Left behind...

[lilys_poise]

Who: Elise (one open for anyone and one closed prompt for people at Odin's temple)
What: Konzen has disappeared and Elise is on her own. She's gonna cry about it.
When: Mid June(still waiting on the exact date)
Where: On the way to and at Odin's temple
Warnings: Sad little cinnamon roll?

[Waking up in an empty space where her god's temple used to be is jarring all on it's own. But she's been here long enough to have heard the stories. She knows what this means.

She spends the first few minutes looking anyway. Calling out for Konzen, or Haru. Even though she knows better. She's on her own. An hour or so of sitting and feeling sorry for herself does precisely nothing to help. So now what?]

Open-

[Leo had said that if anything happened, his temple would always be open to her. So that's where she's heading. But her slow plodding steps are hardly like Elise's usual cheerful demeanor. Her eyes are downcast, and tears sometimes slip down into the fish bowl she's carrying. 

Perhaps someone should ask what's wrong? Or ask why she's carrying a fishbowl.]


Closed to people at Odin's temple-

[Knock knock. It's Elise and her pet fish. And she looks like she's about to cry.]

Hi....

[Her breath catches in what is very nearly a sob]

C-can I come in?

Comments

[lilys_poise]

[Elise thinks about that for a minute. She has been walking for a while now. With a tiny sound somewhere between agreement and a whimper, she nods. After a couple of sniffles, she feels like she can speak again.]

I just... don't know what I'm gonna do...

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo gestures for her to follow him.

There's a bench nearby so they can sit there for a bit.]

Have you managed to find somewhere to stay first of all?

[lilys_poise]

[Elise carefully sets Arthur down on the bench before sitting down herself.]

Leo said I could come to his temple if anything happened.

[So at least she doesn't have to sleep on the street.]

But... I'm scared. They're gonna send me to some other god, right? What if they're mean?

[toremainbehind]

[Izumo presses his lips together.

It's a possibility, but then:]

Not if...not unless you find another god you trust to name you - to have you become their shinki.

[While he himself is godless, Izumo's not too worried.

But she's a child.]

If you can manage to find a kind god who can make you their shinki, it'll be fine. But at the same time, I don't want to give you false hope if you're assigned to another god either.

[lilys_poise]

[A god she can trust? Well, there are a few. But would they want her as a shinki? She wipes away the tears in her eyes.]

Maybe... But why do gods disappear anyway?

[Now she's pouting a little.]

And why do shinki get left behind? It's not fair!

[toremainbehind]

[Ah.

He smiles slightly.]

I wish that's a question I can answer. There's a lot about this that isn't fair.

[lilys_poise]

[Now she finally raises her eyes and looks at him, studying his face.]

Are you a shinki too?

[Because it seems like he understands.]

[toremainbehind]

[His smile widens a bit.]

I am.

[lilys_poise]

[Oh. So he does understand.]

What about your god? Are they nice?

[toremainbehind]

He was.

[Ah, he promised himself he wouldn't get sentimental.]

Like your god, my god is also gone.

[lilys_poise]

[Oh. He really does understand. Elise studies his face for a second, then leans over and hugs him tightly.]

I'm sorry. I bet you miss him too.

[toremainbehind]

[The hug takes him by surprise, but Izumo simply smiles and places a hand on top of her head.]

I do. [But that's all he'll say.] Though, it sounds as if you were quite close with your god.

[lilys_poise]

[She nods, and the hug loosens just a bit.]

Konzen was like family to me. He took care of me and played games with me and made me pancakes.

[toremainbehind]

He sounds like he was a nice man.

[A head pat.]

I'm sure you'll find a man like him soon to be just as kind as your god.

[lilys_poise]

You really think so?

[She looks up hopefully. Honestly Elise is just looking for some reassurance here. No one can promise she'll find someone nice, but it's still comforting to hear.]

[toremainbehind]

I do.

[And there's a gentle smile.

It's definitely not a promise, but he hopes he can comfort her as much as he can.]

[lilys_poise]

Thanks.

[Elise knows that there's no way to really tell what will happen, but positive thinking always helps.

At least, she thinks so. She dries her eyes and tries for a brighter smile.]

I... think I'll be okay now.

[She sounds a little bit like someone trying to convince herself, but it's still an improvement over crying into fish bowl.]

[toremainbehind]

[When Elise brightens up, Izumo's smile turns brighter as well.]

I'm glad to hear.

[He leans away a little.]

But if you ever need someone to talk to, you can always seek me out.

[lilys_poise]

[She nods gratefully]

Okay.

[Oh. Wait.]

Um, what's your name? I'm Elise.

[toremainbehind]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Elise.

My name is Izumo.

[lilys_poise]

Bye, Izumo! And thanks.

[He cheered her up a lot, and now she can set back out with a much lighter step.]