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thenearshore2017-03-14 09:47 pm
drops_acid) wrote in thenearshore2017-03-14 09:47 pm
Entry tags:
Prayer 26
Who: Cardia and Lavi
What: Prayer 26
Where: Various places
When: June 24th
Warnings: None
[This is the first prayer she's tried to answer, so Cardia is understandably nervous. The elderly potter's home is small, but the pottery studio in the back is spacious and contains ample evidence of the man's skill. It might seem like an odd choice to focus his decorations on Norse mythology, but the results are quite stunning.
She'd expected that getting him to elaborate on his problems might be difficult, but he seems more than willing to share with any sympathetic ear. It seems that he had several students, all promising and seemingly dedicated. But in recently they all quit unexpectedly. One stating that there was no money to be made in the craft and he had to think of his future. Another said her parents had been hounding her to 'find a real job.' And the last, still in middle school, had simply said he wasn't coming back. No real explanation.
The old man can't imagine where he went wrong. And none of his former students will speak to him. Now he can only pray and hope for a miracle. Cardia listens carefully, then nods.]
I understand. We'll do what we can.
[The old man smiles faintly. Cardia is almost sad that he will remember little of this encounter later. One of the downsides of two shores interacting.]
For even doing that much, you have my gratitude. I pains me to think of the knowledge and skill that will die with me. I wish you luck.
Thank you.
[As they leave, she casts a glance back at the house.]
He seems so kind. Quitting is one thing, but it's strange that his students won't even speak to him...
What: Prayer 26
Where: Various places
When: June 24th
Warnings: None
[This is the first prayer she's tried to answer, so Cardia is understandably nervous. The elderly potter's home is small, but the pottery studio in the back is spacious and contains ample evidence of the man's skill. It might seem like an odd choice to focus his decorations on Norse mythology, but the results are quite stunning.
She'd expected that getting him to elaborate on his problems might be difficult, but he seems more than willing to share with any sympathetic ear. It seems that he had several students, all promising and seemingly dedicated. But in recently they all quit unexpectedly. One stating that there was no money to be made in the craft and he had to think of his future. Another said her parents had been hounding her to 'find a real job.' And the last, still in middle school, had simply said he wasn't coming back. No real explanation.
The old man can't imagine where he went wrong. And none of his former students will speak to him. Now he can only pray and hope for a miracle. Cardia listens carefully, then nods.]
I understand. We'll do what we can.
[The old man smiles faintly. Cardia is almost sad that he will remember little of this encounter later. One of the downsides of two shores interacting.]
For even doing that much, you have my gratitude. I pains me to think of the knowledge and skill that will die with me. I wish you luck.
Thank you.
[As they leave, she casts a glance back at the house.]
He seems so kind. Quitting is one thing, but it's strange that his students won't even speak to him...
no subject
Students leaving without an explanation, some without even bothering to talk to the old man again. To him, the old man seems nice enough - there wasn't anything that didn't seem particularly menacing, and Lavi likes to rely on his instinct.
He presses his lips together before he breathes out.]
We can try to talk to his former students. [It irks Lavi that they would all leave their mentor like that without a proper explanation.]
Maybe if we figure out exactly why they left, it might help. They won't talk to him, but perhaps they'll talk to us.
no subject
Perhaps we should start with the youngest one? The other two had excuses when they left, so they'd probably just tell us the same thing they told him...
[And both of their excuses were perfectly plausible. It's really only a gut feeling that makes Cardia think that something deeper is going on here.]
But if he doesn't have a story ready, then it'll be easier to get the truth out of him.
[Luckily the old man had been able to give them names and addresses for each one.]
no subject
The younger one it is. It's best to catch them unaware; they can't make up one on the spot.
[Not if they're an impulsive liar, but he doesn't want to get into that just yet. Besides, all of this seems troubling to Lavi as he can understand that something doesn't seem completely right here.]
Alright, where's his address?
no subject
One of Lupin's lessons, and hearing her shinki echo the sentiment brings a wave of bittersweet fondness. Cardia can't help the wistful smile flits across her face. She wonders what he and the others did after she-
Ah, no. Don't think about that. It had been her choice to leave. And there are more important things to worry about.]
I have it here. Let's see....
[She unfolds the paper the old man had given them and looks at the third address.]
He said it wasn't far from here. We're looking for... seventh street? He lives on the corner.
no subject
He studies the address before he looks away from the paper in order to look at the streets.
There's a quick scan, a quick way to figure which street they'll need to take before he notices the street signs.]
On the corner? [Lavi tilts his head to the side, slowing to a stop once he notices the street.]
Seventh street on the corner. Don't think it'll be too hard to miss.
no subject
I think this is it.
[As they start approaching the house, Cardia keeps her eyes on the door. Which is why she doesn't notice the trash can at the end of the driveway. Or the broken pieces of pottery lying near it until she steps on one.
Hm?
[She bends down to pick it up, turning the clay shard over in her hands. It's glazed on one side, and there is part of what may have been an elaborate decoration.]
What's this...?
no subject
His eye narrows, darting over to the trash can. Lavi goes to expect it closely, crouching down to pick up another broken piece.]
These are the same designs from the old man's.
[Which means they have found a clue.]
He's broken all of them.
no subject
[And the artisan had mentioned that this boy was particularly gifted. He might even have been able to sell some of them. She turns the piece she's holding over in her hand, tracing one gloved finger around a decorative curl.]
It seems like such a waste...
[Residents of the far shore typically have to be doing something that stands out to get the attention of people on the near shore.
Something like rooting through their trash.]
What the heck are you doing? Leave those alone!
[The object of their speculation is eyeing them suspiciously. It looks as if he was on his way home from school.]
no subject
He studies the human, blinking once as he takes him in.
A student.
Lavi briefly wonders if the boy can even see him, but that's not really important. If they got their attention, it's best not to lose it.]
Guess we've found him.
aaahhhh I lost track of this thread somehow and I am SO SORRY. ;_;
We were just looking at the pottery. It's a shame it's all broken. Was there an accident?
[She knows there wasn't, but she's hoping to get him talking.]
No! I just- Look, it's none of your business. Just... don't touch any of them, okay?
[She's studying his face closely, and there's a note in his tone that she recognizes. It's fear. But not of them. No, he's afraid for them. Cardia knows that feeling well.]
No worries!!
[A sidelong glance, somewhat prying.
There's a reason why this person is afraid, why he seems to have ditched the poor man alone in his trade.]
What do you know?
no subject
You know what? Fine. They're cursed. Happy?
Cursed?
[He mistakes Cardia's surprise for disbelief. Which he was expecting. His parents hadn't believed him, why should random strangers? The frustration in his tone is building.]
Yeah, and this is the part where you tell me I'm crazy. Or I'm working too hard. Or lying. Right?
no subject
No, not crazy at all. In a way, it'd make sense.
[Lavi goes to inspect the pieces again, studying it closely before he looks at Cardia.]
Well, that explains some things.
no subject
It does.
[Cardia glances back at the boy.]
Can you tell us any details? We might be able to help.
Y-you believe me?
[He's a little incredulous, but when she nods he decides to take a chance.]
Um, it's weird. A few weeks ago I started hearing... voices. Telling me to stay away from my teacher's house. That I had no talent. That I'd be cursed if I didn't quit. I tried to tell my parents but they didn't believe me.
no subject
Voices?
He glances down at the pottery again before he turns to the boy.]
This started the moment you've begun learning from your teacher?