thenearshore | Dagda's unexpected parting gift

Entry tags:

Dagda's unexpected parting gift

Who: Caster (Cú Chulainn), Yona, Votelli
When: after Hinamatsuri
Where: Dagda's forest and cliff
What: Tipped off by the strange dolls, Caster goes to investigate Shizuo's temple only to find him disappeared. And also that he left there someone no one expected to find in Heavens

[ Caster doesn't stay long around the Hinamatsuri. Mostly because of the dolls. Because of one doll, to be exact. Those belonging to people he knew here were bad enough, but he was aware of their disappearances - 'returning home' as he prefers to see it, thanks to Add information - until Shizuo doll arrived on a boat.

Soon, he finds his way back to Heaven's to the connecting points where the forests of two gods intertwined with each other, and as he moves quickly through it he already notices the changes- the forest is still here, but it is no longer as abundant with wildlife, no longer feels so lush. Instead, it settles for the primeval feel Caster's own forest bears. Oh don't tell, that's what you left me, bastard-

And once he reaches the hill and the cliff- there's no temple on top of it. ]

Hope you returned where you belong, friend [ To the mortal everyday life, you missed so much. Isn't that the goal for every one of the new gods here? To go back. Still, it's damn shame to never have the opportunity to say goodbye. Just because Caster might be used to parting ways, doesn't mean he likes it.

Caster walks towards the cliff, finding the entrance to the tunnels and what-not while deciding who to call first. Two people come to mind, Yona and Alex. He calls Yona first-

Shizuo was her shinki and always was her good friend, even before the change to a god that happened later. Bearing news like this, that always sucks ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Yona takes the news surprisingly in stride - people vanishing here is something she's doing her best to accept, having been through it again and again. Although with Shizuo, it's different, because she has no idea where he'd gone back to and she could only hope that encounter with the train might have somehow been avoided or righted or... something. There were enough inconsistencies she'd seen in the last moments of her own companions that made her second-guess most of what she knew of shinki "deaths" in this place.

When she arrives at the site of Shizuo's former temple, there's a slight redness to her eyes - the only hint of the grief she'd felt at the loss of a dear friend - but she does her best to muster a smile for Caster as she approaches him. ]

And here I'd been all prepared to say "welcome back" when you called me, but this was not the welcome I intended. [ She glances around, her smile dimming a little. ] I thank you for calling me to let me know, however.

[ Caster returns the smile, albeit it is strained in a similar fashion. Being able to smile in face of loss is a sign of strength in his book, but it doesn't mean that comfort is not allowed. Quite on the contrary, he steps closer and instead of saying anything, he wraps Yona in a big, brotherly hug. ]

He was a good friend and he will be missed. [ Caster says finally as he moves away, but his hand is still on Yona's shoulder ] I've noticed the structure that was under his temple is-- left intact.

[ Now he doesn't know how to imply it clearly, but- when Lancer left there were letters. It is possible that Shizuo also left something for people here, for Yona. Some people prefer to find such mementos alone, others with a company. So that's what for he is here. He takes a key out of a pocket and moves it idly between his finger. And that brings him an idea- ]

I've got a key, I had a- room there, when I wanted some silence- [ That feels like ages ago ] Would you keep me company?

[ She's caught off guard by the hug, not having expected that from the other god, but that doesn't mean she pulls away from it. In fact, after a frozen moment of surprise, she leans into him, fingers clutching at his clothing for a moment as she buries her face against his chest and takes a deep, shuddering breath. Pulling her composure back together, she pulls back with a grateful smile and a nod. ]

He was and he will. [ She agrees softly, before glancing down at the key he holds with a puzzled look on her face. ]

Wait, there's a portion of his temple still here? That's... that's very unusual, isn't it?

[ Yona gets one more head pat after they part. And he's always close as they walk. Given his touch nature his hands brush her shoulder probably more than once. ]

It is- [ Caster nods, giving the look around one more time as he leads them to the entrance of the tunnel. Noting all the differences that are happening in the area, maybe not directly before their eyes, but quickly enough to be noticed ] Seems that my forest is taking place of Dagda's forest.

[ He can tell the difference, he always could tell where the border between both temple grounds was exactly, and now there is none. The land didn't change or disappear or got modified, it seems to belong to him now. Time to open the door, and walk in- it is strange to see the tunnels and rooms under the main temple left intact, let alone explore it. ]

I will take good care of it. You know, in case he returns. [ And even if he doesn't it's the right thing to do. ]

(( OOC: Due to the timezone difference and all kinds of scheduling, I wanted to suggest a "free-for-all" tag order, if you'd be okay with it. So for example if Votelli shows up, and I'm asleep, but Rynn has time and is in the middle of the day, she can tag back instead of waiting for my turn ))

Edited (added an OOC note) 2018-12-18 22:39 (UTC)

[There's a half-stifled gasp, and the quick patter of footsteps echoes from the end of the passageway. A small figure in a fluttering sundress vanishes around a corner.

The footsteps can be heard continuing to retreat.

She's not sure she knows those people-- and she definitely doesn't want strangers to find her here...!]

[ Yona stills abruptly at the commotion, gazing off down the hall for a moment. ]

There's someone else here!

[ And off she goes, taking off in quick pursuit. ]

Wait, please!

Who's there-?

[ The steps sound too light to be- well, to be Shizuo. But maybe his shinki is left here. Either way the person running away sees them as intruders- or is an intruder themselves. Caster launches himself just as Yona, but it takes him just a few steps to confirm the part of tunnels they actually are in. So he teleports ahead of both Yona and the running away person, to appear in the corridor ahead ]

Wait- are you Shizuo's--? [ Friend? Shinki? Guest? ]

[She recoils just a bare second before slamming bodily into Caster, pressing a hand over her mouth not quite in time to stifle the terrified squeak escaping her.]

You--

[She lets her hand fall, and says, warily:]

You know Shizuo?

[ There is- so many whys here

Why is Shizuo gone, would be the first one but they never get answer to that.

Why is Votelli under Shizuo's temple, or rather in the hill it used to stand on.

So she knows Shizuo too, not that surprising, a lot of people seem to know her but- ]

Yeah, he's our good friend- I saw a bad omen so I came to check on him. [ Caster takes a tiny step back, to not tower over her too much. He can be intimidating but he's not meaning to be right now. ]

[ When the young girl collides with Caster, Yona skids to a stop behind her, halting her own pursuit, surprise on her face. She has not yet encountered Votelli, and so has no idea who the girl might be. ]

Shizuo and I arrived here in the Heavens on the same day. We were... very close. [ There's a note of sorrow in Yona's expression, a hint of the grief she felt at his departure, but she manages to muster a sad smile as she searches the girl's face curiously. ]

You knew him, as well? May I ask your name?

[She steps away, glancing suspiciously at both. She recognizes Caster but Yona is a stranger.]

Shizuo said that I can stay as long as I want. [she says in small voice.] I woke up and he's not here. Where is he?

[ Is he supposed to do the introductions now? Yona, meet Votelli, the rogue god we sorta, kinda, were helpin..g...out... get away from her sensei or what not? More then just helping around, clearly, if Shizuo let her in here.

What to make out of it? ]

Sorry Squirrel, he's gone and so is his temple. He went back home and all that.

[ Shizuo back to his life, and- the Dagda probably to Ireland ]

Oh. [Votelli glances at each of them. It doesn't look like they're lying. She bites her lip.]

My room is still here.

[It wouldn't be here if Shizuo and his temple vanished.]

This tunnel up would lead to his temple. You can go and try to see for yourself. There's just-- an empty hill left.

[ Caster had to deliver this news once, now he is doing it again. There are still people who don't know so-- not first, not last. While he's not as visibly upset he clearly is just--

saddened. ]

[She looks at him without saying a word. Suddenly she whirls in place and rushes to the entrance. Their words sound sincere, but Shizuo won't be gone so suddenly!

She stops on the threshold leading to Dagda's temple. Tears well in her eyes.]

Why- why would he disappear?

[ Caster rushes after her- can't let the rogue godling walking the Heaven's unsupervised. He climbs the stairs and when he sees her reaction... oh. Man, Shizuo, Shizuo, what he's supposed to do now?

He walks closer and puts a hand on Votelli's head. A comforting gesture. ]

Not sure how much do you know- [ Not sure how much others told you. Not sure how much your Sensei told you. ] But some of the new gods recently... eh, they've been humans. It's like they got a temporary job of filling in for a god that started to get worshiped again, I suppose.

[ That can't hurt, right? He clicks his tongue. ]

I expected the worst when I saw that doll-

[She stiffens under the touch. When nothing happens Votelli gradually relaxes. She still keeps her face turned away from Caster.]

...Shizuo is a friend. He's kind, and his temple is- it feels safe.

[She says in small voice. Then-]

What doll?

[ But the temple is no more and- well her room is still here. The weight of the decision what to do about it hangs on him- ]

I agree- I feel the same. See, he gave me a room too. So when I wanted to get some space of my own I came here. [ He still got that key to room in the tunnels too. In the end, he was too committed to his duties to use it as often as he could-

A shame really. ]

Yeah, dolls. Dolls of us, new gods and shinki were strewn across the river. Every one representing someone that was lost or disappeared. [ So you can imagine why he got worried when he saw Shizuo among them ]

[ ...

Nope, she blinks when he mentions 'dolls' again and tries to listen as he keeps speaking, but no hint of comprehension goes across her face. ]

Sensei never mentioned dolls. These dolls took Shizuo away from us?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Dagda's unexpected parting gift

no subject

no subject

no subject

NPC request sent

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject