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it happens so quick you won't even realize it. like being hit by a car, or having a heart attack. one moment you're here, the next you're not. you don't get to prepare. your family will spend months sifting through your belongings, not knowing what to do. your friends online will never know why you don't come back. you die thinking you're alive, face still preserved with your last emotion. you don't get to say goodbye.
tagged by: @gaiathran
tagging: @hopelantics @epilvgue @cagcdlxve and you!
⋆˙⟡ It was true. Though the cities may have caused her distress at times, it did not mean that there weren't those out there who adored the busy life and constant bustle. Many Aercon did not seem to mind it so much, while others reveled in it. She assumed that it would be similar to Echoes too.
She'd always listened intently to when others would share their worlds with her. No matter how low her spirits were, those stories lifted them up high into the sky itself.
" Wait! Are you from a desert? " Suddenly her eyes lit up with a wild excitement seemingly from out of nowhere. " Oh, I have always wanted to visit such a place! Well, at least since Sir Badou told me about them. "
" What's it like seeing an endless beach? I do love worms, however. They are fun to watch in the rain- " She gasped lightly upon the realization of something else, however.
" You have a daughter?! Oh, Sir Roberto! I knew not that you were a father! " The spur of emotions she showed had not come forth in quite some time, causing her cheeks to flush but eyes to sparkle with that old innocent curiosity.
"Mhm. Don't know about an endless beach, but the desert planet I'm from is just sand and rocks, then more sand and rocks. There's nothing growing there but the Worms. Which aren't the kind of worms you're thinking of here, they're a species of insect that have a bunch of different forms, from ones that look like giant dragonflies as long as my hand or arm, to some that look like birds. The biggest ones burrow in the sand and can swallow buildings whole." There's a little smile that tugs on his mouth at that one, despite the horrible danger something of that size poses.
Can't help but remember where that whole situation got them, afterward. 'Eyes of a good guy', ugh Vash. And the kids though he was the corny one.
The smile fades quickly though.
"Had. Had a daughter. She was younger than you when she was killed. My son was a little older. Wife too." The sigh he gives is of an old man who's spent many years trying and failing to outrun his grief.
"Been a long, long time since. They'd have been grown now. Bet they'd have loved this place though, if they'd gotten to see it." A smaller, more painful smile curls his lips. "Can't run from being a dad though, apparently. Went and accidentally adopted more kids despite my better judgement." There's still painful grief in his smile, but it's not quite as intense. Deep, but calm, like a lake rather than a turbulent sea.
Astarion preens at the rough scratch, nipping the jaw playfully only to want to retreat to his drink before he did something silly. But he's captured, by arms and words and affection. It's almost a bit much, the swooning words and adoring attitude, the sweet notes and deep care.
He's not sure he can hold himself from shattering, but why? Why was this praise be so impactful? Why does he feel one huff and puff away from his straw house falling apart?
Red finds brown and he whines, sinking into him to nibble his lip then kissing away the slight spark of pain.
"You have a treat to eat and we have places to be. If you want me to show you all... Then you better be ready to participate along the way, my love. Making things together... It brings me a joy I never had before." The tapestries taught him that. Yes it was their meanings, sure, but the power of watching them make something together...
He want's it everywhere in the home.
One more kiss and he pries away, clearly reluctant as hands raked down his chest, but he forces himself to his drink, setting down the small warm snack of a sandwich.
"You seem antsy to get somewhere so, swift snack and we can be off."
Seems he's hit the right nerve this time. Good. Let Astarion be reminded over and over again that he's precious and gorgeous and Roberto doesn't care if he has weird habits. He may not know what to do with said habits himself, but it hardly matters at all anyway.
"Don't expect me to know what to do if you hand me pretty rocks and candles that smell funny," he chuckles, taking the moment to squeeze the vampire before he slipped away and took his sweet kisses with him. "But sure. I can follow directions well enough. If you explain nice and slow for poor old me." He winks and settles to eat the sandwich his love was so kind as to make him.
"We'll have to find some other things to make together then," he hums between bites. "Back home, that's basically the only way you had much of anything. You paid out the ass for something shipped from a big city, or you took whatever you could find and made something yourself. Gotta be some more things we can add around here together. Maybe when it comes around again we can add onto the tapestry too."
That would be good, though it wouldn't be until that festival came around again that anything would come of that idea. In the meantime, he's sure there's plenty of things they can make together, on top of whatever projects Astarion has in mind with his new spiritual stuff. Time for thinking about that later though. The sandwich doesn't last long but Roberto makes sure Astarion is finished with his drink before they head out again.
"I think you'll like this surprise. I hope so, anyway. Sure hope you're not against heights, or this is going to be really awkward."
Gunsmoke, no matter where you may look at them from, never had stars as pretty as the ones here. Because of the mass swarms of worms that coated the skies on any given night seeing a clear view of all of them was near impossible. So as any star stunned person would, he’d been taking almost every night to stargaze. Little or small he spent hours studying them on the nights he couldn’t sleep, learning what little he could on the phone he was quite frankly struggling to learn.
On this night in particular he’d stopped because of the other onlookers. He wasn’t one for socializing, especially at night when drowse was slowly but surely overtaking his body, but the opportunity was one he deemed too good to give up. It could work his way if he was just careful! He’d just stand at the back, off to the side, and slip out and just…
Then someone spoke. Spoke to him. Great.
Turning to look at the older man his eyes narrow behind his slightly tilted sunglasses. Unlike the tone Roberto had used, he doesn’t meet him with that same friendliness. Nor does he respond to the first comment verbally. All he has to offer is a confused and slightly irritated gaze.
There was some truth behind it even though he didn’t voice it. He was stood there wishing for someone. As far as he knew (until he mentioned his name), this guy was just some old hag with a screw lose.
“Your? Undertaker?” He says, reaching his rough hand out to slide the provision from its package. He doesn’t light it yet, but he does push it to his lips and leave it there. “The hell does that mean old man?…the other? You’re talking nonsense. Are you one of those drunks that go around begging for money? I don’t have any.”
Testy. It doesn't put the old man off, not when he remembers well how his kid was those first days. At least when Vash wasn't knocking him onto the wrong foot with inane and goofy comments about his eyes.
Just because Vash had been right (and Roberto had said things just as inane and goofy about all bits of a certain vampire) doesn't mean he didn't still think the comment was ridiculous.
"My Undertaker. My Nicholas D. Wolfwood claimed he was an undertaker when we met him first. Still don't think he even tried a little bit though." Roberto watches this more grizzled Wolfwood with a sharp gaze, far from an old drunk as he flicks out his lighter and touches the flame to his own cigarette before offering it to the other man.
"Guess I'm the only other Gunsmoke native you've run into then, huh? Ah well, there's worse. Your Vash told me he never met me before coming here, I suppose that means you haven't either. Long story short? Seems there's two versions of our world's story and they run into each other a bit in this place. My Vash and Wolfwood are here, and your Vash was, though he's gone now. Hundred Spoons and Bluebell are around, somewhere." A long breath has smoke floating around his face for a moment.
"Crazy sounding, I know. Especially coming from some old guy you don't know. But hey, at least you won't have any Eye of Michael after you here, and Spoons is more anxious ball of feathers then blades. Something about being convinced dying made Eden happen." Probably too much at once, but Roberto wants to be sure, by dropping the Eye mostly, that this Wolfwood takes the time to listen to him before writing him off entirely. If Roberto is lucky, he'll be more interested in questioning how the hell a random guy knows about the Eye and Wolfwood's connection to it and less interested in either bolting or trying to put Roberto through the nearest wall.
Though... If this Wolfwood is as fresh as he seems, Roberto might be able to handle him. Might. If he absolutely has to.
Well, it's a gamble either way.
"I traveled with Vash, Meryl, and Wolfwood from Jennora to July. Made quite the odd team, my kids and I."
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There was something about the falling stars that demanded he just stop and watch, despite seeing them last year and knowing that the showers would be happening frequently until the end of the year. It wasn't as though the sight was foreign; Noman's Land had plenty of the same kind of showers after all. But there was something particularly special about the ones here. Maybe it was the families stopping and pointing, children excitedly babbling wishes at the sky. Maybe it was the flakes of snow drifting lazily down in the midst of it all. Whatever it was, it gave Roberto enough of a feeling of peace to stop and tuck a cigarette between his teeth, watching the skies.
A figure in a black suit, with a messy mop of dark hair, also stopped to stare upward, and Roberto chuckled.
"You're supposed to make wishes on 'em, you know. Bet you'll be making most of them for your hubby, eh puppy?" He absently holds out his case of cigarettes in invitation before he quite turns to get a good look at Nicholas- and pauses, blinking and then squinting.
That's not his son, but by God it looks like him. Way too much to be a coincidence.
"Huh. You're not my Undertaker. Guess that makes you the other Nicholas D. Wolfwood." For a moment, he thinks about taking back his cigarettes but decides against it. What better way to introduce himself to the older, rougher looking version of his kid?
Despite everything, he was glad Roberto was here right that minute...if anyone, he could rely on him to tell him straight whether it was up to him to fix anything...but despite that, he lay uneasy against his chest, hiccuping and sobbing with each breath he tried to take. Vash was always...on the dramatic side, but even then- it was never this awful, eyes and nose flushed red as tears fell down his face, lip curled into a gritted snarl as he clung to the jacket with all his might- even to the point his knuckles were going white.
As Roberto got up, Vash held on tight, burying his head into the shoulder of the older man who fought his way to the couch; long, spindly legs clinging to his waist and his arm tucked helplessly around his neck- he was determined not to go anywhere for a while, the comfortable cushions of the couch pressing against his side, the stump-for-an-arm aching in memory.
"I'm so sorry, Roberto...for you. I-" another pause as he sniffed, trying to contain the continuous lines of sobs back down his throat. "I didn't want him to die- Nai deserved a chance." Vash's throat was sore, his voice hoarse and frail as he pulled away, watery eyes tracking on Roberto to see if he resented this sentiment- to see if his brother had damaged more than he knew. Even if Nai had indirectly killed Roberto- Vash wished it wasn't the ending he got, the burning- the way he held out for Vash, the way Vash tried to save him again, it was all a cruel cycle.
If nothing else, Roberto is glad he's here right now for Vash to break down on, to have some support and company while he cracks apart. God knows the kid's spent enough damn time alone before the reporters and a wayward assassin had shown up. Roberto didn't need to be told to understand that Vash had succeeded in pushing people away more often than not. After all, it was only Wolfwood's mission and Meryl's stubbornness that had held them all there with him until they'd been thoroughly attached.
Besides, Roberto knows a mirror when he sees one. He's spent years doing the same damn thing.
So now, he just holds the Plant firm against his chest, one hand combing through fluffy hair as he tried not to think about why parts were significantly darker now. As long as Vash wants to sob into his shoulder, he doesn't mind. He'll be right here.
"Don't be sorry for me, kid," he hums as Vash pulls back to turn those huge, watery, blue eyes on him. A flick of his wrist has his jacket's sleeve down enough he can use it to wipe some of the wetness off Vash's cheeks. Not that it'll help much, but it's the gesture that counts here.
"I knew my luck was going to run out at some point, and I'd rather it did to keep one of you three safe than not. I hear Meryl went and saved you after anyway, which makes it worth it. As for your brother..." Roberto sighs. "Your brother's a monster. But he's got his reasons for being that way, doesn't he?" Not that Roberto really knows what made Nai into the monster he became, but there were reasons. Otherwise, the other one wouldn't be the way he is now.
"He's your brother, of course you don't want him dead. You don't want anyone dead anyway, no matter how terrible. I sure as hell don't get how you can be so forgiving, and I don't like your brother in the least, but I get it." Here, Roberto hesitates a moment. False hope can be even worse than hopelessness sometimes, and he's not sure if he should say anything or not. But then, sooner or later, Vash will run into the other version of his brother here. Better to be warned. "For what it's worth, if what I've seen here is any clue, he's probably not dead."
Finally, starter and plotting call for Hearths Rising 2024 for Roberto!
Capping at 3, castmates and family exempt. Drop a message in the comments, on discord, or in my DMs if you've got a specific idea!
Where the old man will be poking around:
Celebration of Falling Stars - Roberto will be quietly stopping to watch the falling stars whenever he gets a chance to. There's a lot of wishes he'd like to send after all, even if he might not be willing to admit it out loud.
Hearth Dolls - While Roberto is no crafter, he will be going to have a few dolls commissioned. He's got more people to look after now then he's ever had and some of them really need the reminder that he's there for them.
Starlight Soiree - Mostly Roberto will be out and about with his notebook, writing up an article or two about the events going on, but there's a decent chance that someone else can pull him out of 'work mode' to enjoy the festivities.
Finally, starter and plotting call for Hearths Rising 2024 for Roberto!
Capping at 3, castmates and family exempt. Drop a message in the comments, on discord, or in my DMs if you've got a specific idea!
Where the old man will be poking around:
Celebration of Falling Stars - Roberto will be quietly stopping to watch the falling stars whenever he gets a chance to. There's a lot of wishes he'd like to send after all, even if he might not be willing to admit it out loud.
Hearth Dolls - While Roberto is no crafter, he will be going to have a few dolls commissioned. He's got more people to look after now then he's ever had and some of them really need the reminder that he's there for them.
Starlight Soiree - Mostly Roberto will be out and about with his notebook, writing up an article or two about the events going on, but there's a decent chance that someone else can pull him out of 'work mode' to enjoy the festivities.
Throughout the month of DECEMBER is HEARTHS RISING, a festival celebrating truth, unity, and new beginnings. Although the isles are blanketed in snow and carry the cold of the northern winds, residents of Arcanus City can be found gathering from Fanalea to the shores of the Lunar Seas.
Please refer to the ARCANUS ISLE COMPENDIUM for creature and plant references.
OVERVIEW:
Hearthfire Night.
Hearthfire Night is celebrated on the twenty-first (21st) night of December, with festivities and preparations for Hearthfire Night starting as early as the thirteenth (13th), and celebrations ending on the eve of the new year.
As Hearthfire Night is an occasion for loved ones to get together and share food, stories, and spend quality time together under one roof. Presents are usually traded amongst gatherings during the late evening after dinners have finished. Anything and everything from clothes, toys, tools, and so on.
Many shops in the Central District promote holiday sales, and the Waystone Tavern has a holiday specialty called “Toasted Perlberry Rum'', a velvety drink made of cream, butter, dark brown sugar, perlberry rum, and spices.
Celebration of Falling Stars.
Takes place towards the end of the month, from the 17th - 31st of December.
Meteor showers begin to light the night sky from 7PM EST - 4AM EST, leaving blazing trails in their wake.
Legend says that these stars carry all wishes made upon them across time and space, even to the realms beyond Aevum. As such, it is customary to watch the meteor showers and make wishes with friends and family. Some may even hold small ceremonies and give offerings to commemorate old friends who have come and gone.
NOTE:
For the month of December: the Aevum Marketplace will allow all members ONE (1) free MARKETPLACE ITEM between 150-300 EMBLEMS.
Purchases will be processed during Dec. 17th-31st.
ACTIVITIES:
NOTE: Other activities such as caroling, parties, sledding, gift exchanges, tree decorating, snowball fights, and snowman making are all celebrated during Hearths Rising. For event participation, however, only interactions with the listed activities/areas and below legends will be considered valid.
FANALEA DISTRICT.
Yule Log Hunting
During the month of December, a single yule log is chosen by the residents of Vesper Town, Fanalea. Each resident then places their yule log in the fire pit at the center of the town square, where each morning the bonfire is burned, and the fire tended to throughout the day. As the fire burns, citizens of Arcanus Isle are encouraged to write their wishes down on small pieces of paper and toss them into the fire. By allowing their wishes or sentiments to return to Aevum through the ash and smoke, traditions often say that the wishes will come true.
The bonfire is tended to throughout the span of the month, and Echoes are encouraged to find and choose their own yule log for personal burning during Hearthfire Night.
Yule Logs are mostly characterized by the distinct knot upon their bark, creating a perfect swirl on the outside, and a silvery wood on the inside’s heartwood. The Yule Trees are the only non-pines to still flower in the winter, and are most often found in the densely wooded areas of the Fanalean Fields, with the larger, more grand logs being cut down from the Whispering Highlands.
But beware the Bramble Lunis of the Fields, and the Dire Wolves of the Highlands, for neither pack will allow you to chop down even a single branch of their trees so easily. What the Bramble Lunis lack in size, they make up for in the sheer numbers of their packs, and the natural camouflage of their pelts. Likewise, the Dire Wolves of the Whispering Highlands will sooner ensnare you in their enchanted vines and throw you from treetops before you fell a tree.
The Snowberry Harvest.
The Vespertown Farmlands are open during the afternoons of the early season. At this time, the farmers who work there allow volunteers to assist with the Snowberry Harvest. Baskets are given to all hands at the entrance, with the goal of the afternoon to pick as many snowberries as one can fit. These berries are scattered all across the Fanalean Fields and are characterized by their bright red coloring.
They are tart fruits that may stain one’s hands and mouth a cheery red upon consumption. Those who volunteer for the Harvest are allowed to take some of the snowberries home with them in a small mason jar. By the end of the season, the snowberries will often be crafted into jams, jellies, and work will have begun in the Honeyglow Meadery to create snowberry wine.
CLEARVIEW DISTRICT.
Hearth Dolls
As part of the upcoming preparations for Hearthfire Night, it is customary to create a “hearth doll”. This doll is a small depiction of one’s own self, and is no larger than the size of one’s hand. While these dolls can go anywhere in a household, they are customarily set safely above or nearby the fireplace out of harm's way. Tradition tells that the hearth dolls watch over their household diligently, taking care of the hearth and the burning yule logs. They keep bad omens out, and the spirit of Hearths Rising, in. These dolls were traditionally made of dried hay and twine, but have since evolved into small rag dolls made of cloth, stuffing and buttons.
In the Crystal Heights Mall, (specifically: the plaza and Mimsy’s) Echoes will find supplies to make their own hearth doll – or even create one to exchange with a loved one! The natives of Arcanus Isle are willing teachers, and for those who are not so artistically inclined, hearth dolls can be commissioned from Carousel Couture throughout the month.
Krystal Count
Every year, the staff of Crystal Heights Mall create something of a scavenger hunt. Thirteen shooting stars have been created, and hidden all across the mall in various locations. Taking a picture of each of these shooting stars, and showing them to a member of staff at the mall’s plaza, will award participants a free voucher to any one of the many shops throughout the three floors. (Even Antonitta’s.) These stars are incredibly well hidden, and sometimes require searching from strange angles.
It’s something of a bragging right to complete the Krystal Count every year, and the most avid counters will even stay overnight to find the ever-rumored, secret fourteenth star. (please see the Krystal Walker for more details.)
MERCHANT TOWN.
Tinker Town
Funded by the West and East towers, Arcanus Isle invites its residents to partake in various crafting opportunities. A multitude of crafts are offered throughout Trivium Square and Traverse Trove.
In Trivium Square, more mundane tasks can be fulfilled. Ornament making, gingerbread house crafting, wreath making and gift wrapping can all be done at Tinker Town. Some areas even allow for sleds to be crafted, and at the edges of Merchant Town, snow-men and igloo-building contests can be found. Hoarders will often be spotted scurrying around the stalls, stealing trinkets and items and escaping into the snow. Be careful! Lest the Hoarders find your keys and wallet before skittering away with your belongings while you’re working.
In Traverse Trove, various mechanics and alchemists of the city have gathered, and with them comes a wide variety of more sophisticated builds. Many of these unique treasures are created utilizing scrap junk from the city, and the more rare junk that descends from the multi-dimensional portals that occasionally open up overhead.
Steampunk trinkets and gadgets can be bought or hand-made. (e.g., a mechanical bird that can record and sound short 1-3 sentence messages, a small flower music box that opens petal by petal, etc.)
Small remote control robots can be rented out and dueled against one another for awards up to 1,000 keys.
It’s an inventor’s wildest dream come true!
THE LUNAR COAST
Lunar Voyage
Although the shores of the Lunar Coast see very few visitors this time of year, an eccentric seaman says that, for a small fee, he will offer a trip from the shore to the Arcus Cove and back again, for with the winter seasons a tradition of collecting fire gems from the Grotto is popular with the more adventurous sorts. Gifting the gems during Hearth Rising is said to bring the recipient protection and good luck. (These can be crafted into small pieces of jewelry, such as rings, necklaces, and bracelets.) It’s a symbol of great affection.
But, to find the grotto within the cave, an Echo must traverse the rocky winter seas and brave the cold descent into the caves.
Otherwise, an Echo may simply want to scale the side of the cove and pick the last Logus Fruit of the year. The temperamental crop can create a mischievous gift for friends and family members who prefer to create jokes for the holidays rather than share sentiment.
DOWNTOWN ARCANUS
The Starlight Soiree
Downtown Arcanus has been completely decorated for the holidays. Wreaths line the doors of shops, trees are covered in small ornaments, and twinkling lights are strung up to give the area a cozy, festive feel. Musicians play in duets and quartets throughout the streets, and hand-crafted stars mimicking the meteor showers are hung up almost everywhere you turn.
During the day, vendors of South Egg set up shop and pass out hot chocolate and eggnog to patrons or visitors passing through. The Arcanus Museum has worked alongside the Arcanus Archives to retrofit its halls in commemoration of various legends of the Isles. Its main attraction is the Legend of the Dwyrnøkk. It’s a largely informative showcase with a not-so-subtle message to not be a scrooge.
Arcanus University has decorated the entire campus grounds with lights, and during the evening allows all passersby to walk through the grounds to sight-see the various holiday decor. Generous Echoes can even give back the university for the experience by donating keys in small donation boxes across the campus.
In the south-western region of South Egg (beneath the gondola lift from Central District to Downtown Arcanus) is a massive skating rink across Shimmer Creek Lake. Looking over this rink is a large pine tree that has been decorated from top to bottom with ornaments and lights.
Residents 21+ can purchase spiked eggnog and other such spirits alongside their skating boots, with the lakeside bar open from afternoon until sundown.
The lake is open to skaters 24 hours, but is most active during the daytime. (Making a sneaky night time foray over the ice a perfectly viable option!)
NOTABLE LEGENDS:
Dwyrnøkk
This pale white horse only shows up during intense blizzards, snow storms, and thick fog during the winter. It can be most often spotted galloping over the rough ocean waves beyond the Whispering Highlands. However, it can also be spotted from Quill Pillar Shores and the Lunar Coast. Some accounts have even said the Dwyrnøkk has appeared deep in the Fanalean Fields, or around the Moonview Springs.
Those who have accounted for its witness say that it can only be spotted out of the corner of one’s eye. Getting a good look at this creature most often means that you are hiding from a truth, or otherwise not engaging with the spirit of Hearths Rising. The Dwyrnøkk is said to target people who are, in some way or another, estranged — be it by choice or by circumstance.
Some folktales and legends in the Aether Reserve say that the Dwyrnøkk will go after those who do not take part in the Hearths Rising activities, even going so far as to forcefully carry off and drown such naysayers. Other legends say that it will take you directly to the Pale Reapers who haunt the Passage of Masks in order to force the unfortunate soul to confront and come to terms with whatever the heart bids.
As such, it is seen as a bad omen. Especially upon repeat sightings.
The Frost Father
The entity known as The Frost Father was once an old shoe maker known as Old Man Jack, who lived deep in the mountains of Fanalea. Jack was well known for being outstandingly generous and jolly, always looking out for his neighbors and enacting a little bit of good everywhere he went. A surviving quote from the man’s journal from many centuries past states that he believed that “one good act always sparks another.”
After a violent storm overtook the Arcanus Isle, ravishing the land and leaving many families struggling to recuperate, Jack took it upon himself to bring a bit of cheer back to his neighbors and friends during the closely following winter. He worked to create clothes and new shoes for fathers and mothers, and created small dolls and wooden toys for young children seven days leading up to Hearthfire Night. According to historical accounts, it is often assumed that he was the originator of Hearth Dolls.
Jack continued this tradition for many years, working with winter owls and Frostlight Cerdae to deliver his gifts. It seemed that one year, though, when Jack was old and gray and withered, he completely disappeared. Not a trace was left behind as to his whereabouts, or a body found to announce his passing. But over the next few years, the Frostlight Cerdae continued to deliver gifts and bring people to lose things just the same as they always had. Thus it is said that the Frost Father can be found in a small cabin deep in the woods of the highlands, filled to the brim with toys and mechanical parts across his workshop.
The Frost Father’s Cabin
The cabin is well hidden in the snowy forests, but it CAN be found by watching carefully where the wind blows, and where the Frostlight Cerdae gather. Going inside the old cabin will allow young children, and those with high spirits, to meet the Frost Father. He may even give the Echos who find him a personalized gift, or request that they deliver one to someone who might need a bit of cheer.
Frostlight Cerdae
These antlered, deer like creatures all boast magnificent antlers coated in fresh down. Between the tines, dew covered vines reminiscent of willow tree branches, each with small frozen droplets of ice that glitter in the sunlight. These creatures are positively jovial and tend to be found in large fields and open spaces, skipping in groups together and bounding up to Echoes who linger around their herds for just long enough.
Should a traveler decide to make friends with the Frostlight Cerdae, these little deer will lead the Echo to small treasures found all across Aevum Isles: usually items that the Echo had misplaced, or to useful trinkets that the Echo just so happened to require for a project or a gift. If an Echo requires company, the Cerdae may lead an Echo who follows them to another lonely soul who needs a little bit of fun, or friendship that day.
The Frostlight Cerdae are said to be helpers of the Frost Father. They help him give gifts to everyone in the Isle.
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Vash was.. skittish, he stepped back, but soon returned to lean into the touch with the hand in his hair, head tilting downward to avoid the worried look of Roberto as his hands slid to his shoulders.
His coat was missing, his arm was missing- it was like he had been stripped of all that made him 'Vash The Stampede', and the lack of identity weighed on him like cement blocks. It's not like this was awful- but he had lost it all, and now he couldn't figure out what he was.
The soft words given to him tore his eyes back up, lip quivering as he rushed to close the gap, arms wrapped around the thick shoulders of his friend and he clung, refusing to let go as sobs tore from his throat.
Vash was never one to be painfully emotional- how he subtly showed it in many different ways, how he'd cry when he felt he needed to- but never as loud as he was now...maybe once before for pity points from Meryl.
"Nai...JuLai. Roberto, it was all my fault." He whined out, slowly sliding to the floor as his legs caved beneath him, clinging to the familiar jacket he could have sworn was rattier the last time he saw it...it didn't matter, he was just relieved HE was here to live and breathe to his inevitable end of his given lifespan as a human...the one pain he could not avoid, even if he ran.
The downfall to Vash was how reliant he was on others company.
His darkening blonde hair, near black had a feather like consistency now, probably due to the nature of the angel arm- he had taken a heavy hit from that untapped well that had been forced dry, and the transformation had only worsened how exhausted he looked- how fatigued his body felt and how shallow his skin looked- he was at his worst.
He couldn't form words, even if his mind wanted to- he wanted to explain the guilt that riddled his mind of how he felt BAD for Knives, how he wished it would have ended different....however, the inexcusable actions of his brother gave him a bitter taste in his mouth..so he just sobbed, on the floor, grasping at the legs of the reporter who had broken through to him and had him open up about Nai at the very beginning.
For a moment Roberto thinks Vash isn't going to allow him to touch, which hurts a little but is understandable, considering. He breathes out relief when the Plant leans into it instead, though that's short lived.
The dam cracks apart so, so easily, when before Vash was usually able to smile through anything. This isn't the same though, this is pure and complete devastation. Destruction of the city and himself on a scale that dwarfed Jennora and anything else Roberto knew of. Grief and pain flows off the kid as thick and fast as tears and Roberto follows him down to the ground to wrap his arms around the kid and pull him tight against his chest.
His shirt is going to be very wet, but he doesn't give a damn. One more of his kids is here and suffering, and he's going to do what little he can to try and ease that. One arm around Vash's shaking shoulders, one hand cradling the back of his head. He just lets him cry for a moment before looking up and around, frowning a bit. They're right outside the front door, in full view of anyone on the street. That won't do.
"Come here, kid, I got you."
It's surprisingly easy to scoop Vash up and hold the lanky form against his chest. A little awkward, given the kid's height, but no worse than carrying Astarion around in the end. Vash is worryingly light, and Roberto can't help but wonder if his arm was the only thing providing weight to his body. Is this natural for him, or a result of the way he knows Vash punishes himself by not eating?
Either way, it's easier than he'd have thought to stand up, the older human grunting a little with the effort and the protesting of his joints, and carry the kid inside. The door is summarily kicked closed, and Roberto wastes no time in carrying Vash to the couch. At the very least, they can be a little more comfortable during this breakdown.
He doesn't let go of the kid when he gets settled, just sits down and holds Vash as much in his lap as the long limbs will manage.
"There you go, better. It's not your fault, kid. What your brother does isn't on your head." Not that he expects Vash to believe him, but he has to try anyway.
Vash was only capable of so much change in one moment- he recalled falling down to the ruins of JuLai not too long ago- how he had forgotten most everything, but the smell of his burning brother remained embedded into his brain, unwilling to leave.
This new chance was what he needed, Vash told himself, over and over as he made his walk of almost shame toward the guardian-assigned house he was given...a young girl, Nahida, whom he knew wasn't quite right had been his roommate...what could go wrong? He had no intentions of making friends right away with her, but he'd come around.
- - -
The hours he took to form coherent thought in his head had been long, grueling and cruel as he carefully pieced together his situation...a new world, a second chance, another course to run...until the knock at the door tore him to life, eyes shimmering with threatening tears. Vash carefully wiped away what had slipped, getting up from the bed carefully, stumbling to the door...neglecting the peephole that embedded into the door.
He didn't expect what he saw.
"R..Roberto?" He whispered, barely audible as he pulled open the door fully, swallowing down the choking feeling in his throat. He couldn't hold out for much longer, but he damn well tried to keep himself civil, and not throwing himself toward the older man was a start.
His mind was hazy, his eyes were bleary...and he carefully approached from the threshold of the door, looking carefully beyond him.
The paranoia still evident.
There he was. Vash the Stampede, his Vash the Stampede, no less.
He looked like utter hell.
Sharp eyes catalog the differences between how the Plant looked now and when Roberto had last seen him... waving with a little closed eye smile as the elevator doors closed. Roberto trying to hide the nail in his gut from the other two, and knowing he'd probably failed, Vash definitely aware that this was all a trap for him.
His arm was gone, which was worrisome. Hell, Vash looked a lot like he had after the Rollo incident; exhausted, beaten, drained. Scared.
Roberto himself looks different, but only in the details. Still scruffy, but in a subtly neater way. A familiar jacket, but better made and better material. A leather sachel draped over his shoulder and the familiar small bulge of his derringer in his pocket.
"Oh kid," Roberto sighed and took a step forward himself. "What the hell happened to you, puppy?" He reaches out, slow enough Vash could duck or step away, to carefully ruffle that blonde mop of his. Only to freeze when he noticed something.
There was a chunk of black in Vash's hair that hadn't been there before.
Roberto might not really talk to the Knives he knows much, but Astarion sure does. Roberto knows what that chunk of blackness means.
"Goddammit Vash," he breathes, worry intensified exponentially. His hand drops to the Plant's shoulder and grips tightly. "What the hell happened?" He knows from Nicholas but... but what happened that he might not?
Some might call him 'nosey', some might call him 'intrusive'. It didn't much matter to Roberto what people called him, since his snooping got him information that was crucial to survival and important to pass on to others. It was kind of the defining feature of a reporter, after all.
So it was no surprise that he'd quickly started keeping track of the auroras that brought new Echoes to the Isle. After all, he had a myriad of people to be looking for, doubled since they found out about the second set of them, and there was no way he was letting any of his kids slip in without him noticing. Hell, as soon as he'd figured out the pattern, he'd set an alarm to check the new arrivals.
The alarm beeped at him while he was settled at his desk, working on putting together an article, and he idly reached over to pluck up his phone and scroll through.
Jinx. What a name. He wondered what kind of person they were as he sorted them into the section of Unknowns on his phone.
Vash the Stampede.
He dropped his phone in his haste to get out of his chair, growling to himself as he snatched it up and grabbed his jacket. By the time he got down to the Tower, the new arrivals would probably be shuffled off to their new places. He had to work fast if he was going to track Vash down before he inevitably scuttled off to hide somewhere.
If it was the older one, maybe he'd sit still for a bit. If it was his ... Roberto didn't even know what kind of state he might be in. Time was of the essence either way.
"Stay the hell still for once in your life, kid," he mumbles to himself, getting a ride to the Tower to start with. He'd just have to track him down from there.
It took a couple of hours of asking people and walking around, looking for any trace of the gunman with the red jacket and blonde hair. Of course, he probably didn't have the gun now. Maybe not the coat. Who knew. Either way, he finally, finally tracked down where he'd gone. His new place, apparently. A good choice, at least.
The elf stops as he's pulled back from his focus of cooking, looking to his love. He sticks out his tongue without thought to the threats. He's a touch surprised at the other suggesting the living room, looking up to the offered space.
"I had wanted to change the window to something more dramatic..." He leans into his sweet human, thinking it over slowly. "If you're sure, I think it would look lovely." He turns his head, seeing the door and weighs it up.
"Not immediately visible upon entering the home but will be when you are welcomed in." A personal private space whilst being open to the home. "And I am trying, darling. It's... Hard to beat two centuries of conditioning out." Especially after both moss and Sonare.
"It's why I asked you, my lovely voice of reason, and warned you what my silly choices would have been." He knows it's stupid to hide and suffocate himself, but it was hard not to think it and be unable to think beyond it.
He kisses the warm hand, then claims his lips, letting mage hands do the cooking. "The window it is then. If you don't mind placing the bags under there that'll be enough for now." He'd figure out a planning program another day.
"I know you're working on it, but sometimes I feel like I need to give you a firm shove out of small spaces," he chuckles and accepts the kisses, tilting his head just enough to drag his beard against Astarion's cheek teasingly.
"I'll leave the decorating up to you, as usual. I'm no good at it, obviously. This is why you're the one making pretty clothes for rich people and making off with all their keys for your hard work." He wants to be distracting and cheeky, but they are on a time limit and he really does need to keep that in mind. If they miss their appointment because he decided to flirt instead, he's going to be very annoyed with himself.
Still, he can take a minute to be a little appreciative of his very attractive and very silly boyfriend.
"Mi alma, I don't want you to hide. This is your house, take up all the space in it with whatever you want and I'll sit here and admire your taste. If you think there's any point in which I don't want to see you, you've forgotten that I'm very aware that I have the most clever, talented, amazing, and extremely gorgeous boyfriend on the whole island." He punctuates each description with a kiss to another part of the elf's face and jaw.
"If you have to think about it in those terms for it to make sense; I think all parts of you are gorgeous, even the ones you think are weird, so I'd like to see them, if you're alright with showing me. Maybe that won't help, but maybe it will. You tell me."
Later on, after the embarrassment and the self-loathing comes and goes, Badou will find appreciation within Roberto's choice not to lie. It's much better like that.
A drink is welcoming, though the subject of journalism is one the older man probably never thought was an eggshell.
"Why? I mean, the money, sure. But you only wanna inform people right? Not get....famous or something?" There's something loaded in his tone, something sad and apprehensive both.
Roberto glances back at Badou, face carefully neutral as he tries to work out what minefield he might be stepping in this time. He doesn't want to get back into another argument.
Though honestly, if he's reading Badou's tone right, his straightforward answer probably won't provoke one.
"Having a business of my own and not just selling articles to whoever will buy them is nice. Journalism doesn't really make that much, relatively speaking. Astarion's raking in so much I feel like a damn sugar baby." He snorts and shakes his head.
"Anyway, journalism was never about getting famous for me. That's hard as hell anyway. It's about the story and getting it out to the masses."
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The question of souls and reincarnation is above Roberto's pay grade, really. He's not terribly keen on knowing more than what little he can make a vague guess on. Knowing the tiny bit more about Plants that he'd learned from Vash was more then enough for him.
There were things in the world that humans probably weren't meant to explore, and he was content with that.
Worms are at least a much easier subject.
"I think the people who named them saw the big, long ones in the sand at first and called those ones Worms. Probably didn't realize they were all the same species at first. They're just different stages of the same thing, and they get even smaller, too. When they spawn, they look like an aurora for all the glowing little dots floating in the air." He leans back and sighs, stretching out his side again.
"I don't know how that one takes human form. I know Meryl and I got attacked and knocked out by a swarm of the things, and then that one showed up. When I tried to shoot at them, they broke into a swarm of the little ones and then formed back up. All I know is they were talking like they're all the Worms and wanted to know who to throw their support behind."
Mo Xuanyu nods his head. That makes sense, he thinks. "Aurora... oh-- I've heard of that," he perks his head up. "I read about it in a book from the library, there were pictures."
Strange that something dangerous and terrible, at least from Roberto's description of them, could be beautiful like that-- but terrible things were often beautiful after all. Or at least... to judge whether something was dangerous merely based on how it looked wasn't wise. Still, he can't say he'd mind seeing it. Or just a regular aurora, since those weren't known for eating humans, as far as he knew.
He wondered if there were any here in this world. The books talked about them... maybe if he went to the right place at the right time.
Ah-- there his mind went, wandering off again. He pulled his attention back.
"So... it's not that one can change shape, but that they combine and then look human," he muses, pulling out his phone to type out some notes-- it might not be relevant in any way in this world, or to him, but he's gotten a habit of it nonetheless-- anything interesting he learns, he types it down. It's so handy to be able to carry all of these notes around with him-- a quick glance at his screen would reveal a good several dozen notes with titles ranging from Electricity to Aether Reserve Plants to How to talk to people. "Maybe... it is an illusion?" he suggests, thoughtfully pillowing his chin in his hand after tucking the phone away again.
"They're pretty; you can sort of hear them flying when there's that many. Between the Worms and the stars, it's never dark at night in the desert. If it wasn't such a hell-hole, it would be beautiful." He's... almost wistful. It had been all he knew his entire life after all. There was nothing in this world that was even close to what he knew.
"Apparently, yeah. Don't know if it's all the small Worms that can do that or just that group, but apparently, they're a whole hive mind, so it's probably all of them if I had to guess." He glances over and smiles a little at the note-taking. Good habit to be in, that. Roberto had most of his notes in his head, but that was mostly from long practice. He did still carry his notebook after all.
Writing by hand was more familiar and comfortable. Phones were still not the most natural thing for him.
"I felt the wind when they flew past me, so I don't think it's an illusion. They made the little tiny ones form up into shapes and change colors, so I'd say it's probably something like the bigger ones forming the bulk of their body and the tiny ones making the details and outside form. Or something. At least the Worms just kidnapped us, though one of the big ones did swallow us up before. If I had to guess, that was probably to get Nicholas with our group at the time." He hadn't exactly pulled all that over properly since. Not a lot of time between finding out about where Wolfwood came from and dying and coming here. But now that he's thinking about it, it makes sense.
"Ah, Nicholas was working for the same guy the Worms were. I really don't think it was willingly, though. Didn't get any of the story from him, so I won't go guessing more of it." Not his story to tell, after all.
At least they're not yelling at each other anymore. Roberto doesn't like arguing, not like this, so it's a relief that tempers have simmered down and cooled off. They don't agree, not really, but Roberto will take what he can get.
"I'm not making any promises, but I'm not one of those people who run right for danger either. I do try to keep out of trouble. More than some other people I can name." Honestly, most of the trouble Roberto finds himself in is because he got dragged there by someone else. It's not his fault his kids and boyfriend are trouble magnets!
The yelling has tired Badou out, to be honest. Emotionally, spiritually. His throat hurts. Agree to disagree is about how they'll have to leave it here, though clearly by the glare he aims at Roberto at his statement, he's not a fan of that in particular.
Roberto isn't stupid (or cruel) enough to make promises he knows he can't keep. So he gives a smile that's more grimace than anything and doesn't say anything. It's already dumb to care about people enough to be willing to sacrifice yourself for them. He knows it.
Damn his kids for slamming straight through his walls. He blames Meryl, specifically.
A drink is just what he needs. Maybe three.
"Good. I need one." Off he slouches, heading for the nearest bar. Quality doesn't matter so much, just nearness. They need a distraction.
"By the way, I'm starting a newspaper. You ever wanna be a journalist, let me know."