September open log

[emet_sulk]

🧙 WHO: Emet-Selch and YOU
⚔️️ WHAT: Local Ascian attempts to catch fairy coins and also dons his old robes for anonymity
🕒 WHEN: Throughout September
🗺️ WHERE: Lestari, Camelot (see prompts)
⚠️ WARNINGS: Necromancy but otherwise none


1. Bright-eyed and Bushy-tailed

"A fairy coin?"

The old man nods. "They wake around now when the weather grows cooler. Would you catch one for me? You should be able to find them in Lestari, if memory serves." His eyes crinkle at the edges as he smiles. "I'll be fine without you for a day or two. I really would like to see one before I die."

Emet-Selch can hardly refuse the request. Surely he can be excused from visiting the old man for a day in order to fulfil a request like this? It's with this trepidation that he sets out on the journey there together with the Elphame Traders. When he arrives, he has to pause and stare at the incredible city, before belatedly realising he's blocking the way of those arriving behind him. He hastily moves further in, but he continues to stare at his surroundings and pay little mind to where he's wandering.

It seems that he'll have to partake of these...fizzy lifting drinks in order to catch a fairy coin. Well, the traders are paying him and others to try them so he supposes he may as well make it easier on himself.

How hard could it be to float anyway? He used to do it all the time.

...As it turns out, once he starts drifting upwards, that there's no easy way to propel himself through the air when he lacks his usual magicks. Emet-Selch flails about a few heads above, spinning in slow, lazy circles as he tries to snatch on to something as an anchor.

"Curse this dratted...!" he growls out. He makes a swipe for a strut and just misses, the movement causing him to rotate well out of reach. The Ascian utters a string of expletives in a foreign tongue - not his native language for once but Ancient Allag.

2. Gathering the Undead

Being a necromancer, Emet-Selch inexplicably finds himself involved in the ritual to obtain ashes of the dead for the cauldron. Isolating one of the walking dead is the easy part; it's bringing them back that's difficult.

Those on the road to the Land of Rot will see an amusing sight: a robed man in a mask arguing with a skeleton.

"Do you want me to take you apart? No? Then I suggest you keep walking!" the man says irritably. He steps back smartly as the skeleton makes a swipe at him then jabs his finger in its blank face.

"I command you. Now, keep walking. I would rather not carry your foetid bones in a sack."

And to think that he could freely command the souls and spirits of the dead in his home world... Why must they be so disobedient here?

3. Secret Ascian Man (🗡️ if engaging at night)

The robed man is back. In fact Emet-Selch has taken to wearing his old outfit on his excursions into the city. Though the garb garners a few stares, it's far more preferable to the open whispering and looks of judgement. Neither his crime nor his face will not soon be forgotten.

Perhaps you spot him in the middle of the day buying groceries. Or perhaps you run across him at night, sitting on a bench staring forlornly at the stars. It's during the latter that another masked man swaggers up and brandishes a sword at Emet-Selch.

"Hearken, fiend! Your time is at an end!"

There is a moment where he seems to not have heard. Then his head slowly lolls to the side and he stares at the vagabond. Sighs.

"I'm not in the mood," he tells them, returning his gaze to the night sky. The vagrant seems miffed and moves forward to thrust the tip of their sword near his face. Before they can speak again, Emet-Selch stiffens and growls.

"I said, I'm not in the mood."

(As ever, if you have an idea you want to run by me, please feel free to PM this account or drop a comment on the CR meme.)

Comments

closed to Gokudera

[emet_sulk]

Things are quiet once more in his little spot of domesticity. Hythlodaeus is smiling again, Emet-Selch feels better for eating proper meals again, and though business to his shop is almost non-existent thanks to his murder spree, it means that he's able to devote himself more fully to his craft.

He's not at the counter when Gokudera enters but there's a bell which the young man can ring for service. Judging by the faint sounds of wood scraping against wood and rustle of clothing, Emet-Selch is likely in the back room.

[bakudan_bambino]

He didn't bother to try messaging Emet. Stopping by the shop has become a daily habit. He walks in hears rustling in the back, but does not immediately assume it's from the shop owner. Instead, the boy is browsing. The past few times he's stopped in, he's been looking at what is available, and he has enough coin to pay for a mini potion... or two, if they're available. Gokudera isn't sure what the stock is like but he'd be willing to donate pixie dust he'd collected a good while ago with Midoriya once upon a time.

Gokudera has a habit of collecting some strange things. You never know when they could come in handy.

Not wanting to disturb anyone, he doesn't bother to ring the bell, and instead moves to walk about the counter and see if he assumes Hythlodaeus needs any help.

But... that's not him.

"You're back!" Gokudera says with obvious relief, then schools his smile away. It's not leaving his eyes, though.

[emet_sulk]

Emet-Selch pauses when he sees the young man. He looks...uncertain as to how to respond but, similarly, he quickly wipes the expression away.

"I am. Thank you for checking in on my friend while I was...occupied." There. That's the obligatory words out of the way. An awkward pause follows as he tries to think of where to steer the conversation. In the end, he latches on to something he recalls Hythlodaeus telling him amongst all the chatter.

"I hear the potion I prescribed has been working well for you."

[bakudan_bambino]

"No problem." It wasn't some kind of chore, since Hythlodaeus was more or less looking after him. Felt kind of nice, actually. Maybe because Gokudera likes settling into a routine. Now that Emet is back, however, he'll have to find something else to do instead of bothering this older couple. He wouldn't want to intrude or inconvenience them.

"Yeah," Gokudera even told him so over the network, but Emet-Selch was obviously preoccupied.

"About it... I want to take this off, and I think that your shrinking potion may be a good attempt." Not like... a full dose solution, but he will be actively trying to get out of his collar using it. He just has to see how small the mini potion will make him.

[emet_sulk]

The isolation hadn't been very kind to him. Thankfully he has Hythlodaeus to lean upon.

"Oh?" He sets down the box he had brought out from the back and takes a seat on the stool at the counter. "I thought removing it would be dangerous for you. Or am I remembering incorrectly?"

[bakudan_bambino]

"That's right. If I try to remove it, it will take off my head. But... if I can stay in it, but be small enough to remove myself... It's at least worth a shot."

It could also be very risky. Anything involving this stupid collar is. Gokudera's accepting of it, but he also has no idea what will happen if he shrinks suddenly. He'd assume that the collar would shrink with him, but... if he changes quickly enough and can get out of it, he could be free. Finally.

[emet_sulk]

"In my testing, the potion will shrink whatever it falls upon. If you can avoid getting it on your collar, you could become small enough to escape it."

He drums his fingers idly on the counter surface, thinking. One may well ask how he managed to place such a potion in a container without also shrinking it. His personal theory is that intent plays a small part in its effects. Pixie dust is difficult to work with.

"But are you willing to risk injury or, dare I say, death should it go wrong? I don't mind being on hand in case aught goes awry, but I am no healer. I can try to administer the antidote before it attempts to go off if need be but then it may cut you in half as you grow back unless there is a way to keep it aligned with your neck."

[bakudan_bambino]

"I'll trickle it directly onto my crown, then." He says. Sounds easy enough.

Having been shrunk by pixies before, he just remembers it being cold weather, but not really the specifics on how he shrank.

"I am." Gokudera replies almost as soon as Emet finishes that question. "I'll find a healer, then. I've already troubled you enough for two different types of potions..." He doesn't want to be a burden, and also doesn't want him to watch if something goes horribly wrong.

"But I told you, I've died before. I'd definitely be willing to risk it if I could be free."

[emet_sulk]

Such a sentiment would sound more heroic in other circumstances. Emet-Selch harrumphs quietly before slipping off his stool again, crouching to reach a locked drawer. In it, one of very few Mini potions made the last time he possessed enough pixie dust for them.

"Well, mayhap I should be on-call after all. If you die, I can at least communicate with your ghost." He straightens after re-locking the drawer, holding up the little bottle to Gokudera. "You have the coin to pay now or shall I make a note of what you owe?"

1

[luciing]

When the Elphane Traders mention that the so-called "fairy coins"-- stars-- are magical sources energy that have the ability to guide the dead through Avalon, he sets off at once to gather them. Are ​they living rocks? Actual stars? Magical lights? No doubt finding them himself will reveal the answers. Wary of the bubble-drinks offered at the aptly dubbed bubble-bar, Somnus merely takes the bottle with him into the caverns of Lestari to begin his star-hunt, opting to, perhaps, consume it only if necessary. His magic is kinetic; surely that will be enough.

He decision to withhold the drink seems to be fortunate, for when he spots another in the caverns floating haphazardly for anchor, Somnus stops at the edge of black cavern moss, craning his neck to look upon the spectacle with a neutral expression. Flying by foreign, magical means is undoubtedly more difficult than it appears.

"Hail, traveler," he greets, cordial. His voice carries within the cavern, even as the fairy coins buzz about. While he cannot be sure exactly how well the stranger might be aware of his surroundings, flying about like that, he offers nonetheless: "You may find purchase upon the grand stalactite to your left."

[emet_sulk]

He twists around in mid-air - and that movement alone almost causes him to miss the stalactite the stranger points out. He grabs hold of the tip and pulls himself over, trying not to think about how undignified he must appear clinging to a rock.

"My thanks," he says grudgingly. Now, though, he faces another problem: the fairy coins themselves. They seem to be hovering dangerously close to his face. While that's certainly good for catching them, they are perhaps a little too close for comfort. He tries to wave them back a bit without much success.

"Curse these things," he mutters as he shields his face from one darting near his eyes. "I need but a few of you. Leave me be!"

[luciing]

Coming to this cave to gather these fairy coins is, if nothing else, an effective way of passing the time for how elusive they appear to be. Somnus thumbs the cap of the bubble-drink, strapped to his belt beneath his cloak, for a moment's consideration...

...And, seeing once more how the stranger struggles in the air, continues to refrain from drinking it. Instead, his hand drops to his side, lax, and uncorks two other sizable bottles. A few seconds later, both the bottles and the corks kinetically levitate up to where the other continues to bat away the fairy coins.

"Struggle not. Let us work as one."

Using his magic, he positions the bottles a meter or so in the air from the other cave-traveler, much like a set of goals in some sport to allow him to wave, chase, or throw the fairy coins into them. If he bats enough fairy coins into the bottles, Somnus will place the stopper upon them.

[emet_sulk]

He stares in surprise at the two floating bottles. Quickly understanding what the other man intends, he starts to swipe at the floating creatures with purpose. A few go in by happy accident but most dodge his hands and continue buzzing about.

"--Argh!"

One flies straight at his face and...into his eyes. He loses his grip on the stalactite as he instinctively brings his hands to his eyes, compounding the disorientation as he starts floating around again.

[luciing]

Somnus stares up at the spectacle in silence for a few extra beats, expression flat as he watches the other waft through the air.

Unfortunately, there is only so much one can do from the cavern floor when one is wary of fae-drinks in general. For the moment, though, Somnus continues to keep the jars afloat, moving them in ways in hopes to catch any wayward stars. Each one that is caught makes a distinct ring within the glass. The sound is pleasant, like bells within a shrine.

“Are these fairy coins worth your efforts?”

Efforts? More like struggles.

[emet_sulk]

Lowering his hands, he shoots the man beneath him a sour look. There seems to be something...different about his eyes now.

"'Tis a request I must fulfil. I'm told they only appear at this time of the year."

His drifting course eventually takes him near another stalactite. He reaches out and manages to grab hold of the tip, anchoring himself in place amongst the fluttering creatures.

[luciing]

Even from a distance, the difference in his eyes are noticeable. Of course. No task, mundane or otherwise, is without some sort of stipulation within Avalon, and his arms uncross as he takes a step forward, one dark brow raising. As for the sour look, Somnus merely tips his chin upward, indifferent.

“Aye. The Traders task us the same.” Hence the bottles he had brought to capture them. While the same traders mentioned a reward to one who gathers the most, by his act of assisting the stranger, it should be obvious he cares little for it. In the same vain of assisting the other, it is no surprise that he points out what the other cannot see for himself.

“Traveler, your eyes appear bewitched.”

Unfortunately Somnus has no solution to undo it, other than maybe recommending that the stranger leave the cavern just in case the glowing eyes warn of a more nefarious curse.

[emet_sulk]

One hand immediately goes to his eyes. They don't feel any different, besides a slight ache from when the coin had flown into his face.

"Don't call me a traveller," he mutters. He looks about, but there is nothing close to resembling a reflective surface nearby for him to see what they're referring to. Louder, he continues, "It must be some property of those things. I don't feel odd at all."

He starts waving that hand at the fairy coins flitting about, trying to drive them into the bottles once more. "Let's fill these and be done with it. If I have to be stuck in the air for half a bell more anyway then I will damn well make the most of it."

3.

[menphina]

It has been a while since she's seen him— mostly because she was recovering and healing, and was too upset to bother to see him. Part of her was far too hurt to even want to approach him again, feeling as though there was no point when he could easily hurt even her-

Yet there was so much she knew better, and too much that she couldn't just give up on. Even if her partners were furious at her condition after finding her— she refused to let them take any action on her part. She could fight her own battles.

As she did, she even made sure to check in with Hythlodaeus- just to ensure he was doing well. He may have even been sent some teas and treats after his return, though she was doing no better. They may have not gotten terribly close, but his presence was a good one if only for how much Emet-Selch was happy around him.

As for her— Even now she had to move with care, no straining, and certainly no fighting on her own. Nocturnal as she is, she escapes at night when everyone in the household is asleep. Unlike normally, her clothing recently is more concealing— the wounds on her body bandaged and looked after by herself and Jakurai, but she still doesn't want to reveal too much of her state to her friends and worry them.

So, she has a cloak over her to conceal what cannot be, and when she sees him sitting quietly and morose under the evening sky, she's filled with momentary dread. She almost thinks to turn away, when—

She stills, listening to the argument, cursing when she can't bring herself to turn away. She ought to, but she's never been one to do so-

Even when the person involved has hurt her.

Damn her pathetic, caring nature.

And just before the stranger can begin to protest, Emet will find a shadow covering him from the light of the moon— a half-gloved and bandaged hand grabbing the owner's wrist and twisting it hard before he can make a move to make him drop the sword and snarling threateningly at him.

"He's just bloody sitting, now leave before I decide to show you a place to stick that damn blade."

Small and injured she might be, but there's still enough of a threat in her demeanor that the man protests feebly before withdrawing, rubbing his wrist in pain and cursing under his breath. Left with the silence, she finally turns her head, fixing Emet with a sharp look that eventually relaxes, before she finally turns around fully and looks him over.

She remembers the robes from many memories, and she's quiet for a bit before sighing.

"Were you really expecting for sods like that to leave you be after that display of yours? Honestly."

It's scolding masking her concern and upset. She's hurt, emotionally and physically, but right now, it's him she's worried about.

Much to her own annoyance.

[emet_sulk]

He stares at her without expression then returns to staring at the stars. It's so difficult to see them with a brightly lit city...

"I can defend myself," he says tonelessly. But then he sighs. "Hythlodaeus would weep if I sat here and allowed myself to be killed."

Oh, but since she's here, this is as good an opportunity as any. "I meant to apologise for what I did to you."

[menphina]

"Bloody good job you were doing of it." She remarks, her expression visibly displeased. She's turning to follow his gaze, wondering what he can see in this city-sky, when-

Oh.

Her ears droop, and she folds her arms, glancing away for a moment.

"You weren't yourself." She finally says, unable to really hold her anger after all that time. "Doesn't mean I forgive what happened. You hurt me."

It's clear she isn't referring to just the physical aspect of it, but after that- she turns and sighs.

"... why didn't you come check on me? I waited after I came to. Hoping you'd at least make the attempt."

so sorry for the wait

[emet_sulk]

His brow furrows. "Did I not send you a message after I was released...? I must have forgotten."

He sighs, closing his eyes. He slowly topples sideways and stretches out along the bench, legs dangling off the side because he is too tall to comfortably fit.

"I apologise. I was-- I am still tired. I have to care for an old man, keep my business afloat, tend to Hythlodaeus..."

And resist the urge to dwell on what is all the point of this.

always worth the wait ♥

[menphina]

She's about to make a remark about him finding her so easy to forget, as she does in her humorous way to make people laugh or groan, but at the moment, it's difficult to. With what happened, and knowing- realistically, that if he could have avoided it, he would have, her own feelings are in conflict.

She hopes, anyway.

But she listens- it doesn't make it hurt any less, that she was such an afterthought, but at the same time, she can't even contest it. Doesn't she lose time to looking after her loved ones as well?

As he lays down, she folds her arms and looks aside, quiet for a bit, before shaking her head.

"The only reason I'm even considering forgiving you is because of all we've been through already." She states, honestly. "... when you were Solus, you were still a distant entity, fearsome, yet still avoidable in history. As the Sorcerer of Eld- still someone far beyond what I could comprehend. But this..."

She looks at him, sighing.

"This time, you really frightened me, Hades. Because you were so very real. And so close."

And that's what made him so much more frightening. She looks sidelong at him, expression concerned.

"... Do you want to talk about it? Or has that happened enough to exhaust you already?"

She doesn't want to beat a dead horse, but she also didn't want to lie to him about her own feelings.

[emet_sulk]

His mouth turns down at the corners. His jaw clenches.

"I am quite done talking about it," he mutters. "I have been...berated and scolded enough. If you are expecting me to feel guilt about the deaths, I tell you now that I do not."

Curling up a little against the cold, he continues, "Go ahead and hate me for it. I would prefer that you do."

No-one as yet has truly been angry with him and he struggles to understand where that forgiveness comes from. He can attribute Hythlodaeus' care to the bias of love, but the condemnation he seeks from others is utterly lacking. He can see his own flaws clear as day - why can't anyone else?

[menphina]

Her own fists clench a bit to her sides, reminded again, that this man was responsible for countless deaths across the ages with his brethren. Even if it's beyond her understanding, the implications of the rejoinings are not.

She never forgot, but she imagines now, now that he's done them out of a selfish anger, it makes it even more clear how far he's fallen from his own thoughts of paradise.

The very things he saw to hate in the rest of the sundered. She shakes her head, as she carefully moves to sit on the ground in front of the bench he's on, grimacing from the pain in her body, and with her back to him, she looks in front of herself.

"I would, but I think you hate yourself enough. Even if not for the lives you claimed, but for everything around it." She states bluntly. She's quiet for a bit, before looking at him over her shoulder.

"I can't forgive you or love you for the lives you've taken, but I can't hate you as a person, having known you as I have. Even if it would be wiser to step away, be angry enough to have you lose a friend. Believe me, I was tempted, and I do hate what you did." A sharp look in his direction, before she turns around and moves her arms over the side of the bench.

"But if we didn't have forgiveness, we wouldn't know most of the people we have in our lives." She reaches up and pokes his nose with her finger from where she's seated. "So stop acting like you're supposed to be some exemplary paragon of perfection. You've always been flawed. But you're not evil, Hades.

If you were, I wouldn't have come back."

She lets those words sink in, before sitting sideways now- parallel to where he's resting his head so he can turn and look at her if he wants.

"... and I missed you. More than I imagine you've missed me." She adds, ear flicking with a wry smile at him.

[emet_sulk]

He pushes her hand away from his nose. She isn't high on his list of acquaintances, it's true. She has no direct stake in the ages-long conflict between Ascian and mortal man, and her soul isn't one he knows from ancient times. He wouldn't miss her if she disappeared (though he would notice; she has left enough of an impression for that much).

"It would be easier if I was 'evil'."

He thinks about it sometimes, how it would be easier to give in to his worst impulses. Evil people, he's sure, don't agonise over their existence.