of them they won't mind, really! There will be a dragon with icicles for horns and teeth following Helios around as he makes his way into town. He’ll be there for a good portion of the day also making a majestic Griffin, and a snow unicorn. That’s not to say these are the only things that’ll be popping up. Other mythological creatures might be seen around as well. Phoenixes, mandrakes, minotaurs, kitsunes, Kodama in the more forested areas and even Nue. The list is really endless and well Helios has been having probably too much fun doing this. Some of them will be life sized, but nothing too extravagant or outlandish, lets say the tallest would be around ten or so feet tall, while others miniature. They’ll all be moving and just mulling about and you can be sure they’re movements are quite like the real things if you’ve ever encountered one.

They can be interacted with through the entire day with Helios sometimes in accompaniment. And later into the afternoon Helios will be found in the town square with his snowy dragon companion making your standard issued snowmen, each one getting their own complimentary hat, scarf, and pipe. He'll take a break and eventually pull out his journal for a short little network post. ]

Ah there's nothing like freshly fallen snow to make a good sturdy snowman out of, is there? I used to do it all the time back in Romania. I believe there was even a game that whoever had the best would have to make hot chocolate for everyone...with extra marshmallows. [ A thoughtful hum. ]

I was thinking...has Luceti ever had a snowman or ice sculpture competition? I've seen some extremely good ones around as of late. I think we could have a rather good turn out, quite the competition too, all in good fun though!

[ He may not be able to summon mythica into existence here, without the dangers of the side effects it would impose on his own world, but that doesn't mean he can't build them as an alternative! And because he just has to ask... ] Are there any creatures in your worlds that can control this element or are at least generally associated with it? Yuki-onna is one of the better known ones in mine. A tall and beautiful woman with black hair and blue lips. She's said to be quite cold, figuratively and literally, but she also has a more motherly and good side to her. The Snow Queen is another one, based on Yuki-onnas, and then there's even Jack Frost too. All are very similar in the fact that they deal with this element. And let's not forget Yetis, interesting beings yetis are. They have quite knowledge of mountaineering not that I expected any less of course.

[ He totally knows this from experience guys. Not like anyone is surprised anymore. ] I suppose Santa Claus can work too tis the season after all! I wonder if the people here had anyone like him? Ah, well, left to speculation at this point hm? I do hope everyone has a good holiday though, you can never get too into the spirit of things.

[ Albeit the Malnosso seem to fit that bill at times...but, no, he is not going to let the Malnosso ruin his Christmas not this year. Finally around later in the evening all the snow mythica will go back to being their snowy, sculptural selves, and can be found throughout the village in regal more natural poses. ]

Comments

[shadedsunlight]

I think I can understand why they wouldn't want us to though. Imagine all the paradoxes and problems that could cause. But I still wish it was possible. [She chuckles quietly and gives Kuraokami a pat on the side of his neck, speaking quietly, almost to herself.] Maybe I could finally change jobs.

[She sighs exaggeratedly, but she's also smiling.] Yes, father.

[folklorist]

Ah, yes, it w-would be a bit odd. Having someone taken from a world in which the people from it have already experienced Luceti and then taught those in their world about it. [ How would people reactive to knowing of alien life. ] Th-though it depends on the world and how they would perceive such information...without substantial proof, unfortunately. [ Ah yes the ever apparent problem in his world. Helios sighs shoulders slumping.

He blinks and then makes a constricted half scoff half amused noise in the back of his throat. Father, really now Ginia? ]

[shadedsunlight]

In my world, I'd probably be declared insane and thrown into a mental institute.

[Okay, father is a stretch. Ginia hums a little.] All right, not father. Brother?

[folklorist]

Ah yes. Mine as well. Despite the underlying magical community the world is generally mostly populated by, well, regular people. People who are quite unaware of the magic and mythica in general [ He smiles sadly. ] I've been trying for many years to figure out ways to make it so people could understand, could speak and talk to us while knowing the the truth, and be scared.

[ A sigh. ] It's just a very long process. [ More so when you have little to no one backing you up. If Elise was there, was here...it'd be different he's sure of it.

He blinks and looks at her. ] Brother... [ just trailing off there. Brothers are not something he's known to have a good track record with. And it doesn't help any that his was more or less mentally and physically abusive always telling him that he was a horrible one. ] Ah! Y-yes that's, um, certainly more appropriate.

[shadedsunlight]

I'm sure you'll succeed one day. It's a matter of finding the right audience to start with and going from there. [Get a good PR team, start on Facebook...]

Brother. I, uh, hope i-it isn't to presumptuous to say, b-but... you guys are like family to me.

[folklorist]

Yes you're right about that. I figure starting with children and the younger generations might be easier. Kids and their imaginations, you know? [ Helios wouldn't even know where to begin when it comes to Facebook. ]

Oh. W-We are? I-I mean. No! No it's, it's not at all. I have...similar feelings as well. [ He smiles, sadly. ] We're certainly quite close to warrant such thoughts, aren't we? I-I think so at any rate.

[ A proper family again. It's nice and Helios does like it, quite a lot really. But the ever present thought of what would happen if Nero came here always nags him in the back of his mind. ]

[shadedsunlight]

Children are the foundation of the future. They may have to live in the world we give them, but they possess the ability to do so much more. [She smiles, though there's a hint of sadness in her words. She's seen her world, children drafted into the gang or hunter life, far too old at far too young an age.]

Amazing what time can do. I haven't been here for very long, yet it feels like I've known some of the people here forever. You and Giles... you two have been there from the start.

[folklorist]

That's absolutely correct. The future of our worlds do rest in the early generations hands.

It'll be two years...it's strange. I wonder sometimes what, what I would be doing back on Earth around this time. Ah besides it being the end of the year and...Christmas break. The one time when the castle is relatively quiet. [ He says that all jokingly he adores his students, very much so, and it's always sad having them leave for winter break. ]

It's odd when it's so quiet though. I think I've gotten far too used to the hustle and bustle of things during the school year.

[shadedsunlight]

Empty nest syndrome. [So she tests, but she can imagine it would be odd to have such a busy place so quiet.]

I don't know what I'd be doing right now. Working, most likely. Or traveling to my next job. No rest for the wi... weary.

[folklorist]

I suppose that's an adequate enough term for it. I-I just don't have many people back at home who, um, celebrate. But it-it gives me more time to check up on the castle and work on things, spells and all that. [ It doesn't help that he sometimes gets a visit from Nero and those never end well. He'll clear his throat. ]

You travel for your job? That must be exciting.

[shadedsunlight]

I guess it's one of the perks about my job. Frequent traveling and seeing the world. [Maybe the only perk, though it's rare she gets to enjoy wherever she ends up.] It's... it's nice.

[folklorist]

All the people you and places you see. I have to admit this is probably the farthest I've ever been. [ Helios laughs. ]

[shadedsunlight]

[A light laugh.] I think another world is the farthest most people have been.

[folklorist]

Even the parallel world I went was just another Earth. So I'm not sure it counts as traveling very far.

[shadedsunlight]

[Oh, Helios, will you ever cease to amaze?] Parallel world?

[folklorist]

It's...it's like our Earth. But, um, opposite in many ways. Beings I knew to be demons were angels, angels were now demons, and vampires were humans, humans were vampires. And so on and so forth.

It was...a world from beyond the mirror. A literal antithesis to my own. [ His voice sounds distant as he speaks and it makes no signs of returning to the present at the moment. ]

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia remembers back at the Battle Dome experiment, a man that looked exactly like Helios, but hadn't been so hesitant about slinging fireballs in their direction.]

I see. Sorry, we don't... we can talk about something else.

[folklorist]

[ Ah, yes. He's aptly named mirrored self. He's been to Luceti in the past, as it were. Helios might wince slightly. ]

N-No it's, it's fine. I-I don't mind, really. It happened awhile ago and well n-nothing, nothing too serious occurred. [ Aside from the world almost ending and Helios having to leave Elise there. ] It's just strange...to see yourself act like an entirely different person.

[shadedsunlight]

The what-could-have-beens, frightful or... interesting as they can be. ["I'm the person you could have been if your family wasn't murdered."] But, um, I-I'm glad nothing too serious occurred.

[folklorist]

Giles says he's nothing like me. That-that we're complete opposites. I'm not sure if I believe that or not. I'm not sure what to believe, exactly, when it comes to him and myself. [ The connection was jarring. Mentally being able to see and read all his thoughts... ] And then there was everything here. The Phanto mask, the Luceti Valley experiment. Each and every single time I've, I've acted almost like him. [ His voice is hushed, barely above a whisper even. ]

If I had all that power...if I had- [ if he had Elise would he have turned out like that? With all that anger and the entire world to take it out on? The Council, Nero, everyone who has ever betrayed him? ] -had a means to use it. [ Helios shakes his head. This was not proper holiday conversation. So he waves his hand dismissively knowing he's the only one to see it besides the snow mythica around them. ]

S-sorry that's quite enough of that! I-I don't think that's proper holiday talk, hm? We should get something hot. Perhaps they have hot chocolate or tea over at Seventh Heaven?

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia listens. The mention of the Phanto mask brings a slight shiver, having remembered Giles with it, her own blackouts and Alice coming forth - and that it was only Alice is something she isn't sure if she should be relieved or disturbed by -, and the subsequent encounter with Helios that can't be remembered. She waits until he finishes speaking before she says anything, offering a small smile.]

I would say Giles is right. There are the people we could have been and the people we are, and I think you two are different. Just because you may have acted by him due to Malnosso influences doesn't mean you are him or will be like him.

And if you had all that power and the means to use it... I think you'd do the right thing.

[She offers a hand to him.]

Let's get something hot to drink.

[folklorist]

I suppose so. The parallel world theory in that for every choice we make a divergence is made and another parallel created for the choice we did not choose. Interesting theory I didn't believe it until I went to Amnesia. [ A thoughtful hum as he gives Ginia a warm smile. ]

Do the right thing? I-I would certainly try. I still do try, despite it being somewhat futile in some aspects. But, ah, I'm a firm believer in optimism. [ Helios shrugs and then sighs audibly for Ginia to hear. Helios takes her hand with still the same trepidation and tentativeness behind, like always, but this is nice. Somehow. Being able to talk about it and having someone listen, someone who cared. ]

Yes I think I owe you that much, after ruining the mood. I apologize again for that.

[shadedsunlight]

You owe me nothing, Helios, and my mood is not ruined. [Odin spares them a small glance, having once more run into the kitsune, though on better terms, and offers an agreeing bark.]

All the infinite possibilities and choices. Some with more desirable choices in the past, others in the future, and yet none of them necessarily better than what we have now. [She chuckles softly.] At least... at least I've been working on that belief. I'm afraid my optimism has waned over the years.

[folklorist]

Ah. I-If you're certain. [ He doesn't sound very convinced you'll understand. He's not convinced at all. ]

I'm surprised my own optimism h-hasn't, what with the two years that I've spent here. [ A sigh. It's waned slightly, yes, but that's all thanks to the Malnosso and their workings. ] But parallel worlds...it's certainly an interesting topic I have to admit. Or perhaps it's a topic for people who think far too much shouldn't touch upon.

[ And people who blame themselves for far too many things that they really shouldn't be blaming themselves for. ]

[shadedsunlight]

I think it's the sort of topic that crosses everyone's mind at one point or another. The idea there are other worlds or variations of worlds, all the infinite possibilities. It's beautiful, fascinating, and scary at all at once. An interesting topic for anyone.