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

[accordance]

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! ]

Comments

[corpsedoctor]

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?

[accordance]

[ 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?

[corpsedoctor]

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.

[accordance]

[ 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?

[corpsedoctor]

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?

[accordance]

[ 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.

[corpsedoctor]

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. ]

[accordance]

[ 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.

[corpsedoctor]

[ 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. ]

[accordance]

[ 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?

[corpsedoctor]

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...

[accordance]

[ 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.

[corpsedoctor]

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.

[accordance]

We will be, if we put our efforts and hearts to it.

[ But he's sensed that the conversation has drawn to a close, so he continues: ]

I pray that I have not taken up too much of your time as well. We can converse another time. My network name is the same as my own name.

[ After they exchange contact details, Thunderland will get a goodbye. ]

Till we meet again.