eswareinmal | Chapter One 19th of Rebirth Height

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Chapter One 19th of Rebirth Height

[ There’s the shuffling of papers and the opening and closing of books on his end of the transmission. Through the video there’s nothing but a desk with a heaping pile of books scattered about on it but the background is clearly defined as being a library. The voice that comes over the feed is one with a slight Romanian accent but otherwise nothing too strange or particular about it. ] There's so many books to go through. I think I'll be here for several days just reading! I do realize that there’s a lot of different worlds out there...I just never thought I'd make it to one that's so very...fantastical! It's almost like I'm in the book Sleeping Beauty or, or Jack and Beanstalk, Snow White too perhaps...

[ He sounds way too excited about this guys, but that's Helios for you. A pause as he hums and a figure walks by the feed. Helios will stop then and bend down to look into the orb a smile dotting his face as he does so. He also might be wearing a wizard hat that was provided for him. He's a derp, we know, so of course he has to try on the local garments! He's never worn a wizard hat before either! Perhaps when he gets back home he'll have to give it shot, huh? He takes it off and fiddles with it before putting it back on. Nothing strange about it or the robes he was given, which he hasn't put on yet thankfully. Yet being the keyword there. He'll clear his throat before continuing. ]

Now if that man was correct I assume there's a good deal more of you out there. I-I'd like to introduce myself! Helios Sprensonne it's a please to meet you! I-I'm sure we'll, um, have lots of things to discuss about this place. It's almost like Luceti in a way...a universal hub, hm. This place is definitely the same in that regards. We were all brought here through a means of a book, correct? A rather interesting choice it certainly adds that fairytale flavor to it, doesn’t it? [ A smile and chuckle on his end. ] But I do want to ask, if it's not too much trouble...

[ And here he’ll sit down at the desk with a smile. ] Ah. Where would the best place be to g-get an alternate room? I-I don't mind living in a castle, having one b-back home, but ah...I do think I might overstay my w-welcome in a few days. [ He also doesn't want to be a bother. ]

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Yes the book. It's a matter of how it made it through the barrier and into the enclosure in the first place that makes me wonder...

[ It's very interesting. At that statement Helios will adjust his wizard hat before taking it off to fiddle with it smirking a little. ] Yes we, um, s-seem to be well liked m-marginally at least.

[ He'll look over at the other curiously. ] Did you get anything upon arrival? I would imagine it to indicative of our s-supposed parts but...

[He has to hold back a laugh at the sight of that hat, that floppy, silly, costume style hat. Oh, Helios. You would enjoy wearing something that ridiculous looking, wouldn't you?

At the question, though, Giles' expression falters again. He holds up his hands to show that they're empty, and shakes his head.] Not a thing. [Not even new clothes. What would be the point?] I, um, I did get to keep a few things from the village, of course. Just...things I had on me. Ginia's knife. The, the compass. The watch. But, um, no, I don't have anything from here.

[And he has to tell you why, Helios, but Giles keeps on hesitating. Because how the hell do you explain something like this?]

[ Hey he never gets to wear one back at home! Ra would probably flamethrow it to ashes if he did...

Helios watches the other carefully, noting the expression and slight change in demeanor. He frowns then looking a bit confused because that was rather strange. He smiles at that. The watch. That was relief to hear seeing how important it was to the other. He's glad that at least came along. But at the mention of Ginia Helios frowns again. ]

G-Ginia. She, she isn't here with you, is she? [ It was always possible at least and he had to ask. ] They let me keep my spell compendium and, and the mirage ring. [ A small sigh as he rubs the back of his neck. ] I wish Luminair c-could have came with me. I feel dreadful knowing he's b-back in Luceti.

[ He's not alone though but a wave of guilt hits him just thinking that. Everyone left behind...gods he feels terrible about it. ]

No, she isn't. Or, um, if she is, she...hasn't used the orb, and I haven't seen her.

You're the first one from Luceti I've recognized. Um, still. [Evidently trying to hold out hope, here.] Only the first day. I suppose someone else from the village might be brought over.

[Luminair? Not a name Giles recognizes. Maybe it's a new housemate. That would only be sensible, given how long he's supposed to have been gone...]

Helios?

There's, um, th-there's something else you should know.

O-Oh. I-I see. Maybe, maybe others might sh-show up. [ And here he gives a hopefully smile. There was always that chance at any rate.

Helios' thoughts will turn back to Giles. He gives the other man a concerned look because Giles' tone and actions thus far have been making him increasingly worried... ]

Wh-what, what is it?

[For a second, as he looks back at Helios, Giles looks so utterly sad and lost. Then he turns away, and stares up at the castle walls pensively.]

...this.

[And Giles walks forward, phasing right through the wall and reforming himself on the other side with a shiver. It's less unnerving when he phases through something. But not by very much.

...he'll give Helios a second to deal with that before reappearing again.]

[ Helios watches. His expression going from curious to horrified in the span of a few seconds. Oh dear lord. What. What sort of cruel joke was this? Now he understood. He understood Giles' unwillingness to talk and the sad tone in his voice. He feels horrible having pushed the other into telling him.

This can't be it. There has to be another way. There has to be a way to fix him, to fix Giles. He just...he just needed to find it. The library might have something, he knows it should. His jaw clenches a little as he looks at Giles with pity and apology. ] Giles...I-I'm so sorry.

[ Gods. Sorry. What was that even going to do, besides nothing? He has so many different spells and different knowledge on such things and yet this...he doesn't know how to fix this. Whatever it is. ] This...this isn't fair. Why. Why you? [ Why anyone? What would be the point of making someone a ghost like this? Helios bites his lip looking away. All his magic and yet he...he can't do anything to help this and it shows in his posture and guilt ridden features. ]

Because, Helios, in case you've forgotten, I've died back in my own world.

[The words are harsh, biting, edged with a despair and hopelessness that has been creeping up on Giles all day so far. His expression is one of utter, utter self loathing and disgust with himself as he stares fixedly at the ground. He might seem like he's standing on it, of course, but that's just a memory. Old habit. Something he'll soon forget, given time.]

Don't be. You, you had to know. You certainly would have found out. [Especially given how much work Giles had put forth in the past trying to get Helios past his phobia of touching people.]

...I suppose they just, um, couldn't decide on a role f-for me. Whatever decides on that sort of thing, of course. It's, i-it's fine. Could certainly be worse.

[No. No, it couldn't. But Giles is just going to keep on telling himself that.]

[ Harsh words that get Helios to flinch and cringe slightly as Giles says them. Of course he remembered. It was the main reason why when Giles had left it had left so many people in utter despair and pain. It's the other man's tone that gets to him really. ] There, there has to be way Giles. There has t-to be a way to, to fix this.

[ Helios hates how he sounds equally despaired. He doesn't like this, not one bit, especially with how it's affecting Giles. Heck it would affect anyone in such a way. He'll step forward again closer to the other. ] I'm g-going to help you. There...there's always a way. I-I just need time to, to think on how to do it...

[ He's never tried to bring someone back to life. No. He has but he knew that there was nothing left of her to bring back. No soul, no nothing. This was different and it was very dark magic. Magic he knows that could kill him if done improperly. But Giles... ] S-Someone might know a way...

[ And before he can even think about what he's saying a thought crosses his mind. It's a stupid thought and yet he thinks nothing of it, just a fleeting, passing thought as he tries to make sense of all this. ] You can u-use me as a v-vessel in, in the meantime...

[ His hand goes over his mouth after he says that. But, no, it was something he had been thinking and it's certainly an alternative that can be used. He'll put his hand down then and look at Giles. ]

[Giles snaps his head up to stare at Helios, more than a little aghast and clearly not entirely believing what he's just heard.

Use Helios as a vessel? Use Helios as a vessel?

...he did just get permission. But, even so, Giles vehemently shakes his head.] S-Stop talking nonsense, Helios, for god's sake. I, I don't even know if I can possess anyone, like this. Besides, even if I could, what, what good would it do either of us?

[A great deal of good for Giles' sanity and mental health, but he shoves that thought aside. And he forces himself with a visible effort to calm down.]

Before you go about attempting to violate the laws of nature, Helios, we, we should at least find you a place to stay. A-And something to eat.

[And, for a moment, Helios might feel a curious sensation, like someone stepping in behind him, like a second shadow coming to rest over the top of his own, like someone looking over his shoulder. Not an uncomfortable or invasive presence. Just an evident one, as Giles attaches himself to the other man like he found himself accidentally attached, for a while, to Sif.]

...all the same...th-thank you, Helios.

It-it's not nonsense Giles. [ Helios will frown evidently trying to hold back a flinch at the other's tone. ] You h-haven't tried to do it yet s-so you might be able t-to.

[ Helios looks away. He knows it'll be good for the other, knows that it could help with his evident despair and hopelessness and that's why he's willing to do this. And even if there wasn't any despair of those sorts of feelings Helios would be willing to do this anyway. It's not right to have this happen to the other and Helios just wants to help fix it. ] I. I won't mind...and y-you, you would- [ do the same for him. And he wants to help in anyway possible.

But at the mentioning of food Helios' stomach growls. There's a small, sad, smile on his face which turns to an expression of surprise as he feels that odd sensation and presence. It might make him shiver inwardly and he bites back a cringe. He's been in the company of ghosts before even a good few live and attend the academy. The sensation is familiar though. And he remembers what it's like to be touched by the phantoms, something he hasn't felt in awhile but muscle memory serves him well to remember such things. ] There's no reason to, to thank me. S-So you shouldn't. [ Said with a tone of finality. No if ands or buts bro. Not this time. For the sake of changing the topic Helios will...do just that. Yes. Topic changing and deflecting, no matter what world, they're both still experts at that. ]

Do, do you know of any good places to stay? I-I wouldn't mind the castle, it's a bit of a reminder of home away from home, but I'm not sure if it's in good taste to really stay.

[He would do the same for Helios. In a heartbeat. Hell, Giles would insist on it, if only because it would make it easier to keep an eye on the other. He would want to help Helios in any way possible.

...hypocrisy, thy name is Rupert Giles. And he has the decency to feel a bit ashamed at it, albeit just a bit. It doesn't take a genius, let alone a best friend, to figure out the words unsaid at the end of that sentence.]

Yes, there is. So I will.

But, um, just the once. I'll just resist my baser impulses and, um, leave it at just the once. If you really insist. [A tone of theatrical, slightly teasing surrender is in those soft words. He's not a vengeful bundle of emotions just yet. He's still Giles, after all, and he does have a sense of humor, no matter what the rest of the world might believe.

But. All ghostly matters should wait until Helios is fed, and has a roof over his head. This is the stalling tactic he silently decides on. Giles hasn't been in town long, but enough to know that people seem to sincerely fear the dark, here. For now, yes. Time to change the subject while they both get their thoughts in order.]

I did speak with a girl that's, um, been staying in the castle for the last few days, at least. As I was walking back this afternoon, I, I also noticed a few homesteads that looked as though they might have room. A couple of places that looked like inns that would probably have the decency not to charge you, o-or at least not charge you much. If, um, if you don't mind the walk, I think I can find my way back to those places, at least.

Unfortunately, um, I did only just get here today, myself.

I do insist. [ Because bro you look so very dreadful and Helios feels absolutely terrible about this whole state of affairs. Still he gives a small sigh, shaking his head as he starts off in...some direction. He'll be looking around all the while listening to Giles as he speaks. ]

Mm walking is quite alright with me. Helps me stay active. You know how it gets when you get old. [ Just a laugh from him. ] I-I wouldn't mind paying, either. I...feel dreadful just staying in some one's home or-or inn without paying though.

[ It would make him a bit awkward to do so. But with everything being free to him for the past two years he's wondering as to how to make money. ] I wouldn't even know where to start to make money. I-I assume people here would be open to, to the idea of us working...

[ He's not exactly sure though. ]

[They will not be starting off in some direction. Giles will be leading the way to the Drunk Duck Inn as well as he can without actually telling Helios that that is the destination.]

Yes, I certainly do. [He knows how it is way better than you do, Mr. Not-Yet-Forty. Talk to Giles when there isn't a fifteen year age gap between the two of you.]

Our work, a-at least from what I gathered from the others like us and, um, the men in the castle, is to get to work stopping these mysterious thorns. If they can't even provide lodgings for that, um, th-then that's their own fault.

[Still. Giles is in much the same fix as Helios, and despite himself is a bit grateful to realize that money is one thing he won't have to worry about. Luceti has left him out of practice.]

Of course, without the power cap weighing you down, I imagine a few mundane, day-to-day jobs would, um, hardly be beyond you.

[ And Helios will follow then. That is a very amusing name for an inn but Helios says nothing on the matter as he feels himself pulled in that direction. Helios might laugh a little. ] I apologize Giles. I didn't mean to poke fun.

[ Just a smirk. Helios blinks. ] Thorns? I-I see. The man I spoke to never mentioned those...but, ah, I-I suppose they're a threat then to everyone here. [ Hum. Helios will frown, thinking then, before absentmindedly nodding. ]

Without a powercap I-I should be alright I think. Th-though I'm sure there's people here who are far more powerful than I. But I can probably find something it, it helps that people here aren't adverse to magic at least. [ That makes things quite easy, yes. ]

So I've heard from the others. They're, um, a couple of days out from this place, and advancing. Nothing seems to stop them. Of course, not having been out that far myself, I'm, I'm only telling you what I've heard. I suppose we'll have to make a trip out there ourselves soon enough.

[Giles pauses at an intersection, staring around in an attempt to get his bearings. Now that he's attached himself to Helios, Giles has let himself fade out of everyone else's visibility. Helios might notice that no one is paying him the slightest bit of attention, and a few people walk through the edge of his ghostly shape.]

You're a wizard, apparently. I, um, I would think they'd be offended if you didn't throw a bit of magic around. Um, should be a nice enough change of pace, at least, a-after Luceti.

Oh, dear, that's a bit ominous... [ Another frown as Helios notices that people are paying Giles no attention, he looks around as well curiously and warily. ] No way to stop them...a-and we're the ones who are meant to do so, aren't we? [ A small sigh as he shakes his head. ]

If y-you're not opposed to the idea I wouldn't mind going to see them for myself. M-Maybe we can even take a piece back with us to-to fiddle with. [ Fiddle meaning use all sorts of spells and magic to try to find how to get rid of them. ] Though I'm sure someone might have tried that already.

[ Just a laugh. ] A change of pace is right. I-I've never been outed as being magically inclined so very...openly before.

[ At that he shifts. Even after Luceti where magic was accepted it's still a bit jarring to have it done to you quite this way. ] They certainly won't have to worry about-about me throwing around a bit of magic. [ Giles of all people should know that though. These poor, poor townspeople. They don't know what they're getting into. ]

And we're the ones meant to do so, yes. they couldn't manage it so, um, they...outsourced the job.

[Giles waits for a break in the crowds before leading Helios onwards.] I'm certainly not opposed to the idea. Um, a few of the people I've spoken with thus far admitted that they, um, hadn't made it out as far as the thorns, either. I'm sure between the two of us, we, um, we could probably bring back s-something new.

[Giles pauses at the corner as they make their way down the street to look left, then right, and then back at Helios with a wry smile.] "Outed"? Do, um, do magicians really have that much difficulty, back in your world?

Outsourced indeed. Pulling people from other worlds just to do it. [ Sounding like the Malnosso more and more. Helios will shake his head frowning a little as he moves onward with Giles. ] A rather big threat then. I-I will certainly try to help and, and I think this might yield something but, ah, you said no one has ever even made it that far?

[ Helios...is not the best with directions Giles. He might end up lost in the farmlands or something. But who knows. With the other there he might not. He frowns and then smiles back with a shrug. ] W-well the, ah, C-Council makes it r-rather hard to, to make such things public. There's also the...the fear of another Witch Trial occurring.

[ And here he'll hunch a little looking around warily. Speaking of which...witch trials in this era were not unheard of. ] I-I suppose people here are a bit more open-minded though.

Oh, um, a few people have. Out as far as the thorns, I mean. As far as beating them back goes? Um, n-no, not that I've heard. Really, um, according to one woman I spoke with, examining the thorns is, um, proving to be slightly problematic by virtue of the fact that they seem remarkably resilient to damage.

[Consider Giles your own personal guide, Helios. Hell, he's already just feeling a bit more himself being attached to the other. And he's' gotten a good look at the surroundings thus far, albeit a good bit of them from being dragged along by a rampaging goddess.]

There's, um, a cursed peddler about selling all manner of troublesome things. Really, Helios, I think the locals would, would certainly make a go at him before you, even if they did take it into their heads to start stoning people in the streets.

...we, w-we should probably go investigating him soon, as well. The objects he sells are, um, apparently powerful enough to affect a major deity.

Really? [ His tone is curious, intrigued, he really shouldn't be but he is because he can't help himself. Helios smiles a little. ] I suppose we'll have to go see them most definitely now. I-I wonder what they're made of...

[ Helios is totally fine with Giles being his guide. Lead the way bro Helios will be following along! ]

Ah. C-Cursed items it is? That...that does sound a bit troublesome. I've dealt with some objects like that. Or, actually, sat in on demonstrations on removing such things. It's a bit tricky, really, because the curse can rebound onto the person who's casting the spell. [ And here Helios' eyes widen a little. ]

They can affect deities? [ That is some seriously powerful black magic there. It makes Helios looks a bit uncomfortable too. ]

Deities, yes. Sif of the Aesir, to, um, to be precise. [What? Didn't he mention that bit?

A bit more cautiously, and with a genuinely nervous glance about them:]

Um...Loki appears to be here as well, so, um, keep an eye out. As much as you can keep an eye out, for, um, for someone like Loki.

[Ah, there it is! Giles nods in satisfaction as the sign comes into view over the head of the mob. He points to the sign, but doesn't say anything more, apparently again out of the nameless anxiety that Loki summons up.]

[ Helios' eyes widen and fill with an almost child-like glee as a smile manages to stretch across his face. ] You're serious? Sif. Sif of the Poetic Edda, goddess of Earth? That one? Ha! That's fantastic.

[ Helios looks around when Giles does as well. ] Loki too? Ah it's been awhile since I've spoken to him...

[ Unfortunately Helios doesn't know that this Loki looks very much like a certain elder sibling. Still Helios will continue along nodding silently as if understand Giles' abrupt silence. He can understand the trepidation such a god would conjure up and Helios himself has so reservations as well. But after a few moments he'll finally speak again. ] It's very quaint.

Sif, wife of Thor, of the Poetic and Prose Edda, yes. I, um, hadn't actually seen her do anything particularly deific, but...[A half shrug, and Giles finishes, a bit lamely, with:] ...she, um, certainly h-had the bearing of one.

[Loki's esteem of Giles is going to plummet even further in a few hours, but that's in a few hours! For now, Giles is more than happy to stare up at the Drunk Duck Inn by Helios' side.]

Also rather noisy. At least in the common area. I, um, I think the ring will probably be quite helpful to you here, i-if you do stay.

Still. They, um, might still have rooms available.

Sometimes it's just...the air you carry about you. I wouldn't doubt her abilities. Though depending on the world she comes from they might be different... [ There's really no telling when it comes to places like this, where anyone from anywhere can be brought in.

Helios blinks looking down at his pocket. Hm. The ring would definitely work here if only for a short period of time. ] Oh! Yes the ring. It doesn't last very long but I-I'm sure I can manage with the noise. Good thing about running a school with lots of students. Never too much noise.

[ Helios will just smile wryly. ] There's only one way to find out!

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...oh shit, I'd forgotten you'd picked Hiddleston to play Nero.

Yes and I threw him at Loki because I am horrible! :D