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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[ It's been a while since they last talked. He exited stasis barely in time to catch the last airship to Capablanca - later than all the other Heroes, and he knows it. He's had to explain everything to Lisbrand; and he's glad that she took it better than he had expected. There's someone else who probably won't, though. But he still needs to call the other up for a meeting, because it's only appropriate.

It's with this that he sends a short message to Adra's carrier, waiting on the quiet beach as stipulated.

It's been a while, and he's heard. He's not expecting this conversation to end easily. ]

Edited 2016-04-16 04:22 (UTC)

[ It's a sunny afternoon, and Lord Light had just returned to the hotel after running some errands. It's too early to rest, and yet too late to begin another serious task - it takes him a while to decide what to do, but eventually he retrieves a flute he purchased in Caissa from his room and stations himself in the hotel lobby.

The song he plays is simple, and only two people here might recognize it. It's one of Muse's songs. ]

[ The sketches in the sand piqued her interest. While Lux was not the most technologically savvy person—she's Demacian through and through, not a Piltie—she can appreciate the fine details. They intrigue her, the pieces seemingly out of place for what she knows of either Blanc or Noir. Were they from a fellow Hero, perhaps?

Missing the creator of these stunningly technical images, the young blond stalks the beach during her off times, mostly in the early morning hours. It is then that she comes across him, working on some other piece of art. The teen stands there, her hands behind her back, observing at first, before stepping closer. ]

Ah, so you're the artist.

[ She smiles easily, and while she may not be in uniform at the time, the small rodent carrier perched on her shoulder may give her away. ]

[ When Maki comes back to the lobby she's in a pair of shorts and a running jacket, some clothes she picked up shopping when she had the free time. She's sweating, having run for an hour or so, pushing herself a little more than usual. But when she hears her song she breaks into a sprint, surprised by the familiar melody. A small part of her hopes it's Kotori, or Honoka or Eli or someone so her and Nico won't be alone here.. but she wouldn't want them here in danger either if she could help it.

But it's not them, it's Lord Light of course, and she lets out a long sigh, catching her breath after she nearly skids to a stop on the floor with her sneakers.

But as slightly disappointed as she is... it's hard not to be moved to hear the music that she had composed herself being played by someone so talented. For now.. she's just going to stand back and listen. ]

[ He's really asking for trouble by coming anywhere close to the sea like this. Slaine vowed that he wouldn't go anywhere near the beaches of Capablanca ever again. The piers should be okay, right? Plus, there's a lot of seagulls here... (Although, they're all flocking to area thanks to the free food from the man whose practically like a Disney Princess right now.) He liked seeing them because it reminded him of a certain someone. These were the birds that Slaine had wanted to show to his princess.

When Lord Light addresses him, he's immediately brought out of his thoughts. Before answering, Slaine quickly looks around to see if the man might have been talking to somebody else. Nope. It's just Lord Light and Slaine.

It might seem like a really mundane thing to most people, but he definitely wants to do it. ]

O-oh, may I?

[Rumors about the mysterious art on the beach first drew Natasha to Lord Light's little refuge. It's taken her a while to actually catch him at it, though. When she finally manages to catch him mid-drawing she hangs back to let him finish, nibbling on an ice cream as she tries to decipher the meaning behind this latest masterpiece (it's so orderly and technical, it must mean something). While she isn't trying to be noticed, she doesn't try to be stealthy either.]

[ When Maki arrives, he acknowledges her with a slight nod. Their eyes meet for a single moment, then he closes his own and devotes himself entirely to the music. He keeps his entire body still save for his hands, letting the music flow. He replicates it exactly as how Maki has written it, every note following the exact intended rhythm.

When he's done, he lets the silence hang for another few seconds before placing the flute on his lap. ]

Good afternoon, Maki. Do you need some water?

[ When Lux arrives, she's noticed immediately - but he doesn't respond to her straight away. His attention is still on his work, his focus used to keep the mental image of what he's drawing crisp and clear in his mind so that he can set down lines precisely as he remembers them. He expects her to leave, like most other spectators do, but she doesn't.

She speaks to him, and he feels compelled to reply. ]

Yes, I am. I hope I am not trespassing...?

[ No signs around, so he assumed it to be public property. ]

[ Lord Light had indeed been privy to Slaine's unfortunate network post, but he had seen no need to comment. It's evident that the other didn't mean to do it, so he finds no fault with him.

He doesn't bring it up, though - instead standing up slowly so he can walk over. The seagulls perched on him scatter, but they don't fly away too far. ]

Go ahead. [ Holding out the bag to Slaine now, with a slight smile. ] Be gentle, they do not take well to being startled.

[ He recognizes her faintly - there's a slight impression of her existing in his mortal, current memory, but he can't place where. This isn't the first time this has happened, though, so he just takes it as it is.

He's quiet while he works, already noticing her presence but deigning not to do anything about it. It's a little difficult to keep the full image of what he wants to draw in his mind, so he elects to finish one of the more complex parts before he speaks. ]

Good morning. Can I assist you with anything?

[ Souji is used to sometimes feeding the stray cats around his uncle's house back home but he has never actually fed any birds before. Seeing how this gentleman has attracted such a flock of seagulls, however, peaked his interest. He walks on over but he makes sure to keep a few steps away and to slowly approach in order to avoid scaring off any of the birds. ]

I didn't bring anything to feed them. [ He has some cat treats for his Carrier, Cream-san, but it's probably not something that seagulls could eat. ] I think I'll be content just watching them for a bit instead.

[ That song?

Thunderland continues to search for more people that may be interested in discovering the mystery of hybrid monsters. However, he pauses at hearing such a beautiful song. It reminds him of the song that he heard from the mermaid a few days ago. His eyes close for a moment and wonders how it could be in the morning, and how it is that he did not get pulled into some illusion.

He blinks when he finds that it is not a mermaid -- and really how could it be on Ventoso Hill, but one of the Heroes. It reminds him. It reminds him and suddenly he is sprinting straight toward the man. Which may not appear the best of having a well-over six-foot tall man suddenly break out into a run. ]

What a song! Something of that sort would surely ease the hearts of the people! Why are you not using it in that fashion?

It reminds me of a ladder.

[ What a soft, contemplative thing Sion's voice is, the long fall of his hair cascading down, over his shoulder (today, he'd worn it loose, wanting to feel the breeze as he traversed the beach) as he cants his head, golden eyes alight and keen with interest as he observes, watching the man who is so thoroughly taken with his work. He has not crossed paths with this Hero since their defense of Palamède, when he had been so deemed a misalignment, but that is neither here nor there, and before him is an image of wonder, nearly completed. ]

Beyond flesh, beyond dreams, bridging the distance between the stars.

[ Hello, says the Hero King. ]

My children dance on endless worlds.

[ With this, he returns the greeting, but he does not rise from his position until he has finished the last stroke. He continues speaking, though - recognizing that voice from Palamède. ]

It was intended to be a ladder. A ladder to the skies above.

[ A ladder to bring his people to space, to a different world that did not crumble beneath their feet. But it was not meant to be. ]

These are things I remember.

You could use mine.

[ He indicates the bag of breadcrumbs in his hand - a few of the birds fly off out of the way when Souji approaches, but the majority merely shuffle off so that they can still peck at the breadcrumbs on the floor. ]

Feel free to watch.

[ It's rude to pressure someone else into doing what they don't feel like doing, so he decides to return to tossing food at the seagulls. However, Souji still has his attention.

Just that he isn't going to speak first. ]

[ It's a good question, really, and it's one he's thought about. If he's surprised by Thunderland tearing across the hill, he doesn't show it - merely regarding him with a calm eye. ]

I have used it prior in Palamède. Unless you suggest I use it here as well? I have not yet found an appropriate occasion.

[ It's not that he's shy, really - but more that he's been more occupied with thinking about other things. But the possibility is still there. ]

And there are those which you do not.

[ Otherwise, the man's former sentiment would have no purpose at all.

Patient in his observation, Sion sinks to the sand beside the drawing with a seamless air of grace, disturbing neither the artist nor the sediment which is his canvas, but casting a gentle glow of light across the illustration with his presence all the same. It accompanies him, wherever he goes, that aura, stemming from the blood which runs incandescent through his veins, and as it illuminates the ladder before him...

Sion's hand hovers over a finished portion of the image, tracing over it in the air with delicate motions, as though he meant to commit it to memory. ]

It is too beautiful a thing, to only ever be intended. The skies should always be within reach.

[ Do you mourn it? Sion thinks but does not say. ]

I don't recognize that ...

[ The name does not immediately register to Thunderland. Is it a city? A building? Either way, he waves his hands to dismiss the first question to focus on the idea of "occasion." ]

The occasion is already upon us. There is more to healing the heart than sunlight and "beach fun." [ One could almost feel the quotation marks. He cannot say he understands what is fun about running in water and playing in the sand. What is that about? Of course, he has never seen blue water. The open waters of Amberground are usually a black shade. But more than that, there are wounds he believes that some Heroes are hiding that such activities cannot hope to help. ]

The soul needs something soothing -- and that could be just it. [ His arms open before he steps forward to look at the other's hair. ] That is an interesting shade. Something that usually would be common in Amberground but that matter is something else. [ He points to the man's hair. ] May I? [ Look, he is getting better about suddenly grabbing someone's hair to get a better look at it. ]

[ Ever since awakening from stasis proper, Lord Light has Tieria's words on his mind. It's sufficient to say that they parted on less than favourable terms - not only is it something that he wants to change, it's also something he needs advice on.

Perhaps it's a little unbecoming of a deity to do so, but he makes it a rule to never run away from the truth. This is a field he has less expertise on than the common man, and he already knows that Tieria is more than just a human.

The day after he arrives in Capablanca, he sends the other Hero a message via carrier. At the appointed time, he waits on the beach - quiet, and much less likely to be eavesdropped upon.

Promises are always kept, after all. ]

Do you mind if I use some?

[ If Lord Light's offering then he probably doesn't but it never hurts to ask just in case. ]

[ There are things that he remembers, and things that he does not. It's not so much as he has forgotten as that he cannot remember - what was once a mental library of centuries of knowledge had become closed, further out of reach - and difficult. The interwoven threads of thought and reason had become blurred, out of focus; and it's taking him more effort to force them into clarity.

He watches Sion pour over his drawing, falling silent. When the other speaks, it takes him a few seconds to compose a reply. ]

What should happen does not always happen. There are exceptions to every rule.

[ Mourn it as a tragedy, perhaps, but he knows that it was inevitable. The Reset was inevitable, from the way it was orchestrated. An event out of even the gods' power to prevent. ]

I can only wait until this can become a true ladder once more.

Go ahead.

[ He stands, scattering a few seabirds, so that he could pass the bag to Souji. The gulls still linger around, their attention turned to the youth (and the food in his hand) almost in unison.

It's expectant, too - while the former deity just offers his calm enigmatic smile. ]

[ So he doesn't recognize it. That gets a second's pause from him, but it could be a simple reason of the other not being there. Thunderland speaks quite fast, perhaps a little too fast for him to process, so it's only after he finishes speaking that Lord Light is able to start composing a reply. The doctor had moved from a discussion on the usefulness of his song straight to the colour of his hair - perhaps in the manner of a busy mind flitting from one intrigue to another.

That could possibly be it, he decides. ]

You may.

[ He speaks after a few moment's pause, willing himself to be still. His hair feels extremely smooth to the touch, very much artificial and yet realistic enough to pass somewhat as human.

Let's just hope Thunderland doesn't pull. ]

[ At least, he is careful to look the hair over. To rub it between his fingers, yes, less like his own indeed. So not from the light of an artificial sun but the feel of it. He pauses. ]

A wig? No, nothing like that... it's not quite... but.. hm... what is it?

[ The questions just comes out on its own. He already is bringing the hair even closer to his face to look it over in confusion. There may be a beat of silence as he wonders if he is heard. He lets go of the hair and lightly coughs. ] In any case, I think that you should let me find a means to have you sing...

Edited (adding because this is funnier in my head) 2016-04-16 18:37 (UTC)

[ It's good. She's never heard anyone play her music like that before. Sure, she used synthetic instrument sounds on a computer for much of it, but this was different. It actually makes her really warm inside to hear.

And when he's done, she's just got a tiny slight hint of red on her cheeks, that are puffed up because of her smile. ]

No, I just grabbed some... I didn't realize you know our songs.

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

adrasteius

maki

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three!

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tieria

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