pawnstorm | [ semi-open ] and sometimes we sing to the dawn

Entry tags:

[ semi-open ] and sometimes we sing to the dawn

Who: Lord Light, a couple of people (closed threads in toplevels within), and you.
When: April 12-15, thereabouts
Where: Around Capablanca
What: A useless old man ponders the meaning of his existence. And also builds some things on the side.
Rating: PG+ for Adra's mouth

one;

[ Contrary to first impressions, there is indeed peace and quiet to be found in Capablanca. As one walks along the beaches further and away from the town center, the number of establishments dwindle one by one - until the last ice-cream parlour marks the end of built shoreline. The stretch of untouched sand may be quite small compared to the rest of the beach, but it's still sizeable. Sizeable enough to provide a place of relative silence for Heroes to meditate properly.

It is here, upon the sand, that he draws. Detailed, complex images are sketched into the beachside, a little away from the shoreline so that they would be untouched at low tide. It takes him hours to complete a single drawing, but he doesn't complain a single bit - merely one figure with white hair bent down close to the ground with a single branch in his hand.

At night, high tide washes them away, but he returns for at least an hour every day to add one or two. At other times he builds perfectly regular rings out of shells and other materials lying around, all without a single word. A few locals come to watch, but even then their curiosity wears out as he continues, focused on his task.

If anything, the art is pretty. But what could they mean? ]

two;

[ On an afternoon when the sun is not as harsh, he climbs Ventoso Hill alone. Once he's reached the top, he elects to stand and watch the scenery - he's so still that he might have been mistaken for a statue, if not for the fact that his hair moves and flutters in an opportune breeze.

After a while, he shifts his stance to one more regal, and he begins to sing with a voice much younger than his speaking intonation. When he finishes, there's the slightest hint of a smile on his expression - but it will fade away as soon as he is approached, returning to his normal calmness.

His voice resumes its usual pitch, too. ]

Can I help you with anything?

three;

[ In the mornings, he can be found near the piers - or more specifically, where the seabirds frequent. He might be seated on the jetty or walking along the beach with a small bag of breadcrumbs, and after a while seagulls will start to flock to his location. He feeds them with a rather distant expression (more distant than usual, that is), letting them land on his shoulders and arms.

However, if you express interest in what he's doing, he'll look up with a much more focused countenance. ]

Hello. Would you like to feed them as well?

wildcard;

[ hit me with anything and I'll roll with it! or if you'd like a specific starter, feel free to pm me or contact me at eonflamewing, we'll work something out! ]

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I see, Lord Light.

[ A few tentative nods. But that is right. Most of the matter is settled with figuring out when to sing for the people, and a proper introduction.

But... this is also a perfect opprotunity. His eye closes before he steps forward. Yes. There is one more question that he had. ] Lord Light, I understand that we have just met and this may be terribly sudden. However, would you do me the honor...

... of allowing me to dissect you should you die?

[ For a few seconds, there is silence. However, his expression does not change - continuing to watch Thunderland with his lucid grey gaze, expression calm and unreadable in its neutrality.

It's something he can understand. Curiosity for someone so very inhuman, for one - and Thunderland did say he was a physician. However, understanding doesn't default to agreement.

So he returns it with a question of his own. ]

For what purpose, may I ask?

[ It's not a refusal, the question posed with conversational neutrality. It's a time for Thunderland to air his reasons. ]

[ He clears his throat, happy to have the chance to make his case. Standing a little taller, ah, he supposes that comes off more intimidating than what he means. ]

I had the right back where I came from to perform dissections on what I deemed would help better the lives of the people. I believe that with our bodies having been. Changed due to our arrivals that there is most likely something physiologically different as well!

To help the lives of the people here! Also to be able to understand our bodies and what has happened to them. Perhaps with the technology available even to the microscopic level! [ He may be walking around and making wide gestures with his hands. ]

With dissection, I shall do what I can to better our lives here!

[ While Thunderland paces, Lord Light turns to follow the other as he speaks. It's a very reasonable argument - most importantly, one of learning and dedication, which are very much in line with the order that he once watched over. ]

It is a noble, but difficult cause. I commend you for following it. [ There is a slight issue, though. ] However, I am afraid I may not be able to contribute directly. When I die, I do not leave behind a physical body.

[ He's probably outed himself as non-human, if he hasn't done so already. ]

[ His mania calms almost immediately at why Lord Light would be unable to contribute. ]

What do you mean when you die, you will not leave a physical body behind?

[ He holds his chin, confused. Is that something new that has happened with the Heroes? Thunderland finds that to be most troubling for how are they going to better understand themselves and the changes with their body without some medical procedure to do so? ]

[ Thunderland's abrupt change in countenance is noted, but not commented upon. They have more important things to discuss. ]

I am not human. I cannot die, this is but a physical vessel for my being. If I am injured to the point of irreparability, I will dissolve into golden dust and fade. [ He accentuates this with a slight, sweeping gesture. ] I do not believe it can be studied properly, given its transient nature.

[ Not human? Another non-human? ]

Wait... you've done that here? [ His fingers are flexing as he has found an amazing specimen. There has to be something to explain why he would do that! Transference of the physical body into heart? He's seen that! But the idea to be seeing someone capable of it in front of him.

He reaches out to put his hands on the man's shoulders. ] Lord Light, please, allow me to dissect you.

I have.

[ When Thunderland grabs a hold of him, he doesn't react. ]

I can agree to this, but not right now. I have found that my previous resurrection abilities are not as strong. If we do it now, it will hamper my Hero duties. I can consider it proper after a solution to that can be found.

[ He spent almost two weeks in stasis just after that dungeon. Also, no sense of self-preservation. This is why he's agreeing in the first place. ]

I doubt you will find things of much use, however. It tends to be incomprehensible to mortals.

[ How. How can he -- ]

It is of use. It's the very idea that your body may now be held together by this world's mana. The idea that your physical form and everything is actually mana. Mana reforming to be like how you are in your own world, Lord Light!

[ Thunderland feels like going back to pacing. His arms are out and making wild gestures but he is not actually saying anything. How is it that he could possibly -- ] If it turns out that you are actually mana, that would mean to halt your death would require mana exchange, right? That's the theory that I am having.

That'd have nothing to do with medicine, but the usual transference of mana from one to another in order to heal your wounds. Not through magic of healing, but through just energy. [ He runs his hands through his hair, messing it up more. Walking in half circles, he wonders about it but if he's wrong, he's risking someone's life. ]

The idea of it is that can be transferred to others that are like you. Beings that are non-human that respond the same way to you.

[ It's all very good exposition and theorizing - something that he can join in on, but unfortunately he only has contrary evidence to provide at this point. For the most part, he turns to follow Thunderland as he walks, as to be polite. ]

There is no one else like me in this world, this universe. I am one and unique. Thus, I am afraid your studies on me may not be useful for others. [ He's trying to not say that he's a god, but he supposes it has to come out immediately. ] If you have studies you intend to conduct on me, you could inform me of what you wish to elucidate and I do the procedure myself.

[ That is to say, he knows himself best. He knows every minute working of his vessel, at least in the configuration it was when he was in his homeworld. ]

Then, at the very least, it will be useful to you.

[ He points as dramatically as he can to the man's face. ] If one person benefits from what is learned, what has been learned is not a waste! [ Such is his motto. ] The study would be if exchanging mana could heal wounds. I suppose the idea would be to start with something small and see at what point that medicine would be required.

[ A wave of his hand. ] As I told you, I am a doctor. I would never let a magnificent creature like yourself die. [ Especially since the body would not be of use to him anymore. ]

[ The main reason why Lord Light takes Thunderland's gestures and expressiveness in stride is because he follows one of the principles that the former deity used to embody. Hard work, the pursuit of knowledge and betterment of the world with it - it's rare to find someone so devoted to the same cause.

So he nods. ]

I see. We could test this at the next battle, if it is amenable to you. Do you have any concrete ideas as of yet?

That would be fine.

[ How to transfer mana. Hm. ] The means of transferring mana is the same as transferring heart in my mind. But I have no means to make a bullet. [ He cups his chin. ]

How do you usually restore your mana with someone else's assistance?

[ A mana bullet, then - but what Thunderland just said spawns not one but two resulting questions. ]

Heroes here restore mana by physical contact. Usually, for formality, it involves holding hands. But hugs may be custom for those who are much closer.

[ Now, for what he's just picked up. ]

What is this 'heart' you speak of? It is not the organ, yes?

Holding hands. [ Already his hands are up, but waving lightly to show that he isn't really agreeing to the idea of holding anyone's hand. ] Something like that is too personal for me. I'd be all right with hugging you, however. [ Lugging around corpses, that seems a lot less personal for him. ]

No, it is not an organ. It's more than that where I hail. To relate to how it is here, it is like mana. However, no spells can come from it... instead everything is related to it. Spirit, memories, stamina... all of that affect heart in some way. And heart can also be used to power machinery in the world I come from. [ Like that. ] The very well-being of a person is related to how their heart is. Both are connected to one another and that is why it should not be used recklessly.

[ Thunderland gets a tilt of his head.]

Holding hands is the most acceptable way amongst Heroes, I have observed. Of course, others prefer different ways. It depends on the individual's preference.

[ But, onto the more interesting topic now: ]

I see. In my homeland, it would be a similar concept to soul. I understand. However, it is not identical a system as mana is here. As a doctor, you treat heart as well as physical health, yes?

Well, you seem to be all right with whatever... but it would be better to hear what it is that you'd like to do, too.

[ Such things should be decided -- especially since they are going to be conducting research with one another. A level of trust is needed. ]

Yes, I do, Lord Light. Yet as something that you've noticed, I'm sure, it does not seem to me that enough emphasis has been put on the "heart" or "soul" here. More our aptitude as soldiers than what battles do to people. A festival is nice, but that does not always mean that the heart is comforted, right? [ For someone that is completely made out of mana, as he suspects, he wonders. ]

You said physically that you are doing all right, but are you really doing all right emotionally?

[ Part of the reason he's so passive is because of his tendency to observe and learn from it. As long as he finds no immediate issue with something that can help people, he's likely to agree. ]

Mental and emotional health are just as important as physical health. Both are interlinked, the mind and body are still one at life's root. To neglect one would be to lay waste to the other. I am glad you think the same way, this is a principle that my homeland has understood far more than I have seen here.

[ However, even if it's easy for him to understand, it's not easy for him to empathize. Which becomes immediately apparent once he answers Thunderland's last question. ]

I do not feel as intensely as others do, I have little capability for emotions. As I have raised before, I do not think I am the best subject for these types of inquiries. A human may be better suited.

Is that so? I'm relieved to hear that this school of thought isn't just to my own world.

[ Though -- his expression darkens -- he understands that there are many that know of the idea but ignore it. Or worse, abuse the connection between emotional and physical health. He keeps his sudden spike of anger under control because he has found someone who understands his ideas a little.

And then, he redirects that anger. ]

That won't do, Lord Light! This is related to you, is it not? This isn't related to anyone else here. You are unique and so I will not have you fall through the cracks. Simply because you have little does not mean that you have none. I won't have your wishes and thoughts dismissed simply because your feelings are not as intense as my own. [ If need be it, he'll bully the non-human into taking care of himself. A bit of a step away from his first thoughts, but sometimes, these things happen. ]

[ What surprises him, more than anything else, is how Thunderland is so quick to insist these things. They are but strangers, having not met proper before this, and yet the doctor is willing to insist these things.

But then again, it could be a result of the man's own altruism and code of conduct. That would make Thunderland even more of a rare, noble person. ]

I see. I accept this truth that you speak. [ It is his own selflessness that had landed him in trouble previously, after all. ] Thank you, for your concern and care.

[ He takes a breath in before letting it out. Thunderland was under the impression that he would have to continue to bully the man into agreeing with him. The wind temporarily out of his sails at being agreed with so readily, he takes a moment to collect himself. ]

Yes, well... good. [ He tugs on his uniform, adjusting it with a few tugs on the sleeves. ] You needn't thank me for anything like that, Lord Light. As a doctor, it is what I am supposed to do for people. [ Right. A kind-hearted person could be dismissed as being overly kind. A cold-hearted individual who is adamant about what he wants to do and showing little care toward a person is more likely to be heard. Being seen as the latter is the most important to him. ]

[ Lord Light is a god of truth, he is not about to argue against facts. That would be going against his very essence. ]

I see. So you are like me, we seek to serve those around us. [ It's not the exact phrasing that Thunderland uses, but the meaning is all the same. Then, a question occurs to him, which he voices: ] Do you practice actively, or have plans to?

I practice actively. I just don't have that many patients under my care, but those that are willing to be seen by me are not thought of as less.

[ And he cannot help but sigh at the comment that he wishes to serve those around him. ] You should think about yourself more often, rather than just seek to serve. Understand? That shall be my first order for you. Second, I suppose, since I asked you to sing for us...

[ It's the same thing that Adra has said to him. He finds it interesting, how Thunderland grasps the point immediately. ]

I will try to do so. [ This is said with a hint of amusement, though. ] We are heading out to war quite soon, from what I have heard from the commanders. Perhaps when we return from victory, I will sing for the people.

Edited 2016-05-03 16:05 (UTC)

I look forward in hearing what you do. [ That should be incentive to "try harder" than simply "try" to be a little selfish. ] Yes, I've heard something similar. You believe that we shall be victorious? A good way to think. One that I share.

[ To go into any battle believing that victory is impossible would only spell one's death and an army's failure. ] But yes, perhaps after we win, you could sing for us. [ Thunderland clears his throat. ] I feel as though I've taken up enough of your time and should go.

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accordance - 2016-05-04 14:54 (UTC) - Expand

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