[Hey, wow, that weird guy from the Sika meet-and-greet finally emerged from his cave!
He's more exhausted than he looked yesterday, finally showing up in the cafe in the mid afternoon. He's in the same dark, thin pinstripe suit with a dark turtleneck rested underneath, tucked into one of the eggs with a cup of coffee and a croissant that hasn't been touched, a stare middling off into the wall in deep thought while his hand keeps his chin propped up.]
[Come morning Dehya feels a little hungover, which is certainly a feeling when you hadn't had a drop of alcohol the night before. Maybe it's the cacophony of screaming and also the difficulty sleeping.
First order of business is coffee and food, and then she beelines to the table Solomon is at and sets her tray down across from him.
[He starts a little when the enclosed table egg jostles slightly at the weight of another person. But his eyes soften in recognition.]
Ah, Dehya. Good morning. [He's trying to sound cheery, at least, though it's a little thin.] I can't say that I did, but I don't think I could put that past anyone with the afternoon we had.
[His hand rests against the handle of his coffee cup, less to take a drink and more to just keep it occupied.]
You acted very quickly for that boy. I hope he wasn't too much trouble to get to the infirmary.
[Dehya huffs out a breath. Her sour expression probably answers that.] Should have hauled him there myself. But he'll be fine, long as he keeps it clean. Did you check in with the other guy?
Stubborn, hm? My condolences. [Pick that white boy ass up off the ground next time queen we trust you.]
Fandaniel was as dodgy and mean-spirited as ever, so I don't doubt he'll be fine. Really, he was more perturbed at having company than his actual wounds.
No telling whether the affliction that passed over Don is contagious or not. We had some worries when it came to Fandaniel's blood, but he was quick to shrug it off, so I'd like to assume they weren't related.
Pretty sure we don't have to worry about that at least. [Small mercies, given everything else they're dealing with.] She was pretty upset about it. More than that other stuff done to her, you know.
[There's a slight sense of relief in the words as he reaches for his coffee cup.]
Part of me isn't surprised. She's come across as a very joyful person, very happy with those around her. Even the Extras. Being put into a position to hurt them might be a bigger wound to heal than that of the body.
Do you know if what happened to her afterwards was unusual for her?
Ah, no sorry. [Dehya rubs the back of her neck.] I just meant... you know, the way she was before she ran off. She called it a disease, but far as we can tell Lavi wasn't infected with anything.
[Maybe Dehya was assuming too much, but to have gone through all that pain and then the thing that gets her is that she's lashed out and hurt someone else? Guilt is the kind of thing that can really fester of it isn't let out.
Dehya shrugs.] Hard to say what was usual about any of that, but--I don't think it would have happened if not for everything with taking the ring off. She didn't seem to struggle when teaching her class.
Ah, I see... I would still like to keep an eye on both of them. Though for completely different reasons, I have my doubts either would communicate honestly if something was genuinely wrong.
And yes, I agree with that much. She was quirky, sure, but outside the age on her profile and the oddity of her name, I didn't think much was different until today.
...
[Although...]
She did ask Sika for assistance with something before the ring was removed. In the chaos of it all, I didn't pay it much attention, but... Maybe it was in regards to this disease of hers. A way to mute the danger of it.
Less so with Lavi, since I didn't see to him personally, but... to be frank? I trust Fandaniel's word about as far as I could throw him.
[Ah, but as far as Don's name goes? He relaxes a little, waving his hand non-committally.]
Ah, just that she shares the name of a famous character from fiction. It's not the first here I've met like that, either. But I'm fine with leaving that as pure coincidence for now - I don't think it has anything to do with the situation at hand, nor will it contribute to a solution.
At the topic change to Father, he lowers his cup back to the table, thinking. One of the rings against his fingers, one that does not bear the rose, traces idly against the ceramic.]
The chapel is in a style I recognize. And I think the similarities of this Father's demands are striking. But no, I would not say they're the same.
The Father that I know of is stubborn and vengeful, yes. He can be unforgiving and harsh and judgemental. There are plenty of stories of times of blood sacrifice of animals to forgive for sins.
I do not care for Him. But I've never known records of Him to go to this sort of length. Never has he pit living things against one another just to prove they deserve special attention.
You think maybe this god is just pretending to be him? [She does still think it's a god, if only because being able to so easily whisk them away into all of this must take a lot of power. And humans can't really teleport.
Possibly. It could just as easily be a different reflection of Him as well. Some perversion of another reality that believes in its truth, just slightly to the right of what other realities know.
[If Dehya wants to talk to god she can pencil in, so not that weird. She knows other gods in Tyria are less available though.]
Guess we can't expect much help there. [And she probably can't get in touch with Nahida either.] But as long as we don't give up I believe we'll figure something out.
You mentioned your world being slightly different, right? [Said as he brings his cup of coffee back to his lips.] You don't seem too bothered by the idea of something supernatural.
I couldn't tell you much about it except that it exists. [She shrugs.] But there's nothing weird about magic or gods in Teyvat. What's weird is there being only one god calling himself Father.
I guess? [In a tone that suggests she never had any reason to question it.] I mean, that depends what you call magic doesn't it? My Vision probably counts, even though it doesn't really work right now.
[But after the first night she kept it on hand again, so she holds up the bauble for Solomon to see.]
[Huh! He curiously leans in to take a better look. What a brilliant shade of red...]
Interesting...
Magic comes in all sorts, even where I'm from. But I wouldn't say people are very accommodating to it. More often than not, it's just treated as a parlor trick, or something out of a fairy tale.
Is it a power you're only able to use when this item is on your person?
That's right. Couldn't use it normally, but even if I never got a Vision I wouldn't deny magic exists. [There's just too much tangible evidence. Instead of being a thing scholars disprove it's just a thing they study.] I'm gonna guess whatever you could do isn't working either?
Right. [She always knew relying purely on something like her Vision was bad form, so she's not too worried if she needs to fight. Especially if everyone else is in the same state.
Though--] Thing those of us that can fight despite that should be prepared for things like... what happened yesterday. She stopped herself but if not, someone needs to be ready to step in.
Agreed. [The fact that two dropped as fast as they did.... they're very lucky it wasn't any worse.] I don't want to imagine what the causalities would have been.
I take it you're used to fighting, then. A soldier, maybe, or something more private?
[Noelle's execution is past them, and the day wanes. Solomon has long since left his bride outfit behind, now back in his normal dark pinstripes as he rummages quietly through the art studio. One of his hands is bandaged, wrapping down his arm under his sleeve, and his stance seems to be favored.
The basket he's kept on his person this week is now empty - it looks like it's unfortunately been reset now that the weekend's events are over, and someone has had to start from scratch on regathering everything he needs.
He'll turn if he hears that he has company, offering a tired smile and straightening up with a pained look in his eyes.]
Just continuing my project from the week. [Ah, here we go, this paper's thinner, this will work better for bulk... time to take some of this for his Basket 2.0.] I'd hoped to have people write down something important to them, and entrust with another. Like our "engagement", but more purposeful towards how to remember one another.
It wasn't entirely popular, so I've had to adapt it a little. But I still think it's important.
There's only so much to be done, Dehya. If we shouldered every tragedy that happened, we would lose our spark to live. [Guilt was a heavy, heavy thing to hold, twice over when circumstance was the culprit.]
The most we can do now is to remember her for who she was, what she meant to those around her, so that we might bring her back.
I know that, it's just frustrating to not even have a chance! [Hand hands ball into fists.] Being forced to play our stupid parts--if I wasn't being knocked unconscious every curfew, there'd be something I actually could do.
[This place has robbed her freedom, and given nothing not pain in return. She wants to turn the whole thing upside down.]
Then we will find it, in time. So long as we keep looking.
[It's an even timber against her rise of (understandable) temper.]
If she returns like the rest, she is going to need someone there to give her courage when she might not have any. To remember her will be the best we can do, Dehya.
We may have very little control, but it's all the more reason to cling very hard to what is still ours, even if it's simpler than we'd like.
I know it's the best I can do right now, what I'm saying is I want to do more! [She puts her hand to her head with an aggrieved growl.] This isn't me stopping and looking, Solomon. If anything, it's even more important we find a way to get everyone out of here, including who died.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
WEEK ONE - SUNDAY
He's more exhausted than he looked yesterday, finally showing up in the cafe in the mid afternoon. He's in the same dark, thin pinstripe suit with a dark turtleneck rested underneath, tucked into one of the eggs with a cup of coffee and a croissant that hasn't been touched, a stare middling off into the wall in deep thought while his hand keeps his chin propped up.]
no subject
First order of business is coffee and food, and then she beelines to the table Solomon is at and sets her tray down across from him.
She slides into the chair, heavy.] Sleep okay?
no subject
Ah, Dehya. Good morning. [He's trying to sound cheery, at least, though it's a little thin.] I can't say that I did, but I don't think I could put that past anyone with the afternoon we had.
[His hand rests against the handle of his coffee cup, less to take a drink and more to just keep it occupied.]
You acted very quickly for that boy. I hope he wasn't too much trouble to get to the infirmary.
no subject
no subject
Fandaniel was as dodgy and mean-spirited as ever, so I don't doubt he'll be fine. Really, he was more perturbed at having company than his actual wounds.
No telling whether the affliction that passed over Don is contagious or not. We had some worries when it came to Fandaniel's blood, but he was quick to shrug it off, so I'd like to assume they weren't related.
no subject
no subject
[There's a slight sense of relief in the words as he reaches for his coffee cup.]
Part of me isn't surprised. She's come across as a very joyful person, very happy with those around her. Even the Extras. Being put into a position to hurt them might be a bigger wound to heal than that of the body.
Do you know if what happened to her afterwards was unusual for her?
no subject
[Maybe Dehya was assuming too much, but to have gone through all that pain and then the thing that gets her is that she's lashed out and hurt someone else? Guilt is the kind of thing that can really fester of it isn't let out.
Dehya shrugs.] Hard to say what was usual about any of that, but--I don't think it would have happened if not for everything with taking the ring off. She didn't seem to struggle when teaching her class.
no subject
And yes, I agree with that much. She was quirky, sure, but outside the age on her profile and the oddity of her name, I didn't think much was different until today.
...
[Although...]
She did ask Sika for assistance with something before the ring was removed. In the chaos of it all, I didn't pay it much attention, but... Maybe it was in regards to this disease of hers. A way to mute the danger of it.
no subject
She nods along. That makes sense, and she knows Louis approached Sika about the same issue.] What's odd about her name?
no subject
[Ah, but as far as Don's name goes? He relaxes a little, waving his hand non-committally.]
Ah, just that she shares the name of a famous character from fiction. It's not the first here I've met like that, either. But I'm fine with leaving that as pure coincidence for now - I don't think it has anything to do with the situation at hand, nor will it contribute to a solution.
no subject
Speaking of the situation... you think this god is really the same one you know? Is anything about this place familiar?
no subject
At the topic change to Father, he lowers his cup back to the table, thinking. One of the rings against his fingers, one that does not bear the rose, traces idly against the ceramic.]
The chapel is in a style I recognize. And I think the similarities of this Father's demands are striking. But no, I would not say they're the same.
The Father that I know of is stubborn and vengeful, yes. He can be unforgiving and harsh and judgemental. There are plenty of stories of times of blood sacrifice of animals to forgive for sins.
I do not care for Him. But I've never known records of Him to go to this sort of length. Never has he pit living things against one another just to prove they deserve special attention.
no subject
... Well, not on their own merit anyway.]
no subject
But that's not really my realm of expertise.
no subject
no subject
[Hard to tell if he's joking, tbh.]
He likes to send his communications indirectly more often than not. Those, I'm familiar with. But not the Father.
no subject
Guess we can't expect much help there. [And she probably can't get in touch with Nahida either.] But as long as we don't give up I believe we'll figure something out.
no subject
no subject
no subject
[Huh! No wonder she seems so well-rounded.]
Color me surprised. Is it commonly practiced?
no subject
[But after the first night she kept it on hand again, so she holds up the bauble for Solomon to see.]
no subject
Interesting...
Magic comes in all sorts, even where I'm from. But I wouldn't say people are very accommodating to it. More often than not, it's just treated as a parlor trick, or something out of a fairy tale.
Is it a power you're only able to use when this item is on your person?
no subject
no subject
That's correct. I practice sorcery, and not a drop of it is answering to me right now. [His shoulders slump a little, completely unserious.]
Inconvenient, but it's not the first time I've been without my magic. We'll just need to adapt as best we can.
no subject
Right. [She always knew relying purely on something like her Vision was bad form, so she's not too worried if she needs to fight. Especially if everyone else is in the same state.
Though--] Thing those of us that can fight despite that should be prepared for things like... what happened yesterday. She stopped herself but if not, someone needs to be ready to step in.
no subject
I take it you're used to fighting, then. A soldier, maybe, or something more private?
no subject
And breaking up fights that don't need to happen. [That's a warning to everyone. This is why toxic yaoi vortex has to get it all out in pcs only.]
no subject
Though I hope that's not a responsibility you have to shoulder on your own. We have enough hanging over our heads as it is.
WEEK TWO - SUNDAY, POST EXECUTION
The basket he's kept on his person this week is now empty - it looks like it's unfortunately been reset now that the weekend's events are over, and someone has had to start from scratch on regathering everything he needs.
He'll turn if he hears that he has company, offering a tired smile and straightening up with a pained look in his eyes.]
Dehya. What brings you here?
no subject
Her smile is equally thin and brief.] Just picking up some stuff for embroidery. Thought I'd work on it at my dorm.
no subject
For fun, or do you have something specific in mind?
no subject
[That's not breaking shit, anyway. And it's important they don't lose their memories of people here, so that they can come back.] What about you?
no subject
It wasn't entirely popular, so I've had to adapt it a little. But I still think it's important.
...
Was your embroidery what was found with Annette?
no subject
Though then Solomon moves onto that question. Dehya nods slowly.] Yeah... looks she was holding onto all the things she got for the task.
[Hers, Don's... whoever was passing out papers with ink splotches.]
no subject
She was a very lonely girl. [Quiet.] I'm sure it meant a great deal to her, to be trusted with something special.
no subject
no subject
The most we can do now is to remember her for who she was, what she meant to those around her, so that we might bring her back.
no subject
[This place has robbed her freedom, and given nothing not pain in return. She wants to turn the whole thing upside down.]
no subject
[It's an even timber against her rise of (understandable) temper.]
If she returns like the rest, she is going to need someone there to give her courage when she might not have any. To remember her will be the best we can do, Dehya.
We may have very little control, but it's all the more reason to cling very hard to what is still ours, even if it's simpler than we'd like.
no subject
no subject
It would be easier if it were tangible. If it worked the way we expected.
It's hard not to feel like we're failing them all by not pushing outwardly with everything we have.
Perhaps that's how Father or Sika want it. For us to feel despair in this.
no subject
[She assumes that's what he's trying to do.] We're not going to give into that despair. If we do, we really never will get out. What I am is angry.