MASKTOURN

(yay!)

11:43 PM

Closer to the running creek laid a beautiful field of roses and fruit trees. Roses of every kind and color were blooming underneath the sun, while the trees bared the juiciest ripe fruit on its branches. Located further beyond the field, a medium sized home was built upon soft soil. It was a rather comfortable looking home, built with olden wood and with some of the faded white paint starting to chip. There was a roundabout patio, with a handful of chairs sitting about, almost randomly. It seemed like guests or family would often come over to chat outside here. 

Going inside, an open living space greeted guests. There was a space beside the door for jackets, shoes, and other items that may have needed to be hanged. Further in the living room, there was a small, old-timey tv and radio on top of a brick fireplace, with the radio playing a faint tune. If you listened closely, the music seemed off, a hum of static underlying the notes. Again in the living room, there were a slew of seating places put in seemingly random spots. There were two old and worn couches, many chairs of different sizes and varieties, and even some floor seats. They all surrounded a brown wooden coffee table, which had some cups and card games strewn about. In the center of the table was a hand crafted vase with some varied flowers resting inside.

Past the living space, there was a spacious kitchen and dining room, perfect for large families or parties. The dining room was a bit more interesting, as on the walls were several framed photographs. Some photos seemed miscellaneous, paintings or prints of general pretty scenery. However, there was one photo that seemed to center the rest: It was a family portrait, displaying quite a few individuals. The corners were beginning to fold and fade, but everyone's face was still distinguishable. Starting from the left, there was an older man with dark hair, but white colored bangs. He had deep bags under his eyes, but notably, he seemed to be standing a bit warily in the photo despite the faintest of smiles on his lips. Next to him was an older man wearing armor. He smiled brightly at the camera, his eyes twinkling as he was surrounded by his family. One of his hands was on top of the other man's shoulder while the other gently rested on the woman sitting next to him. The woman had green hair, which seemed to be quickly washed and readied for this photo. She seemed equally on edge as the dark haired man, but her smile seemed a bit more relaxed as she stood beside another woman. The woman next to her had darker, longer brown hair tied into a ponytail. Her smile was much more warm and genuine as she held the green-haired woman's hand.

- (edited)

11:43 PM

On the right side of the photo, a taller, older man with long black hair stood with a modest smile, his hand resting on top of a man sitting beside him. This man was clearly tense, more of a scowl on his face than a smile. Despite his cleaned up appearance, he seemed to lightly glare at the camera while attempting a neutral expression. There were two more men who stood around the long haired man, one with what seemed to be antlers and the other with a ponytail. They both smiled at the camera, the one with the ponytail smiling a bit more fondly. With such an extensive photo, a beautiful golden frame with floral decoration held it protectively, with a date too faded to read on the edge. 

Moving on from the dining room, there was a hallway with several doors. A couple of them were full bathrooms, but the rest appeared to be empty bedrooms, with only a small twin-sized bed and nightstand in each one. It seems whoever used to have these rooms have all gone and moved out. At the very end of the hall, however, was a master bedroom that still seemed to be occupied. A fully made king-sized bed was pushed against the back wall, right beside a double paneled window, which was left slightly ajar to let fresh air in. Beside the bed was a large wooden dresser, which when opened, only had a few clothes on the first couple of drawers. There was an adjacent room for another full bathroom, then another for what seemed to be an office space. In the office was a wooden desk, filled with small vases and flowers. There were some other photographs here, the subjects being of the same people from the dining room portrait, but also some others. There were a few photographs of what seemed to be another family, one mainly of women and one son. Then there were photos of just couples, some of the dark and white haired man with another with longer hair wearing lots of jewelry, then the green-haired woman with the longer dark-haired one again, and of just the man in armor and the long-haired man. It seemed like whoever was living here, adored their family very much. Besides the photos and flowers however, there wasn’t much else in the office, despite there being plenty of space for other things. In fact, besides the shared living spaces, everything else seemed rather empty.

It seemed like this house was once full of life, yet stood alone, still in the breeze, housing a single, lonely soul.

(edited)

1

2

1

1

1

knock knock knock The now-familiar voice of a young man sounded from outside Persis's door. "Mr. Lancaster? Are you home?" Sieandes called. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

There was silence from inside the door, but a faint voice called from behind Sieandes. "Young Sieandes? Is that you? Hold on, I am coming," came Persis' loud, but warm voice from the field. He was carrying a large batch of roses under his arm, all of varying colors and sizes. He smiled as he finally made it to the porch and he settled the roses down onto a nearby bench. "Good morning, young Sieandes! If I knew you were coming over, I would of made some fresh tea for you! Did your mother send you over for something, or am I getting the flattery of you simply wanting my company?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Actually, I'm here to make a delivery! Ma made some extra apricot jam, and she wanted to see if you'd like some!" Sieandes offered forth the jar of homemade jam he'd brought with him. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' eyes widened with joy and he nodded. "Lady Shairoun's jam? It would be criminal to decline that," he chuckled as he gently took the jar from Sieandes. "Would you like to join me for some tea and snacks? I have the perfect set of cookies to go with your mother's jam," Persis offered. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Of course! Can't deny such a polite invitation!" Sieandes laughed. "I can't stay too long, I have to go back to the farm at some point, but I can stop by for a bit!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis chuckled along with Sieandes as he invited the young man inside. Persis' house was clean and tidy like always, and he kicked off his shoes to the side. "I am certain your parents will not be too bothered if you stay. You can take a batch of cookies home in return so your siblings can enjoy some with the jam too," he suggested and set the jar of jam on the table. "Would you like hibiscus tea or lavender tea today, young Sieandes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sieandes took off his admittedly pretty dirty shoes upon entering the house, and followed Persis down the hall. "Still, I don't want to leave my brothers with all the work while I'm off drinking tea." He chuckled. "Oh, that sounds great! They'll appreciate it." He thought about the tea question for a moment. "Hm. I think I'll take the lavender today, thank you!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"And that is why you will bring the cookies with you. As a peace offering for being gone," Persis joked, chuckling as he took out the resting cookies from the oven and started boiling water for the tea. "Lovely choice, young Sieandes. Would you like honey or sugar cubes?" He asked and pulled out a jar of both and set it onto the dinging table. "Feel free to help yourself like usual. Tell your siblings to come join us for tea sometime too. I miss seeing the little ones." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sieandes sat down at the table and waited for Persis. "I'll bring them over again soon! Miekal really likes it over here, so I'm sure he'd love to come over again." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis collected the warm cookies in a plate and set it down in front of Sieandes. "They are butterscotch cookies. I thought they would taste better than the cinnamon ones I made last time," he commented. "I would love to talk to young Miekal, yes. Has he perfected his handstand yet?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, that does sound good! Especially with the jam," He hummed, and marveled over the cookies, but waited for them to cool before taking one. He laughed. "He's close! Almost there. I keep telling him to practice. I think he can hold it for... ten seconds now?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I have been practicing my baking skills, but I do not think I will ever come close to your mother's. I hope you young ones will enjoy my cookies, none the less," he smiled as he got two mugs and the tea bags ready. "Ah, ten seconds now? That is quite impressive! A little more practice, and he will surpass me in no time," Persis chuckled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You should ask her for some of her recipes some day! I'm sure she'd be happy to share them." Sieandes smiled. Truthfully, Sineclaer Shairoun had always been kind to Persis, even if she still regarded him as a stranger. "Yeah! It's almost double what he was at a week ago!" Sieandes laughed. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Ah, I have been meaning to.. but I feel as though Lady and Sir Shairoun still are a bit awkward with my presence," Persis replied with a small, sad smile. "I understand, as it is a bit difficult to have relationships with others when you are so busy, but it does get a bit lonely out here. I am sure even your parents feel that way sometimes." He set the tea down in front of Siendes and mixed in some honey in his own cup. "He is making fine progress. When we meet next, he is sure to be even better. I have to make sure I practice my own," Persis lightly chuckled. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sieandes's bright smile faltered for just a moment. "Yeah... they can be a bit... hesitant around outsiders. But I'm sure they'll come around eventually!" "Thank you!" Sieandes said as Persis gave him the tea, and began mixing in two sugar cubes. "He'll be excited to show you. He's already been showing me every chance he gets. And Harlen will be happy to come around here again, I think he likes it here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis took no offense to that, in fact, he understood well where Sieandes' parents came from. "I hope so. You and your siblings make the loneliness much more bearable, at the very least. My own children do not come to visit very much, so it is nice," he commented with a small smile. Persis sipped his tea once the honey was well stirred in and sighed comfortably. "You all are welcomed any time, young Sieandes. I find all of your presences quite enjoyable." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Aw, thank you!" Sieandes smiled, and took a sip of his tea. "I hope your family comes to visit sometime, I'd love to meet them." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile widened a bit and his gaze traveled to the family photo on his wall. "I do too... I miss them. A lot. I think you would get along with a few of my sons," he mused. "Though, they are a bit older than you and your siblings are. I believe my daughter may be the closest in your age, but even then, she is still much older." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sieandes followed Persis's gaze over to the family photo. "Can you tell me again what they're like?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis settled his cup down onto the table and stepped over to the photo frame. Gently picking up the photo, he brought it back over towards Sieandes. There was a fond, warm smile on Persis' lips as he looked over the picture. "On paper, I have four children. My oldest is young Enzo... Then there is young Kallum, young Daxton, and young Madelyn." As Persis spoke, he pointed to each face in the frame. "But I consider a numerous amount of youngsters as my children in a way... even if they do not consider me their own father." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Ohhh..." Sieandes looked over each person as Persis pointed them out. They all looked pretty cool to him! He noticed that Persis hadn't named one of the people in the photo, though. Someone that looked... so familiar to him, in a way he couldn't place. He pointed to the young woman right next to Madelyn. "Who's that?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis blinked as Sieandes pointed to the woman—A stranger he, himself, didn't recognize. His brows scrunched as he looked over her. "Oh.. hm.. I am.. not sure who this is," he answered honestly. It was like the person wasn't visible to Persis until Sieandes had pointed her out. "Must be someone my daughter knew when she was younger.. or something like that," he shrugged. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Huh." It didn't make much sense to Sieandes, how someone could be in a family photo yet so forgotten. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense. Your family all sounds very nice." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The unsure look on Persis' face faded as his attention turned back to everyone else in the photo. "I love them all very much. Again, I think you would of liked them.. well, most of them. My children have a bit of a reputation of being.. a little difficult to get along with, but they are all good kids," he smiled. "I think you would get along with young Daxton the most. He is the most sociable of them all," Persis said as he pointed to the young man with the deer antlers. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Aw- well, I have a reputation of being easy to get along with, so maybe it'll balance out!" Sieandes laughed. He looked to Daxton. "He looks nice! I'd love to meet him someday." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis couldn't help but chuckle. "I agree. My children could use a few more friends like yourself, young Sieandes. I hope you will enjoy their presence as much as I do whenever they do come to visit me," he smiled warmly. "Young Daxton is quite studios and knowledgeable. I am sure he would love to meet you as well. It has... been some time since I have seen some of them." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Aw, thank you!!" Sieandes smiled proudly. "I really hope they come to visit soon. It'd be nice to meet them, when I've heard so much about them..." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' fond smile grew as he looked over the photo frame, his eyes full of warmth and love. He pressed a gentle kiss to the photo, specifically over the long dark-haired man. "I do too... I yearn to be with them again soon. I feel as though I have not seen them in a lifetime," Persis sadly chuckled as he settled the photo back onto the wall. There was a forlorn look on his face, almost a sense of hurt, before he forced another small smile on his lips. "Have you tried the cookies yet, young Sieandes? They are best eaten while warm." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sieandes didn't comment, and let Persis have his private, sentimental moment. "Oh, right!" He laughed, and took a few warm cookies onto his plate, deciding to eat one with jam and the other plain, so he could taste them both ways. "These are very good, Mr. Lancaster! You've outdone yourself again!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He joined Sieandes at the table again, smiling bright as the boy complimented his cookies. "Awh, you flatter me, young Sieandes. I am happy to hear you enjoy them," Persis chuckled as he ate a cookie with the jam. "Mm! Your mother's jam is as spectacular as always. I really must give her my props when I see her again. Speaking of which, how are your parents doing, young Sieandes?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's only the truth!" Sieandes replied once his mouth wasn't full of cookie. "I'll make sure to tell her you liked it. They're doing... alright. Papa's worried about pests in the squash fields, but otherwise things are pretty normal." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed, chewing on his cookie before swallowing. "I am glad to hear they are doing okay. This time of the year, the bugs are quite active, so I understand the concern. They have gotten to the west side of my flower fields too," he replied. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh- that's awful. Maybe you two can work together to deal with them?" Sieandes suggested, ever-hopeful Persis and his father might get along. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hmm, perhaps. That is not a bad idea," Persis nodded, a small smile forming on his lips. "I can make some time to visit later today, if you think your family would not mind my intrusion. I know your family's crops are a key source of stress for your father, so it would be best to tackle the problem together as soon as possible." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"When I get back, I'll tell him you're interested in working together." Sieandes suggested. "You can definitely come over later! I'll have to tell my Ma, though, she won't want to have surprise guests." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile widened. "That would be lovely, thank you, young Sieandes. I can even bring a new set of flowers for everyone if I drop by. Remind me again what your family likes? I want to make sure I bring something for everyone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I know Ma likes daffodils, she'll appreciate having some more! And I think Harlen still likes roses. Papa likes tulips, I think, if you have any." Sieandes listed off. "Pietre likes peonies, and Miekal likes clover flowers! Even though Ma keeps telling him they're technically weeds." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis took mental notes, smiling as each was listed. "I am sure I have all of those in stock somewhere, especially the roses," he chuckled. "I'll make sure to make a nice bundle for everyone. What about yourself, young Sieandes? I cannot recall if you had a flower you were fond of." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Oh, I like morning glories!" Sieandes smiled. "But you don't have to get any for me." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Oh, no. I insist. You are part of the family too, young Sieandes. I got to make sure everyone has a little something," Persis beamed. "It is not a problem at all, if that is what you are thinking. I have plenty of floral to spare. You know that." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Aw, thank you!" Sieandes smiled. He looked over the table- by now, they'd both finished up their tea and cookies. "Well, I don't want'ta waste any more of your time, I should probably get back home, soon." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis smiled, a hint of disappointment in his expression. He always seemed a bit sadden when any of the children had to go back home. "Ah, yes. Better not to keep your family waiting for too long. I will bring the flowers and cookies when I come over later. Here, let me get you the door," Persis said as he stood and sauntered towards the entrance of the house. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Sieandes cleaned up his dishes as best he could, and rose to the door with Persis. "Thank you! I'll see you later!" He reminded the older man. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

His smile widened and he nodded. "Mhm. I shall see you then. Be safe, young Sieandes," Persis replied with a wave as the young boy headed off. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"You too! See you soon!" Sieandes waved, and rushed back home. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

(Moving us here for convenience lol. If you wanna see the description of Persis' house, read the pins) Persis helped Aarni walk along the old beaten path. They passed by the running creek and many fields of flowers. Though, in the dimly lit nature, many of them were closed and small. Soon, Persis lead Aarni to his home. He let the boy in and turned on the lights, revealing a little empty, but otherwise warm and welcoming home. "You can put your shoes to the side here, young Aarni. Come with me to the kitchen. I will brew us the tea," Persis faintly smiled as he lead Aarni inwards. "If you are cold, there are a few blankets in the closet right next to the couch. Make yourself at home like you usually do." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni really felt like he had stepped into a magical afterlife, straight from a story book. Though the sun was out, the scent of all the roses and fruit was almost angelic. Inside the house, Aarni left his shoes near the door, and followed Persis into the kitchen. He hadn't talked anything on the way, and only shook his head at the mention of the blankets. He looked at everything inside with wistful eyes. It was so cozy here. He felt surreal, but in a heart-wrenching way he felt safe. Like he had escaped a dangerous situation, but had had to leave everyone behind, to deal with that danger, and now he would be unable to ever return to his old life. It was a heavy feeling. He paused in front of the family portrait, and stared at it silently, but closely. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis back was turned to Aarni as they entered the kitchen. He started boiling water in the kettle before grabbing a couple mugs and teabags. When he noticed Aarni staring down at the portrait, he smiled. "Ah.. you probably have not seen that photo before yet. It is still a bit further in the future that I convinced everyone to dress and take it," Persis said with a small chuckle. "How old are you right now, young Aarni? You look much younger clean shaven again. I quite miss us being beard twins," Persis lightly joked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni blinked, and slowly turned to look at Persis. "...I'm twenty years old now", he hummed, a small frown forming on his forehead. "How old are you?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hm, twenty, huh?" Persis repeated with a nod. "That means you only just agreed to move to Laputa recently... I am nearing my late fifties now, myself. It has been a long time," Persis said with a soft smile. "I am not quite sure what is going on.. but it seems like whatever happened to get you here, it was some sort of time interference. Can you tell me about yourself and what you are currently doing, young Aarni?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I did?" Aarni hummed. He stared at the man for a moment, before taking a breath and rubbing his face. "Well, everything was just normal.. I was riding, training, working at the stalls... everything was going well with you in Laputa as well. Then, this fiery fire creature appeared out of nowhere and snatched me into this other dimension. Albanes was there, as well as the first Lifebringer. She told me the Lifebringer was arranging a tournament. Leathal one. So we... were in that Lifebringer realm for a while, in some sort of ancient, ruined city, until my fight came." He gritted his teeth and looked at the floor sternly. "I.. my opponent was Kallum. We didn't actuually have to fight, we just kind of hit targets on horseback, but... yeah, I lost... And the Lifebringer killed me. And then I woke up here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis listened to Aarni intently, only turning away when he heard the kettle start to boil. Again, the mention of Albanes and the Lifebringer made Persis raise a brow, but he said nothing yet. Pouring in the water into their mugs, Persis offered one to Aarni. "Honey? I believe you preferred that over sugar in your tea, young Aarni," the farmer smiled as he slid both the mug and small bottle of honey over to Aarni. His smile faded as Aarni mentioned having Kallum as his opponent, and he quietly stirred some sugar cubes into his mug. "I see... That is quite the event you have been through, young Aarni. Though, as I said before, if you are here, there is no way you are dead. Myself and my family are still alive and well, though, everyone is still in Laputa. You said that young Kallum was your opponent? Was it the same young Kallum you knew? Or was it an older young Kallum? Like the one in the portrait here?" Persis asked as he gestured to the man in the photo. @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

Aarni thanked Persis and took the cup. He seemed confused and concerned when Persis told about his family in Laputa being alive. He didn't seem to know he was dead... "Neither", he shook his head, "it was Kallum from another timeline. The same age as we were during Chen's island, but he had never been there. Something else had happened to him. He was jumpy and scared, didn't knw me, and had a nasty bruise on his neck... I don't know what happened, but, yeah... He had no issues winning the match." Aarni sighed and swirled his tea gently in the mug. "Um, Persis... why are you here, and not in Laputa?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed, taking a sip of his tea and exhaling. "A completely different young Kallum then... Must be one that stayed with the Guardians," Persis said with a frown. Though, Aarni's question made Persis push up a small smile. "I am retired now, young Aarni. I know everyone thinks I would be a knight until I drop, but I have some years left I would like to live in peace," Persis chuckled. "I bought some land out here and settled down. Varian will be joining me here soon enough, and everyone else is too busy with their work to join me. So for now, it is just me out here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

(Sure persis)

Aarni nodded. "Why... did you come here? To Shairoun..." he paused, connecting some dots in his mind. "Shairoun is in Loucari, isn't it?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis raised a brow at Aarni. "Correct. It is a bits away from Laputa, but I thought it would be a good change for myself. I am surprised you know of this country and district, young Aarni. I chose this place specifically for its more distant atmosphere," he explained. "Retiring in Laputa would of worked fine as well, but.. something about this placed called to me. I simply let it be," Persis smiled. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni hummed, and looked at the family portrait. "...Shairoun is Albanes' last name", he mumbled, more to himself than to Persis. He had a concentrating frown on his face. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile slowly faded and he looked to Aarni with a puzzled expression. "You have been mentioning that name for a while, young Aarni.. Who is this 'Albanes'?" Persis asked. "You mentioned them being a Lifebringer as well..? I apologize, but I am not quite sure what that is.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shook his head, still frowning. "How don't you remember her? She was with us on Chen's island, she and Maddy started dating. She told me they even got married in the end. She's here, in this picture", Aarni pointed at the woman next to Maddy. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

His puzzled expression only grew more prominent as Aarni continued and Persis turned towards the portrait. "She married young Madelyn..? No, that cannot be right, I.." His gaze fell onto the person Aarni pointed to and suddenly, Persis dropped the mug he was holding. The mug bounced on the counter, spilling the tea onto the floor. Persis winced in pain as he rested his hand onto his head, and leaned onto the counter for support. "I-I.. No, I do not know who that is, young Aarni.." Persis said through a heavy breath. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni flinched, and stepped quickly to persis. He put his own mug on the counter, and took Persis by the shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked urgently. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis took in heavy breaths as Aarni helped steady him. "I-I apologize, young Aarni. I do not know what came over me just now.." He sighed. "H-Help me to the dining table, would you?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, it's better that you sit, I think..." Aarni took Persis' arm and supported him, guiding him to the dining table. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis stumbled into a seat with Aarni's help and took in another few breaths. "Thank you, young Aarni. Do not worry about the mess, I will clean it up later.." Persis said with a weak sigh. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni glanced over at the spilled tea and nodded. "You... reacted like Kenji when I told him about Amara... You remember Kenji, right? He was also on the island." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis slowly nodded. "Yes.. Vaguely. I never spoke to him, but you and everyone else who knew him told me about him," he replied. "Well.. whoever this 'Albanes' is, she must be close to you.. I apologize, but I simply do not recall who that is. I suppose my old age is catching up to me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shook his head. "No... Kenji, he's at the new tournament as well, but he said he came there on his own, to ask Albs for help. He has this... god of death inside him that possesses him sometimes, so I thought that's why he came for help, but he couldn't remember the reason. He couldn't remember Amara at all, and when I mentioned her, he reacted just like you did now. Pained. I thought Albanes was somehow suppressing Amara, and making Kenji forget about her was part of it, so I didn't mention it again, but..." he furrowed, looking at Persis with worry and confusion. The anxious, uncomfortable feeling he had about Kenji's amnesia situation came back, now stronger. "Albanes has made you forget about her. What I don't understand is why? And... if it's going to hurt you further to try and help you remember... I don't know if I should.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Persis quietly listened to Aarni once more, the confusion still present on his face despite the pain from earlier. There was another tingle in his hand and Persis adjusted the gauntlet on his arm. "Hm.. I see. I wish I could be of more help, young Aarni. I know you enough that you would not lie about any of this... but I simply cannot recall anything in regards to her," Persis said as he shook his head. "I would like to know what is going on... I am sure you would too. Perhaps you can ask some of the other villagers in the town. Maybe they would provide something? I am not sure though." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded gravely. He sat down as well and put his hands on the table, linking his fingers almost like into a prayer. He looked at his hands with a deep, concentrated furrow of his brows. Eventually he took a deep breath, and rubbed his face, leaning back a bit. "It's okay, Persis... I'm honestly just so happy you are here. I'm sorry I... had to come here and disturb your peace", he murmured. "I could go ask around, I guess.. I assume this place is really safe? I don't need to be on alert for any gangsters or monsters or anything?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis offered Aarni a weak smile and shook his head. "No need to apologize, young Aarni. I know the circumstances are.. odd," he managed a small laugh before sighing. "And, to be honest... I am happy to see you as well. I enjoy spending time with you, even if it is under such strange reasons. It feels like it has been a long time since we have seen each other," Persis said with an earnest smile. "This place is more than safe. The villagers are a close knit group, so they may be a little awkward since you are a stranger, but they are good people. It is a bit late, so you should stay the night until the morning. There are plenty of spare rooms for you to use here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"It does feel like that", Aarni sighed. "We last saw when I was in Laputa for Alb's heart surgery..." he smiled faintly at the memory. Though he had been a nervous wreck for her surgery, Laputa had been such a nice place, and it had been great to see his friends in a happy, healthy environment. "Okay, yeah, that sounds good", he nodded, and looked around. Regardless of Persis' stumble scare, the house still felt cozy, and it might do him some good to rest... although, if he was dead, what did resting really do? He drummed the table top with his fingers for a moment, and seemed to be deep in thought again. "Hmm... Persis, if the truth was really, really sad, and scary... would you still want to know what's going on?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed as he thought. "So you have seen me recently... I believe it has been a little over half a year for myself. Ever since you and young Kal-" Persis paused, as if catching himself. "Actually, disregard that last statement. The last I saw you was for a promotion, I am sure. I made sure to give everyone an appropriate title before I left my position as Knight Commander," Persis nodded. At Aarni's question, Persis gave him a sympathetic smile. He reached over and gently patted Aarni's shoulder. It was reassuring, warm. "The truth can allow you to see things you have never before, young Aarni. No matter how scary it is or nervous you may feel, everyone deserves the truth." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Me and... huh?" Aarni blinked. "Oh. Uh, thanks..." He hummed, and nodded a bit. "Well... I could tell you what I think this is, but regardless if I am right, there is going to be more people coming here soon. As long as the tournament is going, the losers are probably going to end up here, like me." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis slightly waved his hand, as if to dismissive the former half of their conversation. He didn't want to spoil anything else that would happen to Aarni in the future. "...You think you are dead," Persis said with a small frown. "Well, I am more than alive and well here. I am not sure what exactly the tournament you are currently in entails, but I can promise you we are both living here in this very moment. If more people are to come... well, we will have to figure things out then." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni just looked at Persis sadly and shook his gead slightly, before looking down at his hands again. He didn't know if he should break Persis' illusion of being alive or not. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis watched as Aarni looked down at his hands and he let out a soft sigh. Standing up, Persis wobbled a bit to where the tea was spilt and started cleaning it up. From the ground, he spoke once again. "How are things with you and Firefly? Are the competitions going well?" He asked, changing the topic to something lighter. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Firefly..." Aarni's heart winced. Probably more than anything, he would be missing his soul horse. "Good. We've been doing pretty well at the competitions. Dad would like us to do better, but at least he hasn't been mean about it anymore", he hummed. "Are there horses here?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis finished cleaning his spilled tea before replying. "I am glad to hear it, young Aarni. You two must be working quite hard," he smiled. "Unfortunately, I have no room for horses on my farm. I have to clear out some land for them. I heard that some of the neighbors here raise chickens and cows though," he hummed. "I wish to have a horse here as well. It would make traveling much easier.. and I quite miss raising my own animals." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm", Aarni nodded. "Okay." He looked up at Persis again. "That would be nice. Oh, yeah, I suppose Lionheart has already passed, huh.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis smiled sadly and nodded. "She has. She lived a good 28 years with us, however. She did well until the very end," Persis replied as he cleaned his mug in the sink. "Treasure your time with your loved ones when you get back to your time, young Aarni. It flies by faster than you think." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, it does... especially with animals", he sighed. He looked out from a window, but couldn't see anything. His heart was aching, but he didn't want Persis to see his eyes getting teary again. He cleared his throat. "What do you do around here? On your farm." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis turned back to Aarni and gently patted his back once more. There wasn't any reason why he did that. He just wanted to give Aarni some physical reassurance. "I grow flowers and fruit trees. I noticed there were not many of those that grew any in the village, so I thought I would take it upon myself to. Everyone else focuses more on their cattle and vegetables. I never thought I would be a farmer... but I suppose my fondness for nature led me to it." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni appreciated the reassurance, though he said nothing. "Oh.. right, your powers probably helped with that. Or, do you still have them?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis tilted his head and raised a brow. "Powers..?" He asked. "I.. am not sure what you are speaking of, young Aarni. I have never had anything of the sort," Persis frowned. @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

Aarni turned to look at Persis with Raised brows in surprise (which also revealed the thin rim of water on his lower eyelids.) "Wh-what? Of course you have, powers were the whole reason we were invited to the tournament in the first place!" Although, Daeryn didn't have powers, but she's an outlier who shouldn't be counted. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' brows scrunched in confusion for what seemed to be the hundredth time tonight and he turned away from Aarni. "No.. I.. I do not recall ever having such things, young Aarni. If I had any ability, I doubt I would not be using it here," he replied, but he sounded unsure. It all felt very hazy to him. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"You had plant powers... you hadroses growing in your hair..." Aarni looked at the top of Persis' head, then towards the family portrait. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis reached a hand into his hair at the mention of roses, and the slight pain from earlier panged in his head. "N-No.. I do not—I think you are mistaken, young Aarni," Persis squinted as he took a seat next to Aarni once more. "If I had such powers, I would not need to farm anything by hand.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I'm not", Aarni huffed, frowning. "She's taken them away, somehow... wait.." He turned his attention to his hands once more, and pulled off his left glove. He didn't know what he expected to see, but he still gasped lightly, blinking and flinching a bit. He... was it there? His hand seemed normal; no scar or irritated skin in the place of his sigil like it had been in the dungeon, just clean, markless skin... or was it? Aarni squinted and brought his palm closer to his eyes, turning his hand one way and other, inspecting it closely. He thought he'd seen a faint outline of the flower. And every time he thought he had only imagined it, he sav it again, like a faint reflection in a window, and it vanished as soon as he tried to see it better. He groaned, put his face in his hands and pulled his bangs with his fingers. "Why is she doing this? Why is she making everything so confusing?!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis willed away the pain he was feeling and blinked as Aarni took of his glove. He watched quietly, unsure what the young man was inspecting. Persis frowned ever so slightly and gently patted Aarni's shoulder once again. "I may not know what you are speaking about, young Aarni... but I do want to make sure you are kept safe here. Perhaps.. we should call it a night, and think more about this tomorrow. Give your mind some time to rest and process things." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni sighed and nodded, lowering his hands. "Yeah... I think, that's a good idea." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

At that, Persis smiled and he got up from his seat. "Let me show you to one of the spare rooms. There are plenty in the house," Persis said and gestured for Aarni to follow him further into the home. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Okay, thank you", Aarni muttered and stood from the table. He followed after Persis. "I guess... I could help you around the farm sometime", he hummed. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Oh, if you would like to, that would be great, young Aarni!" Persis nodded as they walked into a corridor of doors. "It takes me nearly all day to simply water my plants, let alone plant new ones as well. An extra pair of hands would be quite helpful," Persis added and gestured to the doors around them. "Take whichever room you would like, young Aarni. They all have a bed and nightstand.. but nothing much else. I left them empty for when my children come visit, so they could decorate it or use it as they pleased... but no one has come visited me yet, so they are still pretty bare." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, I'd be happy to help..." He looked at the doors and nodded. "Okay, thank you. Um. Goodnight. And, sorry I just kinda, appeared and got you hurt, too.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis smiled warmly at Aarni, and even if it had aged and grown a bit more weary, it was the same safe and kind look Aarni was used to seeing. "Never apologize for coming to see me, young Aarni. I appreciate every moment I have with you," Persis said and playfully ruffled Aarni's hair. "I will be okay. Get some rest now. I will be in the last room down the hall if you need anything." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni smiled back, and even let out a small chuckle at the hair ruffle. "Okay. Goodnight, Persis", Aarni said, and picked the closest door, entered it, and took a moment to stand in silence after closing the door behind himself. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Aarni woke up early in the morning, but remained in the bed. He stayed there, lying on his back, looking at the ceiling. He listened to the quiet sounds coming from the window; the stillness of the morning. It was peaceful. He was in no hurry to get up and go anywhere. He would never be in a hurry anymore. He remained in bed.

Asha had been running. For a while. Long past when she knew she should have collapsed from exhaustion. This wasn't right. Seemingly by random chance, she was nearby Persis' house when she realized that running wasn't getting her anywhere. Much like at Juno's house, she tried to sneakily peak through one of the windows to see if she could recognize anyone inside.. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Since it was Aarni's first night with him, Persis had let the young man sleep in. He was out and about early like usual and was working on a patch of roses when he noticed someone passing by his home. He had thought it was one of his neighbors at first, but this person looked quite different from the usual townsfolk. Putting down his tools, Persis slightly lifted up his hat and smiled. "Hello there! Can I help you?" He called towards Asha. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

2

"Ah!" Asha yelped as she heard a masculine voice call out to her. She ducked down from the window and hid behind a bush, before she sloooooowly peaked out.. And she definitely blushed a bit when she saw him. Long gorgeous hair, muscles, more muscles, big pecs, a half well-kept beard, a kind face... Kind of reminded her of her Roman only a bit- more everything. "Oh- I'm sorry I was uh, peeking through your window.. I-i'm just not supposed to be here, I was trying to see if I knew anyone else but Juno.. Do you know him?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis raised a brow when Asha suddenly jumped into the bushes and he jogged over to her to make sure she was okay. When she finally peered back out, Persis offered her a hand. "No, no, it is quite fine. Are you alright, mam? You took a bit of a tumble into the bushes just now.." He replied. "What exactly do you mean by you are not supposed to be here..? And I apologize, but I do not know anyone by that name. What does this 'Juno' look like?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh man he was close-.. She cautiously reached out and took his hand, averting her gaze from him. "I-i'm alright I'm just- really freaked out.." Asha said. "Juno he um- lives on the outskirts of town now. Kinda tall, pale, recently got a bobcut? Blond? And blind?" Yeah, not many other people that could be. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis helped Asha up and raised a brow. "That description.. Yes, I know who you are speaking of. I helped that man the other night because he was lost.. 'Juno' is his name?" Persis hummed. "The townsfolk here simply call him the Hermit... How do you know of him? That man told me he did not know of anyone here, much less his name." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"The hermit?" Asha frowned. That was mean.. they could've ummmmm.. gave him a placeholder name or something?? "He.. He was in a tournament with me a while ago. He's one of my best friends, but he doesn't remember anything.. a-and I don't know how I got here.. You're not from here either, right?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Believe me, I thought it was an odd title as well," Persis agreed with a nod. His eyes widened when Asha mentioned the tournament and he looked over her with a worried expression. "You were at a tournament..? With Sir Juno as well?" Persis repeated. "No, I am not from here. I am from a land called Laputa. How odd it is for you to not remember how you came here. Sir Juno does not remember either, but he told me he feels as though he has lived here for a while. How long ago was this tournament you went to?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It was about twelve years ago, back before I had my kids or much of a reason to not go." Asha said. "But I've never heard of Laputa.. Th-that's not in Ninjago, so.." She took in a deep breath. "I-i was also just in a tournament, Kal Valdez murdered me, a-and I'm here now. Did he end up here too?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Ninjago? No, most certainly not. It is about a weeks trip on a boat to get to Ninjago from Laputa," Persis replied and shook his head. "But twelve years ago is certainly some time... And to be in another one is awful. I am not sure who this Kal Valdez is either, but I assure you, you are most certainly alive here, mam." Persis sighed and readjusted his hat. "How about you come inside to sit down, miss? I believe it would be better than standing out here under the hot son to discuss these topics." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

... Asha didn't want to argue with this guy from the bushes right now. "Alright.." Asha said. Usually she'd be hungry by now, and needing a shower, but she just felt.. Fine. It was unnerving. "We can go inside." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded and beckoned Asha to follow him. "My name is Persis Lancaster. May I know your name, mam?" Persis asked as they walked to the front door. "I hope you at least remember your name, unlike Sir Juno." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Asha Issa, the Motomja of Mlipuko." She said and followed him inside. Usually she wouldn't follow random men in to their houses, but this place was already weird enough. "I still have all my memories I.. I'm pretty sure. I look like I did the day I got abducted, just healthier." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Mlipuko.. hm, I do not believe I have ever been there before, but it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Asha," Persis replied and stepped inside. He gestured for Asha to take a seat wherever she saw fit. "I have been to a tournament myself, many, many years ago. You said you were murdered..? What exactly lead up to that, if you can remember?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It's a pretty small village in the sea of sand. If Laputa imports fireworks for any festivals, it probably routes back to us at the beginning." Asha said and slipped her sandals off at the entry way. Wow, the inside of this house was much nicer than Juno's.. There was actually furniture here. "Well, this tournament it seems like we were all fighting to the death. I-i only had the second fight, so.. I watched that Aarni guy get put down first. And Kal knowingly beat me in that fight despite me doing everything to convince him to stop. He has nothing to go back to, and I have my three kids and an entire village I'm in charge of... He is incredibly selfish, I thought we were friends. When he beat me, the runner of the tournament killed me. And seeing that Kal isn't also here, seems like it may have stopped me from exploding.. Oh, my powers make me explode when I die. That's why I say that." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed as he listened to Asha. He sat down on one of the chairs in the living space and gestured for Asha to join him. "Laputa buys fireworks from other nations, so it could be possible we have bought some from your village before," he simply shrugged. Persis visibly straightened in his seat when Asha mentioned Aarni. So Asha had to of come from the same tournament Aarni had just came from. Kal and Asha were friends... Kal beat Asha in their fight, but it was the host of the tournament that actually did her in. That lined up with what Aarni said too. "I apologize to hear that.. it must of been shocking to know your friend would turn so easily on you. You.. have powers that make you explode? What exactly do you have, Miss Asha?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha sat down with a seat between them. She didn't know him well enough to sit right next to him. "Oh, yes, I was shocked as well.. After I did so much for him too- urgh.. He's a moron." Asha grumbled. "I have firework powers, but I can't get them to seem to work here.. But I feel them within me still. It's a failsafe measure from my powers to dissuade potential assassinations, since if I were to die the powers would be up for grabs again. People would have a hard time killing me and getting away with it easily.. And usually the Motomtu or Motomja gives away their powers if they become too elderly or ill, so it's rare that explosions actually happen.." @ajjjjjjjj (edited)

Wow. That was sort of a lot all at once, but Persis remained calm and focused on what Asha was telling him. "That is quite the ability to have... and the failsafe is quite good if you are afraid of assassination attempts," Persis nodded. He would have to assume assassination attempts were prevalent around Asha's village if they needed such a failsafe. "So... To circle back to what you were saying before outside... You believe you are dead, and that is how you got here. And that you know of Sir Juno outside of this place as well. I have to tell you, that is.. a little hard to believe. Young Aarni.. that one you spoke of before, is also here. He also told me he died before coming here but.. I just do not understand. Everyone living here is well and healthy." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't- I don't know how else I can convince you. Aarni and I both died at the ends of our fights. I just had a baby five weeks ago, and the second I got to this.. Afterlife, I was suddenly healed. I think I broke my hip too in my fight, and I could run around all day. I don't get tired, I don't feel hungry, it's not right." "I tried to call my husband but not a single number worked. A-and in my universe, there is no Laputa or any other countries besides ninjago and the Loucari- If I'm not dead, I still got taken to a different realm somehow." ".. But I really doubt it. I saw that they burned Aarni's corpse on a pyre. His powers lit up the sky. So it couldn't have been fake.. I'm sorry, I'm very sure we're all dead here.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Again, Persis listened closely to what Asha had to say. He didn't know her like he knew Aarni, but even still, he had a hard time believing Asha would just run in here and lie to him. She even knew the Hermit.. and the Hermit knew nothing about himself. Things Asha described lined up with what Aarni had said too, but even still... This was just too much. "The host of your tournament. Who was it? Was it this Albanes and the Lifebringer?" Persis asked with a frown. "I do not... I cannot wrapped my head around this at all. I am alive. So are the people here. How are we having this conversation if we were deceased?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yes, it was Albanes and Naiyta.." Asha said with disdain.. Her glance shifted away from Persis and around the room, where she saw the picture frame. Instantly, she stood up and walked to it, scrutinizing it closely. ".. It looks like you have a picture of Albanes here. She did something to you too." Asha said. "We must be- in an afterlife or something. This isn't all too different from how the Departed realm was described, but this isn't that. She- made you think you're still alive, I guess." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' gaze followed Asha as she walked to the photo. His frown deepend when Asha said Albanes' name. "Young Aarni said the same thing... that the person in there was this 'Albanes'.. but I have no memory of such a person," Persis sighed. "Let us say we are dead then. That for some reason, this Lifebringer is holding our spirits captive here. Why? Is there some sort of goal to it? And why make us believe we are alive?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't know I- I didn't get much time to actually find anything it this time with how early my fight was.. In the other tournament there was a dungeon that I rescued everyone from, but here... I.. I don't know any way out.." She sighed deeply. "The only other person I recognize in the picture is Kallum, he won that first fight.. Who is everyone else..? Maybe I can connect something.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis quietly got up and stepped to the opposite side of the photograph Asha was looking at. He pointed to each individual, starting from the left. "This here is my son Enzo, then this is me, and then my daughter, Madelyn... Then that would make the woman next to her 'Albanes'. Next to me is my husband, Varian, and our other sons... Kallum, Daxton, and Cody," he explained. "I.. I do not know what any of them would have to do with this tournament you are at. I was once in a tournament, and that is how I met my family. I am the only one here though. The rest of them are still in Laputa." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

This Enzo guy looked familiar... But Cansu hadn't mentioned him by name so Asha probably wouldn't be able to tell just from that. And also, why was everyone gay here?! Not that she had a problem with it, but... Why?? "Oh.. So you adopted your kids there? Did they invite a lot of children to that tournament? Like.. Orphan children...?" Asha mumbled. That was pretty evil. Not more than inviting a mother of 3 though. "It's weird that you'd have this picture if you don't know Albanes.. You never questioned that? Clearly she messed with your mind." Asha said. "She's not to be trusted. I bet she turned on all of you and made you forget. I wouldn't be surprised if she killed you, for the 'greater good' or something like that.. I think her kind persona is all a lie, she's just as evil as Naiyta." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded, his gaze focused on his family. "Yes. There were quite the lot there. If they were not orphaned, they had a horrible home life. I am glad I was there to shelter them, even if the events that transpired were less than pleasant," Persis nodded. His gaze became a little tighter as he glanced over at Albanes and he rested his head in his hand for a moment. "It is simply a family portrait... I try not to linger on it too much, or else I would drown in the distance between us," he frowned. "I.. I still cannot recall who she is. Whether or not she killed me.. I do not know either. I still feel alive.. Maybe.. Maybe young Aarni will have a better chance in figuring things out with you, Miss Asha. He is sleeping down the hall." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Did you kidnap them? Because you can't just take kids because they have a bad home life-" Probably not the time for this. "Aarni stayed here with you? That's nice, I went to the inn with Juno.. And didn't sleep at all." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

That actually managed to make Persis chuckle. "No, no. I simply gave them the option to come with me after the tournament was over. Believe it or not, but I do not go around just forcing people to come home with me," he said earnestly. "Though, it is because many of them had a bad home life, or no home life to speak of at all, that they decided to give me a chance, and I am forever relieved that I was able to give them a support they never had." "And yes, young Aarni stayed with me. You and Sir Juno went to the inn? Well, I suppose Sir Juno does not quite have a place for extra people, so I suppose that makes sense. You have been through a lot in the past little bit.. it is only natural you do not feel tired enough to sleep." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, Persis seemed incredibly kind, but kids still couldn't just leave their families just because someone invited them to.. Hopefully that didn't cause any commotion from their biological families, but if they were at a tournament, the damage was already done.. "I didn't want to sleep on the floor at his house.. Did you see it? It's basically empty in there, it's so sad.. He's such a sweet guy and he's living in poverty." Asha said. "A-and he has a husband too, I attended their wedding.. And they came to mine. He doesn't remember Marin at all.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded. "I did see it. I helped Sir Juno to his home the other night because he got lost," he replied. Though, he did frown a bit as Asha spoke. "He has a husband..? Well, he spoke vaguely about having a family to me, and most he mentioned was a possible wife and a daughter. Are you certain this Sir Juno is the one you know?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"His wife was Jymaiyri, she's been dead for.. A while. He never mentioned a kid.." Asha frowned. He definitely would've brought that up to her. "I'm starting to think he's not my Juno.. But it's weird, because he looks like him.. And acts like how he'd act if he were to lose all his memories. But there was a statue of him out in the tournament- it's head was shattered.. A-and Kal told me that Juno was evil in his universe. Like- really evil.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"His wife is dead?" Persis asked with raised brows. That probably wasn't good news for a man who had lost his memory. Of course, the rest of Asha's explanation was just as equally confusing. "Evil..? And he was present as a statue in the tournament you were in? That is.. a lot," Persis frowned. He thought about it for a moment, but a sharp pain splintered his mind. Persis winced and put his hand up to his temple, trying to soothe the pain away. "I-If he was there... Even if just as a statue, would that not mean he and I are somehow connected to that place? That is the most I can conclude at the moment." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, he said he went by Yeonaixho in that other tournament and he was a cult leader which makes no sense.." Asha sighed deeply. "It's not as surprising that he had a statue there, he was a Lifebringer like Albanes.. But if Albanes is the current Lifebringer here.. I suppose she is the one who came right after him. I don't know how you're involved.. Besides your daughter holding hands with her in the picture." "They must have been good friends." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

The pain in Persis head just grew as he listened to Asha. What was happening to him? He clenched his teeth to try and hold the grunt of pain threatening to escape his throat, the grip on the side of his head tightening. "I.." Persis shut up, unable to say or even think more about this topic. "I-I need to sit down," he simply said, stumbling back to his seat. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh shoot yeah just- just sit down.." Asha quickly turned away from the photo and helped Persis sit down in the nearest seat. "I- how do you feel pain here? I haven't felt any physical discomfort since I got here.. That witch much have put a curse on you when she was killing you." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis rested his face in his hand, still clenching his jaw. "I.. I-I do not know," was all Persis could answer. He was just trying to enjoy his retirement. Why was all of this happening? And why now? For just the briefest of moments, the nasty black scar on Persis' chest seemed to grow, but just as quickly as Asha may of noticed it, the scar faded back into the same position as before... @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh, she had really thought that was a birthmark or something.. Apparently not. "Um- that thing on your chest moved.. What was that?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis gave Asha a confused look and his other hand went over the mark on his chest. "What..? I think you may be mistaken, Miss Asha.." He quietly replied. "I-I will go get young Aarni in a moment.. And maybe you two can figure something out." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"You should stay sitting, you're.. Hurt, for some reason. I can go get Aarni, where is he staying?" Asha asked and took a step back from him. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He let out a small sigh, but nodded. "Down the hall.. First door to your left," Persis replied. "M-May want to introduce yourself through the door first. Young Aarni will think it is me if you do not, and will be surprised otherwise." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

Asha nodded and headed off down the unfamiliar hallway..

8:06 AM

First door to the left. She gently knocked. "Aarni? It's Asha, from the tournament. We didn't meet, but I'm here now." Asha announced. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni had been still lying in bed, staring at the ceiling. He turned his head when Asha knocked, and good thing she introduced jerself before opening the door. His eyes widened when he heard Asha say she was from the tournament. He jumped out of bed, and quickly dressed up, having slept in his underwear. He opened the door with haste, and looked at the woman with his hair a mess and his heart pounding. "..Hello." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Oh, it was a relief to see this guy not as a corpse.. Even if it meant she was definitely dead too. "Hi, I'm.. Sorry..?" Asha didn't really know how to express her condolences here. "I.. saw your fight." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni didn't quite know how to act or how to talk to Asha. Yeah. They were dead. Asha had seen him die. Now they existed in the afterlife. That sure was... a unique way to meet someone. Aarni nodded, and let go of the door to idly brush his hair back. "Ye.. yeah. It was pretty rough", he let out a hollow laugh without a smile. "So, she really is bringing everyone here... I'm guessing you also lost your fight?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha, notably, was not attracted to this guy. Maybe a bit too pasty pale... Someone who stayed inside all day and didn't work. Plus she saw him be pretty pathetic in that arena. Also, she was old enough to be his mom. "Yes, I did.. Kal killed me. Did you meet him?" Asha asked. "They burned your body after your fight, but I doubt there was much of me left to burn at all." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Kal? No, I don't know who that is.." His eyebrows scrunched and he felt chills down his back when Asha told what had happened to his body. He grabbed the door frame and took a deep breath. "Mhm. I'm.. sorry that happened to you. Did it... hurt?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Oh, I was hurting that entire battle. I went in already injured. And I broke my hip at the last bit. But Kal refused to listen to reason, and put me to death. I'm surprised he's not here too, the explosion should've killed him.. If not, it taught him a lesson, at least." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni grimaced slightly, genuinely sympathetic. "Oh, shit.. I'm so sorry, that sounds awful..." he shook his head gently. "Hm... welcome to the afterlife, I guess. Things seem pretty nice here so far, of you ignore that people's memories and powers are not quite there." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Asha stared at him. "Are you seriously just accepting that this is our fate? I'm not going to ignore anything, I'm going to get home." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni was quiet for a little while, before trying to say as gently and in as comforting tone as he could muster: "Asha... we are dead. There is no way to go home, anymore..." It was clear he hadn't made his peace with it yet, and was trying to hide his mourning. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No, I know you don't believe that. I don't know what your family situation is like, but I have three kids, a husband, brother, friends, and a whole village to get back to. I'll never just give up here. Even in a hundred years when my kids are all dead, I'll never see them here. They put me in an afterlife that no one from my village has ever went to. This is ridiculous." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shook his head lightly again, but paused when he heard about Asha's family. "Fuck, that's.. that's so fucked up", he frowned. "Look, we are safe here. This is Albanes' realm. Maybe once she's not busy with the tournament we can ask if she can arrange you to move to a different afterlife?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"We're not safe, we're dead. Who even knows how time moves here versus out there- Actually I guess we could compare, how long were you here before last night? That's when I arrived." "So your plan is to let everyone else die out there, then beg Albanes to move us around to the right afterlife? No, we need to get out of here before any more people die. Who knows how many fights they had overnight." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yes, but we exist", was Aarni's first reply. "Oh, um, I also came here last night. I'm not sure what time exactly, but the sky was dark and there was a lot of stars." "I don't have a plan. We can do nothing. If we somehow got out of here we would be ghosts at best", Aarni sighed. "Though, if you think even that's possible, I guess we can try, but what can we do even if we got there? We couldn't get out of there even when we were living." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Hm, seems like time passes pretty close in here to how it does out there.. But who knows what is like there versus the real world." Asha said. "Doing nothing isn't an option. Have you even went out and looked yet? Or have you just been lying in bed feeling sorry for yourself, young man? We have to try. it's too early to give up now." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni huffed a little, glancing away with a mild, embarrassed blush. "Stop sounding like my dad.." he muttered. "Well, I was thinking I would go ask around the village if Albs ever comes around here. Since Persis doesn't remember her, he's no help with that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"'Albs?' Are you really on a nickname basis with half the reason you're dead? If she wanted to help or was genuinely a good person at all, we wouldn't be here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"There was nothing she could do to stop Naiyta's plans. We would be gone, entirely, if she didn't bring our sould here", Aarni explained. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Did she tell you that, or did you just make it up?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"She told me. When I had found out who I was fighting, I was panicking. I went to talk to her, asking what I.. how could I.. what was I supposed to do, asking if there was any way she could stop it. She told me she was going to take care of us, even if we died, no matter which one it would be. I think she called this Immaterial Fold, or something." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I wouldn't call this 'taking care of us'. She hasn't even shown her stupid face here." Asha huffed and crossed her arms. "There's no reason that you should trust her. She's lying about everything, I'm sure." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni's eyes narrowed when Asha called Albanes' face stupid. "I have every reason to trust her. She's my friend. She would never lie to me. Especially not something important as this", Aarni said, the softness gone. "She said it would all be fine in the end. She might have a plan, or maybe having everyone's souls safely here is what she considers the good ending, but either way, without her, I would be gone. So she's already saved me. Again." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha noticed the glare, but she just shot it straight back at him. "You can't accept whatever lies she tells you just because you think she's your friend. If we wasn't for her, we wouldn't even be in this situation to begin with. She was lying to you to make you complacent, and it worked." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Albanes didn't come up with the tournament. It was Naiyta's idea, and she couldn't do antything to stop it, so she did everything she could to protect us from it. You don't know Albanes like I do. We met at a tournament when she was a normal girl. She saved my life back then. She's my best friend. She would not lie to me." Aarni said the last words sternly. He took a deep breath and sighed. "However, I'm not sure if her.. idea is the best. Or at lwast, I'd like to hear it before I agree to it. I'll try to find a way to contact her, so she can explain what's going on here and why doesn't Persis remember her." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Again, Albanes told you all of that. Maybe it was her idea, or half her idea, and she's just trying to keep your good favor. Clearly it worked." Asha said. "I'd love to see her here too, then I could show her some 'thanks' for all the 'help' she's given me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"She would never want to hurt me!" Aarni raised his voice, his anger now clear on his face. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well she has! She let you die, she let me die, she's going to let EVERYONE die!" Asha shouted right back at him at the same level. "If she was your friend, she would have done more than just save your soul! She'd have spared your LIFE!" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Naiyta killed me! If it was up to her I wouldn't even be there! None of us would! She's not a bloodthirsty freak like the other one! She can't do anything more against Naiyta! It's what she gets her powers from, it probably can control her!" He wouldn't let someone trash on his friends. Ever. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Yeah, the bigger asshole killed you, but Albanes just looked away and let it happen!" She threw her hands up in the air and leaned in closer to him. "I've not seen it control her at all, and I've talked to her a lot!" (If you want Persis to come in go ahead and tag aj lol) @Twig | Seki / Aarni

1

"There was nothing she could do! She probably felt horrible! Don't talk like you know her, you know nothing about her!" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Young Aarni," Persis voice cut through the air with a sense of commandment. The former knight's voice was stern, but didn't hold any true malice as it echoed against the hall walls. Persis was using one of the walls as support as he walked towards Asha and Aarni, a somewhat serious expression on his face. "That is enough.. both of you," Persis sighed. "It is still early in the morning. I do not think arguing will help either of you feel better about this situation, so how about we take a breather?" He suggested. "We can have breakfast.. then we can discuss things—Civilly." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha didn't look over at Persis as he spoke, but her expression showed clear annoyance. Who was this random person to speak with her this way? Didn't he know who she was? "Yes, let's stop talking about this for now.." Asha grumbled and crossed her arms again. @ajjjjjjjj @Twig | Seki / Aarni (edited)

Aarni tensed and dipped his head when he heard Persis' voice. He wss still scowling, but when he glanced at Persis and saw him needing support from the wall, his expression became worried instead. "Persis, what's the matter?" he asked, and quickly walked up to him, offering his arm for support as well. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @

10:33 AM

@Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis gladly took Aarni's arm, grunting quietly as he pushed himself off the wall. "Thank you, young Aarni. I am fine.. just.. a little light headed," Persis nodded. "I have some oatmeal and fruit if either of you are hungry. Some pastries as well. I think everyone feels a lot better after having something in their stomach." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha looked over her shoulder, and did feel a little bad when she saw the condition he was in. He wasn't doing well, and he still came all the way over here to intervene. "Hmpf." Asha huffed. "Fine, that does sound a little nice." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded seriously. Persis needed to sit down. Maybe the food could help him feel better? "Okay, lets get you to the table.." he said, and started leading Persis back. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded, gesturing for Asha to follow him and Aarni along towards the kitchen. With Aarni's help, Persis sat down in one of the chairs around the dining table, a slight grunt of pain escaping his lips as he did so. "Hrm.. My age must be getting to me. I apologize you both have to see me so down. I promise I am usually much more active and thriving," he said to them with a weak smile. "Feel free to help yourselves to anything in the kitchen. The plates and silverware are all in the cabinets next to the fridge." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha did follow along behind them, slowly.. She was carefully looking at the rest of the decorations in the house. Once they were in the kitchen, she just awkwardly stood off to the side. "Mm.. What do you have to eat here..? I'm not feeling hungry, but usually food makes me feel better anyway." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I can.. make the oatmeal if you want", Aarni offered. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Truthfully, Asha didn't usually cook for herself. So she didn't know how to make oatmeal. ".. Sure, that sounds.. Fine." Asha sighed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"There is also some eggs and bacon in the fridge if you want something with more protein," Persis added. "I usually only eat a light breakfast now. No need for something so hefty." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Which one would you like?" Aarni asked Asha with his natural, monotonous way of talking, while opening the cabinets to find pots and pans. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

9:57 AM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This place was so weird. ".. Probably the eggs and bacon- that sounds a bit better than oatmeal." Asha said and awkwardly sat at the table. @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Mhm." Aarni set a pan on the stove, and fished the carton of eggs and a package of beacon from the fridge. He put as many strips of bacon he could fit on the pan, and turned the stove on. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis relaxed back into his seat, feeling better than he was before. "Would you two like some tea? I have coffee if you prefer," he asked. Seems like the conversation of food was a good distraction. @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha was not feeling much better. Maybe if she actually felt her stomach ache, she would care more about this fake food. "Do you have iced tea?" Asha asked. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni poked and moved the bacon on the pan quietly, watching them slowly release oil on the pan and sizzle as they cooked. "I could drink some coffee", he hummed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Hmm.. I could make iced tea," Persis replied. Letting out a breath, Persis got up from his seat and started to work on that coffee and tea, his movement still a bit sluggish, but he didn't seem to be in pain anymore. "It is nice to have some company over. I do not know when the last time it was where I ate breakfast with someone." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, the last time Asha ate breakfast with someone it was a wonderful meal with Roman and her kids.. "... Mm. It's always nicer to eat with other people.." Asha mumbled. But what were the chances that this place had the food that she actually liked? Not just bland staples? Plus, she wasn't even hungry.. What was the point? @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni only hummed in reply, and focused on his cooking. Once the bacon were ready and crispy, he took the pan from the stove, found some paper towels and put the strips of bacon on the paper to wait. Then, he fried 3 eggs in the bacon fat. It smelled yummy. "Could you put the plates and stuff on the table?" Aarni asked Asha over his shoulder. She was currently the only one doing nothing, so it was fair to ask her to help with the breakfast. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Asha was perfectly content to do nothing. Roman was always the one that set the table- and before him, it was one of the servants.. But none of those people were here. "Uh-" Asha mumbled. "Sure.. Plates and what else..?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Plates, cups, forks, knives... and maybe little spoons for the cups", Aarni hummed. "Hmm, although, tall glasses are probably better for iced tea." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

"You can find all of that in the cabinets there," Persis said and gestured his elbow towards the cabinets by the fridge. He had finished up the tea, so he was just waiting for it to cool. Meanwhile, the coffee was still brewing in the pot. @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

@Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (if you guys wanna we can prolly time skip over the breakfast to the conversation or whatever, since the rp time has progressed a couple times by now?)

(Oop yeah that's fine with me)

(sure lol. I'll just progress us then-) After breakfast and washing up any plates used, the table was settled down with the three of them. Each had their beverage of choice and a plate of cookies was set between all of them. Just in case they wanted another snack. Persis glanced between his guests, knowing the conversation from earlier would once again have to be brought up. "So... I suppose we should all start from the beginning, so we all know what we are working with. I am Persis Lancaster, and I come from a time where young Aarni here is already much older, and I am a retired knight. I do not know who or what this 'Lifebringer' is, nor who this 'Albanes' is. I have no memory of anything related to the topic, and I am still pretty certain I am alive and well," he reintroduced himself. "I believe that pretty much sums up my point of view of what is going on. I would like you two to explain what you two believe, so we may compare and try to make sense of what is going on." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha had not eaten much of the breakfast, or any of these cookies.. Her appetite felt nonexistent, which only stressed her out more. "I'm Asha Issa, and I didn't know anyone here besides Kal and Juno before the tournament started. I'm the Motomja of my village, basically the ruler of it, so I really need to get home.. I also have three kids back there." Asha sighed. "I was kidnapped by a firey thing and taken to compete, where I saw Aarni die by Naiyta's hand and where Kal murdered me. And then I woke up here." "Oh, I also spoke to Albanes a few times. She's definitely the one in that photograph. And she's evil." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni had eated the normal amount of food. Though he didn't feel hungry, the food was good and felt satisfying nevertheless. He listened to both Persis and Asha with his default resting-bitch face, only frowning a bit at the last bit Asha said. "I'm Aarni Repo. A stable worker and a show jumper. In my timeline we were in a tournament on an island a bit over a year ago. I met Persis, Kallum, Kenji, Enzo, Maddy and Albanes on that island. Apart from Kallum, we all had a creature of some kind inside of us, to some extent able to possess us, so we bonded over that, more or less. I was also taken by that fire demon thing while I was riding cross country, and brought into that tournament with Asha. Albanes told be Naiyta had arranged the tournament and picked all the contestants, as well as arranged the fights, and she couldn't stop them because Naiyta as the original Lifebringer was more powerful and had power over her. She said she would keep me safe, even if I died. She said she would take me to an 'Immaterial Fold', and that everything would turn out well. I believe her." "Albanes had the Lifebringer's powers already on the island when we met, but she was still mostly human. Her mentor, Yeonaixho, Juno, had cut out her heart and replaced it with the Lifebringer's powers, so that she'd have to become the next Lifebringer after him. She didn't want that. She was scared of becoming a god and how it would change her... So, when Persis offered everyone who didn't have anywhere better to go to move to Laputa, she happily did that because she could get a heart surgery and a real heart again. And she did, I was there after the operation, and it was successful. Everything was so well, I didn't think.. she'd ever chooce to become the Lifebringer, but..." Aarni hesitated, and glanced at Persis. "She... told me Maddy had died... and after that, she was too sad to stay in Laputa. She went to Loucari and became the Lifebringer." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Persis listened intently to both Asha and Aarni. There were pieces of their stories that lined up pretty well. The whole being brought to another tournament-like event by a firey being, this 'Lifebringer', and then meeting someone named Albanes, who was also a Lifebringer. No matter how much Persis tried to rack his brain, he just couldn't remember anything relating to those topics. Even as Aarni and Asha told him about it, Persis struggled to hold onto any knowledge of the God. His eyes slowly traveled to the photo hanging on the wall, his gaze becoming warm, yet distant. Such a fond, but far away memory. "Young Madelyn is dead..?" He asked with a deep set frown. Whether or not that information was true, just the idea of his daughter being dead hurt Persis, and it was evident in his voice. "..It seems like the person in my photograph is indeed this 'Albanes', if both of what you are saying is true. There are similarities in your stories, so I am finding it difficult to not accept that it must be true, but... To think we are dead and then that this Lifebringer named Albanes is controlling it all... I am left wondering why," Persis sighed. "And I am certain neither of you are content with staying here... You still have long lives to return to, but I.. I honestly am not sure where to proceed from here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni knew a lot of the people that were here.. A lot more than she had. And surely all those people were gay too. The moment Aarni said Yeonaixho, Asha's mouth gaped open. She could hardly even follow along after Aarni had mentioned him cutting Albanes' heart out. Why- why would he do that? That had to have been a lie.. She didn't care about Madelyn, or that she was dead. But she did think it was a bit extreme to leave your country and become a god just because your friend died. "I- I can't stay here. I'm going to get out, somehow." Asha said after a deep breath. "And Aarni, what did this.. Yeonaixho look like?" Because it must have been some other Yeonaixho, it was such a common name.. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded sadly. "The Albanes in the new tournament has been alive for centuries, so on her timeline all of us are dead by now, I'm sure", he hummed. At Asha's question, Aarni turned to look at her, and then turned to look at the walls with contemplation, trying to remember if he knew. "Hmm... Oh, I think he was blond, and had long hair. Kind of pale skin.. I think that was him. I saw a photograph of him once. I know for a fact that he was blind, though, so he had a bit misty eyes." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Aarni's further explanation didn't really put Persis' mind at ease. He unsettled, to say the least. The description he gave however, piqued Persis' interest. It matched the Hermit almost perfectly. He turned to Asha and gave her a knowing look. "..That sounds like the Hermit. If young Aarni is correct, that would create yet another link between 'Albanes' and us. There must be some reason we are all here at her regard." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Yep, that Yeonaixho was Juno.. At least, a version of him. She knew that hers had not done all those awful things, when would he have had the time..? "Juno is my friend I- I don't think he could hurt someone like that.. there has to be a misunderstanding somewhere." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Albanes' mentor Juno was dead. He had died pretty soon after giving his powers to Albanes. She explained how the powers were slowly changing her body and making her a god. If she changed too much before she got the god part removed from her, her body couldn't live without it anymore. Juno had already changed fully into a god, so when he gave away his powers, he died pretty soon. He was looking forward to it, from what I could tell from Albs' tellings", Aarni spoke in a low voice. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Persis hummed. "The Juno you know must be different from the Juno that Albanes knows, Miss Asha... So I doubt the Juno that is here is yours," he concluded. After all, if Asha was so certain her Juno couldn't have done any of the things Aarni spoke of, they must be completely separate. "..Though, the Albanes you know sounds quite.. complicated, young Aarni. If what you are saying is true, it sounds almost like Albanes is trapping people she knew here," Persis said, and abruptly fell quiet. That pain from earlier was back and he winced, trying to hide most of his reaction. @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, couldn't be her Juno then.. since he was very much alive and gay married. "But- I didn't know Albanes before the tournament.. Why would she want to put me in this wrong Afterlife so bad?" Asha asked. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I don't think she's 'trapping us' here. She probably brings everyone here to be safe. I'm sure she'll sort everything out once the tournament is over and she has more time. I don't know if she can bring us back to life... but at least I'm sure she can help everyone to the afterlives they belong to", Aarni speculated. He was, in fact, not sure. But he wanted to hope she would be able to do that for Asha. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis remained quiet for a bit longer, holding his head in his hand against the table. He really wish these headaches would quit it. "...I-I meant more so the people here.. Here in Shairoun, before you or anyone else arrived. She must know all of us," Persis managed to say before falling quiet once more. Just trying to say that line of words was a struggle. What on Earth was going on? @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Well, if Albanes was in charge of all of this, and Juno really had done all those things.. his living situation made a lot more sense. But why even bother to bring him here at all if she hated him so much? ".. She ditched us all here and forgot about us. She won't even come in to stop making Persis hurt." Asha scoffed. "So much for keeping us safe." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Persis is hurt because he's trying to remember something Albanes made him forget. That is one thing I don't understand. Why did he made you forget about you? I don't get it..." Aarni frowned, looking at Persis worriedly. "In any case, Albanes is from Shairoun. All the village's people were killed in a plague, exept her. Juno saved her and she only lost a leg. She had to leave the village with him. I'm not sure how long ago that was, I don't remember," he sighed a little, "but I wouldn't be surprised if she's recreated this place from her own childhood memories, and the people living here are the ones who lived in the real Shairoun village." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shook his head, just as confused as Aarni about the situation, if not more. "I am unsure of Albane's motives... or anyone's motives, really, about this whole situation we all found ourselves in... But the case stands, you two are here against your will. Myself and the people of Shairoun are pretty content here regardless of.. what you two believe to be happening," Persis sighed. "I wish to help you two return to your homes... but I am not sure exactly how to go about that. You two said you had powers before coming here, correct? Yet you are unable to access them... I wonder if that has to deal with being disconnected from your realities. There must be some way to connect you to the correct place." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. She's a freak to do this to us, to kidnap us and place us in a totally unfamiliar place in her memories." Asha grumbled. "And yes, I can feel the powers in me.. But I just can't use them for some reason. It's never been a problem in the past.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni quieted down for a moment, lowering his head with a solemn look. "Oh, I... the mark on my hand that came with my powers is gone, but sometimes I think I can almost see it. It's weird... What's also weird and I don't get, is why you don't remember you also had powers, Persis. I don't see why that's something Albanes needed to take away from your memories." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shook his head, looking down at his hand for a moment before glancing at his guests. "People do things for various reasons... I wish this Albanes would just reveal herself here and tell us why," he sighed. He turned to Aarni and shrugged. "You said I had them, young Aarni, but I do not recall having anything of the sort. I have always just been a normal knight compared to the rest of the people around me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha didn't really know, or care to know, about the plant powers he may or may not have had. "Yes.. I'd love for her to show her face here.." Asha grumbled. "I need those powers to go back to my village. So she better not have taken them." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni hummed. "You had them, and it bothers me that you think you didn't... unless you are a different Persis from a universe where you never had powers", Aarni sighed. "I do wish she comes to talk with us as well..." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis raised a brow and turned to Asha. "You need your powers to return home..? I suppose you did explain how useful they can be as being a leader.. but I would hope your people would still accept you back, even without them.." He commented. "And in regards to your statement, young Aarni.. I am unsure. If I am from a different universe, that may be the only difference—That I do not have the same powers as you think I do. Out of curiosity, however, what powers did your Persis have? I am quite intrigued." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I would be shunned and exiled if I returned without my powers, they are the lifeblood of my village, and have been for many generations, unbroken.." And she had been careless enough to lose them twice now. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni glanced at Asha worriedly. Then he turned back to Persis to reply. "You had plant powers. You could grow any plants, and you had roses in your hair that changed color according to your emotions." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis frowned as he listened to Asha. "I see.. that is an unfortunate circumstance. Your people should be welcoming even without the powers. They are your home, after all. I am sorry to hear that, Miss Asha. I hope you are able to get them back," he hummed. When he turned back to Aarni, Persis seemed to grow even more confused. "Roses that grew in my hair..? Well, that sounds a bit silly, young Aarni, but I suppose it is interesting. Thank you for telling me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I will not be returning without them." She mumbled. ... emotion color changing flowers..? That was kind of adorable.. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shrugged. "You have them in that portrait. Yellow for happy." He spared another concerned look at Asha for her power situation. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Persis nodded, thinking for a moment before turning to his portrait once again. He stood up and went over to it, gently taking it off the wall and looking over the photo. "I still cannot remember having anything of the sort, but I hold this picture dearly. So, it must be me in this photo..." He sighed. Persis rubbed his thumb over the golden frame before turning back to his guests. "Perhaps someone in town could provide more answers for you two... there is a temple in town and outside, there are some ruins. If the person who sent you here is a God, maybe those places would provide some clue?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yes, Aarni, maybe you can pray to your friend over in the temple, and she'll grace us with a moment of her amazing godly presence." Asha said and looked over at him. "I'm not going to demean myself like that, but if you're really friends, maybe she'll talk to you." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Maybe I will", Aarni glared back, but his voice was only slightly louder than normal. "Maybe you can go ask the townspeople who the current Lifebringer is and if it even comes around here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

"Young Aarni.." Persis commented briefly, looking over to the young man with a knowing look. It was the same kind of look a parent gave to their child when the child was being rude. He set the frame back where it was before giving the two a small, tired smile. "Well, my home is always open to you two. So, whenever you are exhausted from your outing, feel welcomed to come back. I am making some beef and potato for dinner tonight." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. I don't like to travel around strange places unaccompanied." Asha huffed. "So, I guess I'll have to go wherever Aarni goes. Or stay here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni looked back at Persis and spread his arms a little with a shrug as though to say Asha was rude first. He frowned a bit and sighed lightly, not happy with the idea if Asha coming along to insult Albanes at every opportunity. "I guess you can go to church with me... or we can go look at the ruins.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis could tell Aarni wasn't the happiest with the idea of Asha going with him. In all honesty, Persis wasn't sure if it was a good idea for the pair to leave together. He sighed a little, running his hand through a couple of locs. "How about this? Young Aarni, you can go to one of the places yourself, and Miss Asha, I can accompany you to the other? I finished most of my work today, so I do not mind. It should still leave enough time for me to cook dinner," he suggested. "And I trust young Aarni to be able to take care of himself. Though, if you find trouble, you should come back here immediately." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Hm. That works for me.." Asha sighed. "I don't want to go to that church. So.. Around the town it is. Do you have any money..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded, clearly relaxing. "Okay, that works for me as well", Aarni nodded and stood up. "I will go to the temple and return here before night, then." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I have money, yes, but if we are the ones going to the ruins, I doubt we need it," Persis hummed as he collected a small satchel. "Be careful out there, young Aarni. I will leave a key out under the potted plant by the door if you decide to return early," he told Aarni and gently patted the young man's back. @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Persis gets money, but not Juno? Maybe he sells things from his garden that actually is living... Asha stood and followed Persis, before deciding just to go wait by the door. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Mhm, alright. You guys stay safe as well", Aarni nodded, and left the house with the others, to part ways outside. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis followed everyone out, putting a key under the potted plant like he said before waving goodbye to Aarni. "Stay safe, young Aarni," Persis repeated that mantra even in death. Once Aarni had gone, he turned to Asha. "Let us head out as well, Miss Asha." @Twig | Seki / Aarni @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Asha slipped her sandals back on and adjusted her purse before following Persis out. "Mhm." Asha said. "And thank you, for coming with me." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis warmly smiled at Asha and nodded. "Of course. It would not sit well with me if anything were to happen... plus, I would also like some answers. I do not know how much I can be of help, but I am hoping I can at least assist you two in getting back home," Persis replied. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Do you really not care about getting home at all? Your family must be back there worried about you." Asha asked. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile faded a bit at that and he turned to look at the road ahead of them. "This is my home now. I know it may seem all crazy to you and young Aarni, Miss Asha... but I have been here for some time now. My family is away doing what they need to do. I am happy being able to live the rest of my life out here in peace." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. But if you can accept that me and Aarni are dead, surely.. Surely you have to understand that you're dead too..?" Asha asked. "Is the rest of your family going to come to this same afterlife..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He sighed and continued to stare straight ahead. "Even if it is true we are dead here, this still remains my home. Unlike you or young Aarni, I have no sense that something is wrong with myself. I am happy. I am content," Persis replied. "If I was forcibly taken here, the person who keeps me makes sure I am taken care of... I am uncertain if my family will ever come, but who knows?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Are you not worried at all that Albanes warped your mind? She made you forget really important things, you didn't even remember that she existed and was friends with your daughter.." Asha frowned. "This doesn't feel sinister at all to you..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I would be lying if I said I was not concerned... But it is like a part of me is unable to be worried," Persis explained. "I do not know why I do not remember the things young Aarni talks about, but I have a feeling there is a reason. What those reasons are.. well, that is what we are trying to solve. I assume the reason why I am not worried is similar as to why I cannot remember certain things. Someone has decided I am better off without them." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"... mmm.." Asha huffed just a tad. Persis' complacency was irritating. "I guess as long as you're happy, you think, it's whatever. Let's just get going.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded and walked towards where he knew the #ruins were. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Aarni arrived back to Persis' home late at night, but discovered nobody was present. He hoped nothing bad had happened to them, and that they hadn't gone look for him while he was gone. He went to the kitchen and saw nobody had cooked dinner. In that case the two had probably not come home yet. Aarni considered cooking, but he didn't know what to make, so he finally decided to just wait in the living room. He wasn't hungry after all. He went and sat down on one of the comfy chairs, and waited. As he sat in silence, in the cozy light of the home, alone with his thoughts, a strong urge to cry suddenly washed over him. He took in a light breath, and... felt empty. No tears came out. He finally curled up on the sofa, and fell asleep.

And talk about nothing they did, as Persis led Asha back to his home. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, noticing Aarni's shoes by the front as he did so. He glanced around and let out a small sigh of relief when he saw the boy sleeping. At least he seemed to be in good condition. "I will start cooking now... you should rest, Miss Asha," Persis quietly told her and stepped further inside. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 @Twig | Seki / Aarni (if you wanna add anything or just keep having aarni sleep that's fine lol)

1

"I think I'm going to just head to bed for tonight. I'm not feeling hungry." Asha said and took her sandals off. "Mm. Goodnight, Persis." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis didn't look back at Asha, simply nodding as he continued prepping. "Very well. Good night," he replied to her. "Feel free to use any of the rooms down the hall." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thanks." Asha replied simply and walked off down the hallway, choosing whatever door was far from where Aarni was. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Night and morning came by the same as usual for Persis. He had heard someone leave early, but knowing the two people currently in his home, it most likely was Asha. He wondered where she could be going at this time, but didn't go out to stop her. If she wanted to come back, he'd be there as usual. Instead, Persis got ready for his morning gardening, getting dressed and washing up. He let Aarni sleep in, pulling a blanket over the young man before quietly exiting his home. When it got closer to the afternoon again, Persis came back inside, sweaty and a more weary than usual. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Sleeping was definitely the best thing to do here. Aarni had the most restful, best sleeps in a long time, and he only had good dreams. He was with his friends, with his horse, and everything was fine and normal, like nothing weird or bad had happened at all. He didn't want to wake up. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Noticing that Aarni was still asleep by noon, Persis decided it would be best to check up on the boy. Gently, Persis shook Aarni's shoulder. "Young Aarni?" He asked, a little worried. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

The dream faded softly, and Aarni grunted in reply to the voice that demanded his attention. He opened his eyes sluggishly and peered up a little cross-eyed, blinkin. "Mmgh... Persis...?" he mumbled, recognizing the shape and voice of the man, though his vision was still blurry. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis smiled a bit as he saw Aarni stir. "Mhm, it is I. Are you alright, young Aarni? It is already noon.." He replied and moved away to give Aarni some space. "You came home before Miss Asha and I.. did you find anything in town?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni hummed, not replying at first. He looked around the room, and slowly sat up. His happy mood from the dream drained away when he noticed where he was and remembered everything. He let his feet down to the floor, rubbed his eyes and sighed softly. "'M fine..." he said in a low voice. "I went to the temple. I couldn't hear from Albanes, but I did find out that the people here don't know that she's the current Lifebringer. They think it's still Yeonaixho." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He waited patiently as Aarni woke up and gently took the blanket he had put on Aarni to fold. "Ah.. Perhaps in this world, we are not at the point of the new Lifebringer yet? Sort of like your world, young Aarni," Persis suggested with a small shrug. "Though, if it is Yeonaixho.. why does no one here seem to recognize him? Miss Asha said the man who is The Hermit has that name.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I guess", Aarni shrugged. "I asked the priest if he had a picture of the Lifebringer, and he showed me the same picture of him I've seen before. I haven't seen the man Asha told about but I asked if the priest thought he looked like Yeonaixho, and he said he hadn't met him either. He apparently doesn't go to the services, which is kinda funny, if he is the Lifebringer.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed at the information and placed the folded blanket back into the closet. "I see. Well, I doubt Miss Asha is mistaken with who she says the Hermit is.. but I wonder why no one else seems to know who he is, but they all know the Lifebringer," Persis commented. "Miss Asha and I found some ruins, and she believed there were depictions of the Lifebringer and it's different hosts there. I am not sure, but the way she explained it, it seemed to make sense." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That's true... people do have religion and history classes at school, so I'm sure they've seen the same picture of him as well. Maybe nobody just hasn't taken a good look on him? The priest did tell that the Lifebringer has been on a vacation for decades now and nobody knows where he is, though." Aarni stretched, and listened to what Persis told about the investigations. "Hmm? That's.. interesting. I don't know if it will be useful information, but it is interesting. How many incarnations were there?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shrugged, unsure. "Miss Asha seemed pretty adamant about it. Regardless, the Hermit very obviously to me is not aware of his own person, let alone anything beyond that," he sighed. "And I am not too certain with the amount either. I saw about four, including what seemed to be the first incarnation, if Miss Asha's guess is correct. I am.. still a bit confused on this whole 'God' thing, but it is important to this town." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, hm. I mean Albs had pretty mixed feelings about him, and in a world that thinks Juno is still the current Lifebringer it might be a problem if he knew he is the one. She has probably made him forget everything on purpose." "I see. I wonder if Juno and Albs are in there, or if the ruins are older than that", Aarni mused. He took a deep breath, cracked his neck, and looked out of a window with a distant gaze. "...I wonder what I should do now. I think I'll go to a prayer thing in the temple this evening and try contacting Albanes again. Not sure what to do before that", he scratched a seam on his thigh. The riding trousers he was wearing were thick and tight; not the most comfortable to sleep in, and he probably had imprints from the seams in his skin by now. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Persis listened to Aarni talk with a thoughtful expression. He wondered why this Albanes would take and alter their memories, but even that mere thought caused a strain behind Persis' eyes, so he stopped trying to think about it anymore. Instead, he focused more so on Aarni's next topic. "Well, for starters, we should get you some fresh pair of clothes. Those pants your wearing seem quite snug to be relaxing in," Persis commented with a small smile, and gestured for Aarni to get up and follow him. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni glanced at Persis, and then at his own garments. Hm, he was right, he felt pretty uncomfortable in them by now. Let alone they were somewhat out-of-place outside the stables. "Um, okay, thanks, Persis." He stood up, and followed the man, still a bit wobbly after waking up. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Persis led Aarni down the hallway and to the end where his own room was located. Everything was neatly tidied, but there were barely any personal touches to the room besides the occasional clothing item hanging on the wall. Persis went to his dresser and pulled out a couple pieces of clothing, all neutral and brown in color. "You are a little taller than I am, but I always have to size up when I buy clothes, so these should fit you fine, young Aarni," Persis commented as he held the clothes to Aarni. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni looked at the clothes Persis was offering and took them with a nod. "Okay, they look like they could fit alright, thanks." He held the trousers against his front to see where the ankles reached. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded and faintly smiled at the young man. "Mhm. Go ahead and change. I will be out in the kitchen. We can discuss what else to do afterwards," Persis replied and walked back out the room to give Aarni some privacy. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded and started changing into Persis' clothes. It felt great to get his tight pants off; the seams did indeed leave marks behind. Once he had the new clothes on, he felt lighter, cleaner, and more comfortable. He took his own clothes and left them in his room, before going to the kitchen. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske (edited)

Persis was in the middle of cooking breakfast, a pot of tea already made on the dinging table. Hearing Aarni come in, Persis turned to him and smiled. "Oh, this brings back memories," Persis commented as he saw Aarni wearing his clothes. "Go on and sit down. The pancakes are almost done." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni looked at Persis, and couldn't help but smile a bit at his comment. "Okay. Smells good", he said and sat down at the table. "Where's Asha?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis flipped another pancake onto a plate and shrugged. "I am not sure. I heard her leave early this morning, so I assume she is making an attempt to search on her own now," Persis replied. "I think she believes she is better off doing this her own way. So.. I did not stop her. I have a feeling she will not be coming back here either," he sighed as he handed Aarni a plate of food. It was filled with pancakes, fresh berries, and some sausages. "Picked the fruit this morning from my own bushes. They are the best," Persis winked. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Her own way?" Aarni cocked an eyebrow. "Oh? Huh... Well, I.. hope everyone will stay safe", he hummed. He looked at the full plate, and felt his mouth water even though he wasn't particularly hungry. "Wow, thanks, Persis", he smiled. "Man, you're helping so much. I hope I'm not a burden." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded as he set his own plate down to eat with Aarni. "Yes. I agree. I simply hope Miss Asha stays safe as well," he replied. "And do not be silly, young Aarni. You are never a burden in my home. You are lost, and I hope I can help you figure out your way. In fact, I rather enjoy having the company. Maybe it is my age, but I grow rather lonely on my own on the farm." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni smiled. "Okay, thank you. I guess I get that too. Do you have any animals here at the farm?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded. "Mhm. Just a few. Just a couple of cows for milk and a few chickens for eggs," Persis replied as he started to eat. "I know you said you wanted to try and go out to the service today, would you mind if I join you, young Aarni? I have been in this town for a few months now, but I have yet to venture to their mass. Maybe it is about time I do so.."

5:21 PM

@Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh that's nice. Maybe you should also get a cat or dog for company?" Aarni chuckled. He started eating as well, and listened to Persis. "Mmhm? Yeah, of course! I'm sure they'd like to have you there as well. Oh, by the way, I told the priest you're my friend's dad and I'm on a vacation and staying at your place. And that my friend is coming here as well, later. I didn't tell too much, since I didn't really want to come up with lies, and that's basically true." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You know, I have thought about getting a dog. Young Kallum used to have a few and I always thought it would be nice to have one of my own. I was too busy with my knight duties back then to care for one, but I have a lot more free time now," Persis nodded. He ate a few more bites of his food as Aarni spoke, and he gave the young man a nod. "Ah, that works, yes. I mean, it is true no matter the context. Young Kallum I formally adopted after Varian and I married." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"He did?" Aarni's face brightened. That made him happy to hear. "Mhm, that's nice to hear. I'm a bit worried how he'll behave here if he loses. Though, since he won our match, it's probably gonna take a while till he gets here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded. "That is correct. Young Kallum was rather fond of his pets, and they helped with his therapy a lot. It was nice to see him so invested in something that was not the Guardians," he replied, a fond yet distant smile on his face. "I hope for his sake, he can stay where he is. It seems like neither your or Miss Asha wish to be here, so I hope young Kallum does not come either.." Persis sighed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"That does sound nice", Aarni smiled softly. "He's not much better off where he is, I'm afraid", Aarni sighed, and continued to eat his breakfast. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile fell a bit at that and he settled his fork down on his plate for a moment. "..Perhaps not, but you and Miss Asha seem eager to leave, so I do not wish this place upon anyone else, despite how much I may want to see someone like young Kallum again," he sighed. "I miss my children. They are all so busy, they do not write or call me much these days. I sometimes wonder if they have forgotten me.." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni paused for a while, and then ate in silence. He pondered what to say, and how to say it. "I'm sure you'll see them someday. And none of your kids would forget you. There's something in the way if they can't contact you", he finally said. "And Kallum, yeah, I hope he'll be alright. Maybe he finds someone nice who can help him..." He was quiet for a moment again, before continuing: "...I don't know if I can leave. Asha has another afterlife she belongs to, but I don't know if there's anything for me outside of here. Being brought back to life would be one way out, but I don't know if that's even possible." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Usually, Persis wouldn't lay down such woes with someone as young as Aarni, but perhaps there was a slight crack in the man's demeaner due to recent events. Seeing Aarni again, especially at this age, made Persis nostalgic. It felt like such a long time ago, yet no time at all. "I hope that is the case, young Aarni... I apologize for just dropping that on you. I should not have," Persis sighed and started to eat again as well. "I wish I could help more... I do not even know where to go from here if the temple does not pan out for us later. The world where you come from is where you need to go from here, young Aarni. What lies beyond that time is something you should not need to worry about just yet." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"No, it's fine", Aarni smiled a little. "Thank you, Persis. You're already helping a lot. I'd probably still be lying down on that field if you hadn't picked me up", he laughed dryly. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis managed a slightly bigger smile at that and nodded. "I am sure you would of picked yourself back up eventually, young Aarni. You are determined and strong like that," he reassured him. "Was there anything else of note when you went out of town today, by the way? Besides the temple?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shrugged. "Not really. Everything seemed normal, just a rural town and some fields and mountains. It's really calm and nice looking out here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Well, that I agree with," Persis chuckled as he finished his food. "It is one of the reasons why I chose to come all the way out here. It is similar to Laputa in a way.. but much more on the old-country charming side. Laputa does not have much land to buy anymore, so coming out here was the only way I could get such a space to myself," Persis explained. "Once you are finished, shall we head out to the temple, young Aarni?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I see, so that's why", Aarni nodded. That's how Persis had explained it to himself. "Yeah, I'm all finished now. We can head out." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis smiled a bit and took both their plates to the sink, quickly washing everything before heading to the door. "Would you like a coat, young Aarni? It gets quite chilly once sundown starts around here," Persis asked him as they prepared to head on out. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni shook his head as he followed Persis to the door. "I like when it gets cooler. But if you have any shoes that might fit me, I could borrow those. These are the only ones I have", Aarni nudged his tall riding boots with his foot. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded, taking a look at Aarni's feet for a moment before turning to the closet by the door. He rummaged inside for a few seconds before pulling out a pair of black walking shoes. "I believe these should suffice. If I remember correctly, we wore a similar size, though my feet are a bit wider at the toe," he replied as he handed the shoes over to Aarni. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded with a smile. "Awesome, thanks again." He took the shoes and put them on. They fit well enough. "Great, good to go." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Returning home, Persis flicked on the lights and looked back over to Aarni. "..I know this is a lot right now, young Aarni. So, until we can figure things out, you are more than welcomed to stay here with me. I do not expect you to work or anything here, so feel free to come and go as you wish, alright?" @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarne was quiet all the way back, and was hanging his head low as he followed Persis into the house. He looked up when the man spoke. "Thank you Persis, you are the best. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here. I don't have money or anything with me." He left his shoes next to the door, and went to sit on the sofa, quietly sighing. "I don't know what to do next, though..." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis exhaled through his nose and followed Aarni to the sofa once his own shoes were off. "Well, I do not think you need to know right away. That is one of the good things about life. You are able to do whatever you wish," Persis faintly smiled and he reached into his pocket for something. He pulled out what looked like an old and worn wallet, and handed Aarni a small bag of what seemed to be coins. "This is the currency they use around here, Lyra. That's about $20 worth in the bag. Feel free to use it when you go around town, young Aarni." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni let out a hollow chuckle. Life, huh? Yeah... He looked up when Persis spoke again, and looked at the money pouch. Then he looked at the man. "Oh no, I can't take your money too! You already let me live and eat here, that's more than enough, really." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persris chuckled and continued to gesture the bag towards Aarni. "Please, young Aarni, I insist. Young folk need to be out and about, get a lunch or two while doing so. It really is no trouble to me. I would rather you have something in case you need it," he replied with a soft smile. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni still seemed hesitant, but after a moment of hesitation, he reluctantly took the bag. "Okay.. thanks, Persis. You really are spoiling me rotten", he managed a small smile. He put the money bag in his pocket, and sat back for a moment. "Hmm... I guess I could go to sleep. I can't do anything in the dark anyway. Maybe I'll try to see if there's any new people here tomorrow. I wonder what Asha's doing..." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I happen to like spoiling my proteges," Persis said with a warm smile and sat down beside Aarni. "Some rest will be good. I am uncertain where Miss Asha has gone to, but with how determined she is, I am sure she is still out there trying to solve the issue you all are having," he sighed. "I am going to go to bed as well.. If you need me, you know where to find me, young Aarni. Goodnight," Persis said as he stood back up and ruffled Aarni's hair. "No need to tell me if you decide to leave and go about. Trust you will always have a plate of food and a warm bed waiting regardless." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni smiled a bit more, and hummed with agreement. "Alright... Goodnight, Persis." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Goodnight, young Aarni. Sweet dreams," Persis bid farewell and headed down the hall with quiet steps. He hoped Aarni would plan to stick around longer, but if the boy wanted to go off on his own like Asha, Persis would understand. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded, and soon after left for his room and went to bed.

Persis brought Madelyn back to his house, opening the door with one hand before setting Madelyn down on the couch. He quickly got a blanket to wrap around her shoulders, then sat beside her, gently rubbing Madelyn's back. "Sweetheart, can you hear me..? It is alright now. You are safe." Persis voice was exactly the same as Madelyn would remember, stable and warm. Familiar and fatherly like he always was with Madelyn. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn was quick to curl in on herself as soon as Persis set her down. If she wasn't wearing her gauntlets, it would be clear she was gripping on to the blanket tight enough to make her knuckles white. "N-no I'm not-" Madelyn shook her head. "M-my powers don't work and and- I feel wrong. Th-this doesn't happen to me!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

@Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis frowned as he listened to Madelyn, but he continued to rub her back. "Breathe, Madelyn.. breathe," he quietly tells her. This was always the first step for her panic attacks. "One.. two.." Persis instructed. "I am here.. focus on where you are right now. You are in my home. It is safe and warm, and I am right here with you." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

She tried to follow the counting, and just breathe, but so much was going through her mind. Melinoe was absolutely no help, and rested in her heart like nothing was even wrong. It should have been doing something, anything.. She should want to break something or yell at Persis about how he let her down on his death bed, but all she could think about was how weak and vulnerable she was here. If Albanes was placing everyone's souls here because she could do that with her Lifebringer powers, were her parents here? The ones that experimented on her? What would she do now? She couldn't fight them- she was even weaker than she was when she was a child. She moved one hand off of the blanket and moved it over her heart, where she pounded against her chest plate a few times. That failed to rouse the worm. "B-but Dad you- we're all dead, y-you've been dead for so long.." Madelyn weakly shook her head as she leaned in to Persis. "A-Albanes put us in here she- sh-she w-went back on e-everything we worked for.. she's the Lifebringer n-now.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

It was a good sign to Persis that Madelyn was trying her best to follow his breathing, but he knew it would only do so much. He found it odd that she hit her own chest, worried she may of been injured under her armor, but figured it must of been something else. Madelyn would of told him if she was hurt. Persis held Madelyn with a sturdy and warm hold as she leaned into his chest, and he shifted slightly so he could better cradle her. There was that name again. 'Albanes'. Just who was that? The Lifebringer too... No matter how Persis racked his brain, he didn't know what any of that meant. "Sweetheart, you are okay here.. breathe and we will talk more once you are settled, okay?" He offered to her. "I know you are experiencing a lot of strange things right now, and a lot of things do not make sense.. but I promise you, I am here with you. Things will be okay." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn nodded, and fell silent as she tried to control her breathing. She knew speaking all her worries was not going to help at the moment, not when Melinoe didn't feel like doing anything about it.. While Persis was here, he'd keep her safe from anyone. He'd always been there to do that before. If her parents were here, he'd probably already have taken care of them, right? Or.. Maybe he could even redeem them, somehow. He had that effect on people. .. And he didn't know about what happened after his death. So he couldn't be mad about that. Madelyn was finally calming down and had her eyes half shut as she leaned against Persis' chest.. But out of the corner of her eye, she spotting something. A dark stain on his skin. She was instantly crying again, and moved both her hands up to cover her face. Why had Albanes kept that? Just to make her feel bad? She healed up all of her injuries, but just had to leave Persis scarred? "I-i'm sorry.. I-i couldn't s-save you.. I-i tried, so hard.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Relief washed over Persis as he saw Madelyn calm down, but that lasted a grand total of 30 seconds before she was crying again. He rubbed her back, frowning. "Save me..? Sweetheart, you do not need to save me from anything. I am just fine," he gently reassured her. "Really, I am okay. I am more worried about you... how long have you been out here? Did you get lost trying to get to my house? You could of just called me. I would of met you outside of town," he replied. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"N-no the rot- the rot on your chest.." Madelyn shook her head. What was Persis even talking about? Calling him? "Dad how- I- y-you've been dead for hundreds of y-years.. I couldn't call you... I d-didn't even live very l-long after you died anyway.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' brows scrunched up at that and he sat a bit straighter. "Rot..?" He repeated, glancing down at his chest with clear confusion. "Madelyn, baby.. I do not understand what you are talking about. I saw you only half a year ago. You and the rest of your siblings saw me off after I retired. Do you not remember?" Persis frowned. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Don't you feel it? It's- it's visible! I-it's on your chest- I'm sure its spreading again." Madelyn said. WHAT WAS GOING ON? "No that's- that- you didn't retire! Y-you w-worked yourself to death a-and I had to watch you die a-and I basically killed myself trying to save you! Don't you remember?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

That feeling of wrongness returned to Persis' gut and he slowly pulled away from Madelyn to look over her. "N-No.. I do not feel anything of the sort, sweetheart. I am just fine, really," he insisted. Persis' expression became a bit tense as Madelyn continued, a mixture of confusion and anxiety. "I—N-No, no, I do not remember anything like that, Madelyn. Please, settle down. Start from the beginning. I think there is some sort of misunderstanding going on.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn looked just how he had the last time he'd seen her- which was a bit odd actually, since she usually changed her appearance up at least twice a year.. And it had supposedly been half a year since he saw her.. Madelyn moved her wet, tear stained hands from her face and grabbed on to him as he moved away. "I-i told you- you died.. You missed dinner and I ran over as fast as I could, a-and you were collapsed on the floor of your office. That rot had gone e-everywhere all over you- I tried to take it but it was too much for even me and- and- i-it hurt Melinoe. I-it gave you a few extra seconds to live but-" Madelyn sobbed again, and leaned forward until the top of her head was against Persis' chest. "Y-you didn't talk to me.. y-you talked to Kian. And you gave him your powers and I-.. i-i felt like you hated me.. I was so scared e-everyone was going to turn on me after you died.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Everything was just like he remembered. Madelyn's short green hair, her chest plate and armor that he had given her on the day of her graduation—with all of the same little nooks and scratches, even the way Madelyn cried to him was all the same. Yet, what she spoke of was unknown to Persis. Not a single word that came out for her mouth meant anything to him. He was worried, of course, but mostly confused. Asha was a stranger. Her words didn't mean much to him, but they matched up to what young Aarni said as well. Aarni was someone Persis trusted, and someone he respected. Now, his baby, Madelyn, comes home crying about the same things. It didn't make sense, but it was all too much to be a coincidence. Trying to think any more of it, however, made Persis wince. Trying to cover up the pain, Persis wrapped his arms around Madelyn and softly placed a kiss on her head. "I could never hate you, Madelyn. You are my daughter, and I love you. Nothing is going to change that," he quietly reassured. "I know everything seems wrong and scary, but that is the one thing that will always be true..." "...But I am sorry. I still cannot remember any of what you are speaking of. I.. I did not have any powers in the knighthood. I had nothing to give young Prince Kian.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Why did Albanes do this? One thing was making Persis think that he was merely retired- but why make him forget his powers? His powers that he used to support the whole kingdom? Is it because his powers are what got him killed? Well her powers are why she died as well.. And she locked them away from her.. "D-do you remember my powers..?" Madelyn asked quietly. "Albanes'..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

A sense of recognition returned to Persis' eyes as Madelyn spoke, and he nodded. "You had your powers over your toxins.. I.. I do not know who this 'Albanes' is, however. Young Aarni is here as well, and he spoke of the same name.. but I do not have a clue who that is," he replied. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

So he knew about her powers.. Weird. "Do you remember Melinoe..?" Madelyn asked. "And- And- wait- you don't remember Albanes? Like my wife, Albanes? D-do you just remember me being single forever..?" To be fair, from any oblivious outsider's perspective, it was harder to imagine Madelyn married than her single... @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis thought for a moment, before slowly nodding his head. "Yes... you never had much luck in the romantic realm, from what I recall," Persis replied. "But yes, I remember Melinoe. How could I forget the creature I named?" He said with a half-smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Albanes did all of this, and also made her seem like she got no game... She couldn't have replaced Persis' memory of her with some other woman..? Writing herself of of their entire life.. That seemed so difficult. "I-i don't.. Understand why Albanes made you forget certain things and remember others.. it doesn't make sense." Madelyn sighed. ".. I don't know why she did any of this.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis shook his head, a small frown forming on his lips. "I am.. not sure of much these past couple of days. Young Aarni suddenly appeared and said similar things to you.. then Miss Asha came as well. No matter how much I try, I simply do not know what you are all talking about.." Persis sighed. He stared down at Madelyn for a moment before shaking his head. "..How about we drink something warm? I can make some chai—Just the way you like it," he offered with a warm smile. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Aarni.. When had she seen him- oh yeah, when Naiyta burnt him on the pyre. Whatever, it seemed like Persis wasn't going to get it. If Melinoe was functioning correctly, she would keep pushing the subject, but she didn't see any reason to keep fighting this particular battle.. "Chai would be.. good.." Madelyn slowly nodded. Man, she hadn't had that in a while. Obviously she hadn't eaten or drank anything in a while, but even before she died, she was basically running on coffee and field rations. Didn't feel much of a need to spend time cooking, she'd rather be out in the jungle.. "C-can I make it with you..? You don't have to worry about me poisoning the food anymore." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile widened a bit and he nodded. "Of course, sweetheart. Can you stand..?" He asked as he offered a hand to Madelyn and stood. "I even have these little cute mugs we can use. Guess what they have painted on them..?" He paused, "..little frogs!" Persis beamed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn grabbed his hand and stood up, surprisingly stable on her feet. Without her powers, she wasn't... Mushy. "Y-you painted little frog mugs..?" Madelyn asked, smiling back just a bit. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Mhm. I thought you would enjoy them when you would come and visit me eventually," Persis replied as he lead Madelyn into the kitchen. "I also painted some mugs with cats, dogs, and horses... but I made sure the frog ones were green and purple," he chuckled. Persis eventually let go of Madelyn's hand and went over to his cupboards, grabbing the needed materials to make the chai. "The mugs will be right above the sink, if you want to grab them while I get the ingredients out." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. That was very nice of you.." Madelyn said. As soon as Persis separated from her, she felt her anxiety spike again. Her heart raced as she watched him merely walk from her side to the cupboards. "S-sure I'll- I'll grab those.." She slowly stepped over to the sink, and looked wearily out of the window. They were enough out of the way that she couldn't really see anything from here.. "Dad I have a.. R-really weird question to ask.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"I made cups for everyone. You have so much free time once you retire," Persis chuckled from inside his pantry. He took a step out once he heard Madelyn's question and nodded, a few different bags in his arms. "Of course, baby. What is it? I am sure it cannot be much weirder than some other questions you have asked before," Persis lightheartedly teased. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Are.. Are my parents here?" Madelyn asked as she kept scrutinizing the grass outside the window. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' smile fell as he heard Madelyn's question and he placed the items in his hands down on the counter. He walked over to her and gently put his hand on her shoulder. "No, Madelyn. It is just me," Persis reassured. It definitely was an odd question, but if Madelyn thought she was dead, then maybe it wasn't that strange. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn initially flinched away from his hand, but soon leaned in to him again. ".. it's just you..?" Madelyn asked. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis knew Madelyn would most likely flinch, so he wasn't offended when she did. "Just me," he nodded and gave her shoulder a small squeeze. "Well, that I know of, anyway. There are the other villagers in this town, but they are all native to this region. The only notable outsiders seem to be me and.. well, perhaps maybe one other, but that is all." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Okay, so there were other people here. Wasn't just Persis. "There's someone else from outside of here?" Madelyn asked. Who else did Albanes like a whole lot.. MacKenzie, maybe? She had some knight friends within the healer faction.. Aarni..? But he got burned up. Kallum and Sadihak were out in the tournament, along with someone who seemed like Enzo. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Well, it was just me and the other fellow until a couple days ago... When you all started to appear," Persis sighed and walked back to the items he placed on the counter. "The other outsider before you all is the man the people here call 'The Hermit'. He seems to have amnesia of the sort, a bit odd, but harmless. He is blind, so I am a little worried about him living alone on the outskirts of the town, but it seems like the village folk have already tried helping him, but he refuses their service," Persis explained. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn grabbed the mugs and set them down on to the counter. "The hermit.." Madelyn said back skeptically. "Has Aarni come to.. Visit at all? Or someone named Asha, or Levi, or anything like that..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis nodded. "Yes, young Aarni has been staying here ever since I found him. Miss Asha and I met, and she stayed for a night, but she went out on her own ever since. I do not know who 'Levi' is, however... Now you are here too. Seems like strange things are just going to keep happening," he sighed as he started prepping a sauce pan. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. There's a few others I'd expect to be here too. I don't know how Albanes got them here.. or why she bothered.." Madelyn mumbled and took the mugs over toward Persis. "How long have you been here by yourself..?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis didn't have much to comment about the first half of Madelyn's words. Still no clue who Albanes was or what connection she had to all of this. He simply shrugged and continued making their tea. "I have been here for a little over half a year. Everyone back home was too busy with their lives back in Laputa to come follow me, but Varian is making his way to me soon. He just has to finish up some things with young Daxton and young Kallum before so." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn set the mugs down and paused, making just a bit of a face. "Is Kallum going to be here too?" She kind of knew the answer to that.. If Kallum got put on that pyre he would be.. and it wasn't even her Kallum! And he was nasty! ".. If Kallum shows up I don't want him here. He doesn't even know that I exist." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Surprisingly, Persis chuckled at Madelyn's response. "Some things never change between you two, hm? I thought maybe after all these years, you two would of at least grown to a common ground.. but I suppose not," Persis smiled. "Young Kallum is your brother, whether you like it or not, sweetheart. It became official twenty-three years ago when Varian and I married. So, yes, as it may.. if young Kallum decides to visit, he is going to be staying here. I made sure to get a home with enough space for everyone if you thought to visit." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Kallum would need a house on the other side of town to be at an appropriate distance.. Twenty three years ago.. it was so much longer than that.. "I don't feel safe with him around if I don't have my own powers. He'll hurt me." Madelyn said and stepped closer to Persis. "And I talked to him just- just a few days ago. He literally doesn't remember me. And he's dating a weirdo freak. I don't even think they're dating but-" Madelyn's face went red. "H-he's just being nasty! And gross!" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis sighed and gently rubbed Madelyn's arm as he poured some milk into the sauce pan. "If what you are saying is true, as what young Aarni said, then I believe that anyone sent here for the next few days will not have their powers... so I would be more worried about you tackling young Kallum," Persis replied, which was more likely to occur if they didn't have powers. "...But I wonder why he says he doesn't know who you are. Well, now that I think of it, young Aarni also mentioned that fact. The young Kallum he met didn't know him either, apparently.. I am not sure. This whole situation is.. confusing," Persis frowned, slowly mixing the milk with the masala. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

"I wouldn't tackle him." Madelyn huffed slightly. Even without Melinoe, she fucking hated Kallum. Seems like they agreed on that. "He's going to be an instigator and annoy me. And he won't leave me alone. He'll just keep being annoying forever." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"And then you would attack him," Persis concluded with a small fond smile. Even though Madelyn was annoyed by the idea, it was a sort of fresh air to Persis. It was familiar to him--Madelyn's and Kallum's distaste for one another. "Young Kallum always had the same complaints, you know? I think that simply makes you more sibling-like." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"I don't care what Kallum said about me. I just don't want to see him. If he shows up here, he can't stay at this house." Madelyn crossed her arms. Stuck for eternity in an afterlife with no powers and Kallum. This was the bad place. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Again, Persis chuckled and he finished up making their tea. "Well, this brings back memories. Perhaps we can build another home for one of you then. I have plenty of land to spare for another building," he replied and poured the tea into their respective mugs. "...I appreciate you visiting, sweetheart. I have quite missed talking to you," Persis said with a soft smile as he handed Madelyn her cup. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱 (edited)

".. Kallum will be the one moving out.." Madelyn grumbled and kept her arms crossed for a moment even after Persis held out the mug. She eventually look it and blew on it to help cool it down. ".. I missed you too. It's been a long time- much longer for me than you realize.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis wasn't sure if he should feel happy or sad at that statement. He quietly drank his chai, contemplating over some of the things that had happened to him the past couple of days. "Well, I am happy to hear I was missed," Persis settles with a lighthearted smile. "I would ask how everyone back home is doing... but I suppose you are not quite sure either." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Seeing as its been four hundred years, they're not doing anything. I don't remember most of the time, but it's not like any of us were immortal.." She sighed, and took a small sip. "Last I knew that evil horse was still alive though." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You mean Ron?" Persis chuckled a little, conveniently not commenting on the first half of Madelyn's response. "Ron is a special horse only the queen can handle... I am not sure what they are going to do about him once she can no longer care for him." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Hm. Judging by how its been so long, Varian was likely never coming. Nor Opal, or Aeva, or any of their kids, or Kallum- unless that not-Kallum gets sent here.. Maybe Albanes hadn't managed to get their souls? She couldn't imagine why she would leave them out.. So Persis would just be waiting here for an eternity for his husband to show up. Even if she wasn't a huge fan of Varian, that was still a bit Cruel.. And she would be stuck here too. Forever. Unchanging- forced to stay like this forever... Her grip tightened on her mug, shaking the liquid inside and making it get ever close to spilling. "I- I want to cut my hair. Or do- something. I need to change it up." Madelyn said and put the mug down on the counter. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis raised a brow by the sudden response, but he didn't seem against what Madelyn wanted. "Oh, I am sure I could cut it for you, sweetheart. How short do you want it this time?" He smiled as he spoke. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Well I don't have much left to work with, so just buzz it off. Like how short the sides are but everywhere." Madelyn said. "I-is there a mirror in here?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Everywhere..? Are you trying for the bald look now, baby?" Persis asked as he gestured for Madelyn to follow him down the hallway. "There is one in my bathroom. My razor is also there, so we can cut your hair there as well," he replied and let Madelyn into his room. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"It wouldn't be bald- just buzzed. Short." Madelyn said. She had never tried a full buzzcut, she usually liked her hair to look wild and untamed. But her short hair seemed to be falling flat without her powers. She stepped in and looked around for the bathroom, not really caring to snoop around Persis' room too much. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Well, even if Madelyn didn't snoop, she would of noticed some interesting pieces in Persis' room. The several framed photos Persis' had of his family and Opal's were displayed throughout the walls and his desk, as well as some photos of other knights both Persis and Madelyn knew in life. There were a few vases of flowers too, blue roses, red spider lilies, amaryllis, desert roses, saguaro flowers, white and yellow daisies, hydrangeas, yellow lilies, and even oleander. Madelyn would recognize them as flowers given to Persis during his funeral. When Persis died, so did all of his flowers. Opal had the idea to give Persis the same kind of flowers he had given all of them during life. The photos too--All placed into Persis' grave when he was buried. "Oh, so just more of the undercut, understood," Persis replied from inside the bathroom. He went through a drawer before smiling at Madelyn. "Alright, baby. Come sit on the stool and I will get right to it." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

God. Of course Albanes would place that stuff here. Did Persis even understand what it meant? What that was all from? It felt cruel to decorate his room with the things he was buried with.. Those things he was supposed to rot and return to the earth with. But instead they were stuck here, unchanging. Those flowers didn't grow here. Did they not rot either? They just stayed here, fresh, for months? How awful. All of this was awful. She wiped her eyes with her palm and headed in to the bathroom, not wanting to look at all of those memories at the moment. She sat on the stool and glanced up at herself in the mirror, glaring at who she saw. Someone so painfully stagnant and weak. This wasn't where she belonged. She also didn't have her epic frog contacts here, so her eyes looked normal for once. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed a familiar tune as he put a little hair cutting cape around Madelyn's shoulders. He was blissfully unaware of the true meaning of any of the items in his room and focused all of his attention on Madelyn. He let down her hair and gently began to comb through it. "When was the last time I cut your hair, sweetheart? I feel like it has been some time," Persis commented as he combed. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. A very long time.." Madelyn mumbled after some time of staring at her reflection. She finally looked away from herself and chose to look down at her feet. "I haven't been able to do anything to it in a real long time either. This will be the first thing to change in a while." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Really? I remember you changing your hair at least every six months," Persis lightly chuckled as he put down the comb and plugged in the razor. He grabbed a mist spray from the counter and gently spritz some onto the back of Madelyn's head. "How has your research been since I have been away, sweetheart? What was that last project you were working on again... Conservation work on the native cave frogs near Fadenia?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn instinctively flinched a bit at the water, but it seemed to have no effect on her here. What had she been working on before Persis died? She knew saying "Well I went to travel after you died and then I died" would get her absolutely nowhere. "Um.. Partially, yeah. And I went to that meeting about the expansion project in Blugerite. They were gonna flatten out a stretch of brackish wetland that has some unique species in it. So I went to complain about it." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis hummed, combing out Madelyn's hair now that is was damp. He cut off the more difficult parts of Madelyn's hair, before finally turning on the razor. "That's my girl. Always on top of conservation work," Persis smiled as he kissed the top of Madelyn's head. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Yeah.. Who do you think is doing it now that I'm gone?" Madelyn asked. That was a question she had genuinely had for a while. It's not like she had ever had any students (for more than a week), or any coworkers... It had always been just her, fighting all her own battles. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis carefully shaved around Madelyn's head, making sure it was even and straight all around. "Hmm. If you are taking some time off to be here, Sir Aric is most likely the one who picked it up. Perhaps he regulated it to one of his students, though. There were a few promising ones he was training." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Aric... Madelyn huffed a bit. "Just because Aric can talk to the animals doesn't make him qualified to do my work. Or train anyone to do it." Madelyn grumbled and crossed her arms under the cape. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis let out a breath of a laugh as he turned off the razor. "Honey, you and I both know Sir Aric is good at his job, regardless of your personal opinions on him. I am sure he is capable of finding someone with the same passion and skill as you to complete your tasks and much more," Persis reassured her. "Regardless.. I am done. How does it look?" Persis asked, redirecting the conversation to Madelyn's now shaved head.

11:11 AM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

No, Aric would never be as good as her at her job. And she didn't need animal talking to do it either! She looked back to the mirror and turned her head a few times. ".. I like it. Thank you." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis smiled and pressed another kiss to Madelyn's temple. "I am happy you think so. It suits you, I think," Persis nodded. "Do you want to change out of your armor, sweetheart? I think I may have some of your old clothes in my boxes somewhere.." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No, I want to keep the armor on.." Madelyn shook her head. ".. I-I'm scared without my powers. I don't want to be even more vulnerable." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis gave Madelyn a worried look and he gently squeezed her shoulder. "There is nothing to be afraid of here, sweetheart. It is perfectly safe. You can even ask young Aarni when he comes back. It is just a normal town with normal people living here." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"No if- if we're here, and Aarni too, then.. It's possible my parents could be here. And Kallum could show up any time.." Madelyn shook her head. "The armor's not coming off, not until I-I can get my powers working again.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis sighed through his nose and gently patted Madelyn's back. "Very well. Whatever makes you feel most comfortable," Persis nodded and cleaned up the shaved hair clippings into a small dustpan. He was quiet as he moved about, unsure what else to say. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Madelyn sat and scrutinized her unchanging appearance in the mirror as Persis cleaned up. Slowly, her hand moved over her chest plate, over Melinoe. She felt so alone. She didn't even know how Melinoe was faring. Alive, and keeping her body in one piece, but not communicating at all. It was scary, to not have the thing that had always been there for her, protecting her. Melinoe had been her closest friend, a sibling, and in some ways her third parent. And she had never even bothered naming it, Persis did. That's how much of an extension of herself that she saw Melinoe as. You can't have Maddy without Melinoe. The creature was too integral to her personality and entire being. So who was this person she saw in the mirror? Something that was Albanes' ideal version of her? A girl so entirely defanged that she only shared a slight resemblance with the real thing? Maddy, but tolerable? Did Albanes really hate her that much, the entire time? All along, was she just waiting to rid the world of her filth, just like the Lifebringer had said it would all those years ago? Because it had succeeded. She leaned over herself with both hands gripping uselessly on to the metal. (Suicidal thoughts tw) "Dad, I wish I c-could just stop existing.. I don't like- I can't stand b-being here like this.." @ajjjjjjjj (edited)

Almost the exact opposite of Madelyn, Persis strangely felt close to nothing about his current situation. He was happy. Happy his daughter came to visit (the circumstances don't even matter to him, strangely). Happy that even Aarni came (again, the circumstances only bother him slightly. They were odd, but they were negligent.) Everything that Persis was, deemed down to only what he needed to be. A happy, kind, and optimistic father. Finished with the cleaning, he turned his attention back to Madelyn, a frown forming on his lips once more. "Oh, sweetheart.." Persis moved to Madelyn and gently hugged her to his chest again. "I know things are difficult and strange.. I am worried about it all too.. but I promise you, and I mean it, I will be here for you through it all. I am happy you are here. I love you," Persis reassured. "It is okay to be afraid... you have gone through many tough situations before. We will get through this together again. You will see." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

This place was just wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. Shouldn't Persis have been more upset? Why didn't he seem to care that they were dead? He couldn't even accept that as a possibility! The wrongness of this all made her feel sick, for just a moment, before the feeling faded. She wanted to be mad, but she couldn't be. All she could feel was a pit in her stomach and heart. ".. I-i know you'll be here.." Madelyn said quietly. ".. but I don't think I can be happy. I don't think I'm a kind of person that can ever be truly happy.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' hold of Madelyn grew a tad bit tighter and he exhaled through his nose. "I thought we were happy," Persis commented with an even voice. "Even with our issues and problems... I thought when you smiled with me during dinner, in your own home surrounded by your frogs.. I felt happy. Did you not feel the same?" He asked her.

8:40 PM

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"..." Madelyn breathed deeply as well, and fell silent for a time. ".. I don't know. I can't tell what was me and what was Melinoe. I don't know what to do without it talking to me.." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis bent down to one knee in front of Madelyn and gently held her hands in his. Every feature from the nook to his brow to the way his eyes wrinkled as he smiled was the same as Madelyn would remember. "Melinoe is a part of you.. I understand it is difficult to distinguish between yourselves sometimes.. but to me, you are both my daughters in your own unique ways. I think when you are happy.. Melinoe shares that joy, and when you are sad, Melinoe tries to halfen that sadness." His smile wrinkles his skin a bit more and Persis stands back up. "Even if you cannot hear Melinoe for now, I am sure she is doing her best to support you. You should rest knowing that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

The front door opened and closed. Aarni's voice greeted Persis from the hall, and soon soft footsteps made their way to Aarni's room.

Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis bent down to one knee in front of Madelyn and gently held her hands in his. Every feature from the nook to his brow to the way his eyes wrinkled as he smiled was the same as Madelyn would remember. "Melinoe is a part of you.. I understand it is difficult to distinguish between yourselves sometimes.. but to me, you are both my daughters in your own unique ways. I think when you are happy.. Melinoe shares that joy, and when you are sad, Melinoe tries to halfen that sadness." His smile wrinkles his skin a bit more and Persis stands back up. "Even if you cannot hear Melinoe for now, I am sure she is doing her best to support you. You should rest knowing that." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

@Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Th-thank you, Dad.. I'm- I'm r-really trying to think through everything.." Madelyn said, tightening her grip on Persis' hands. Her hands felt surprisingly solid, which he would be able to tell even through his gloves. "A-and you will keep me safe, if my parents show up here?" She squinted for a moment as she heard Aarni. Hm, been a while.. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis slightly turned his head towards the sound of the door opening and Aarni's voice, but figured he was simply back from his outing and turned back to Madelyn. "Yes, of course, sweetheart," Persis reassured and pressed a gentle kiss to Madelyn's temple. "I will always protect you. I promised you that the moment you came into my care, did I not?" @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. You did. But I figured if I had to, I'd always be able to defend myself.. I can't do that here." Madelyn said. ".. I know this is- really weird, but.. Could I sleep in your bed tonight? I don't want to be by myself overnight.." Well, that was certainly something she would never ask during life. She'd probably rather drop dead than look that vulnerable. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

@Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

While Madelyn found the request weird, Persis' found it rather adorable. He chuckled, nodding his head. "Of course, sweetheart. It is not strange at all, do not worry," Persis replied and pressed another reassuring kiss to Madelyn's forehead. "I just washed the sheets the other day, so they are all nice and comfy. If you want any extra pillows or comforters, there are some in my closet as well. So make yourself comfortable." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

"Thank you.." Madelyn said quietly and stood up. "I'll go clean up the chai stuff from earlier, then I think I'm ready for bed." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Very well. I will go fetch a couple of those extra pillows and comforters while you do that then. There are also a couple extra toothbrushes, towels, and hairbrushes in all of the bathrooms if you want to wash up afterwards," Persis replied. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

".. Mhm. I don't think I'll shower tonight, maybe tomorrow.." Maddy said. She held Persis' hand for just a moment, before leaving the room. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Alright. You know where to find me if you need something before bed," he smiled as he watched Madelyn leave. He stepped towards his closet, humming to himself as he searched for those pillows and blankets. @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

As Persis began gathering bedding, a soft, golden light began forming in the corner of the room. It was unnatural, mystical- it was divine. As the strange light took more and more of a human shape, Persis would begin to feel a horrible, splitting headache. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

At first, Persis hadn't noticed the light, too busy in his search. However, seeing the shadows it created grow, he raised a brow and turned his head, wincing as the familiar pain in his head returned. He fell onto one knee and held half his face in his hand. "W-What..? W-Who is there?" Persis asked in a strangled voice. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Through the pain, things were becoming clear. It was as if a fog, a fog Persis had never realized he was seeing through, was lifting. Everything became clear. The light was taking human form- human form that was becoming more and more and more familiar- and he was remembering. He was remembering it all. He even remembered dying. The pain, and the light, faded gradually, and Albanes stood, in all her Lifebringer finery, in the middle of his bedroom. "Persis." She said, as if surprised to even see him- to even be there. "It's.... it's been a while, hasn't it..." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

There was a little commotion from the kitchen, but Maddy did not come back to Persis.

It was everything all at once. The pain, the light, the memories. It all came rushing back like a broken and cracked faucet. Pieces dripped into that puddle of memories, filling in the spaces and cracks that Albanes had created in the first place. Persis closed his eyes, his brows furrowing and his hand slowly fell from his face. He stumbled trying to stand, having to grab onto his nearby dresser to pull himself up. That softer tone, the slight waver of pitch... he had heard that voice for over twenty years of his life. "Y-Young Albanes..?" Persis strained as he stood with a shaky stance. He stared at her, taking in all of what Albanes was now. Even at a glance, Persis could tell Albanes wasn't the same as he remembered her. He couldn't get another word out, too stunned at their entire situation. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

There was an etherality to Albanes- an otherworldliness that was hard to pinpoint. She was both unreal and too real for the world around her. Everything about her seemed to shimmer and hum. She nodded slowly. "... Yes. It's me. Though... I don't think the title 'young' suits me as well anymore." At Persis's stumble, she moved forward in caution. "Here, sit down." Albanes guided Persis from the dresser and to the bed. "I'm sorry I took your memories. I had to, to keep you and everyone else here safe." @Mads | Roman 🥁 Asha 🎆 ? 🪱

Persis didn't resist as Albanes moved him about. He didn't have much of the strength to. As he sat down in bed, his hand gently grabbed onto Albanes, as if to help Persis confirmed this was indeed the person he thought it was. He stared up at her holy form, uncertainty hiding under the familiar warmth of his eyes. He didn't seem angry or upset, even after remembering everything. "...How long has it been, young Albanes?" Persis quietly asked, bypassing what else she had to say. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes held Persis in a reassuringly steady embrace. She glanced away at his question, afraid to reveal the answer yet. "... it's been about four-hundred and fifty years now. Since you and Maddy have been dead." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Gently, Persis reached up to Albanes, cupping her cheek to get a better look of her. "You... seem tired, young Albanes," he quietly observes with a worried frown. Four hundred years, and Persis' first worry was still Albanes' well-being. "Have you been sleeping well? Taking care of yourself? I have... heard many of things about you from young Aarni and Madelyn." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs (edited)

Albanes closed her eyes, and leaned into Persis's touch. "It's... not been easy. Being... all alone. It's so different now." And it was her fault. Could she really grieve what she had thrown away? "What have they told you? About me?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis gestures for Albanes to sit down on the bed with him and scoots a bit over for her. "I see... they tell me you are the Lifebringer now," Persis replied slowly, his expression concerned and confused. "...Which I do not understand. It.. does not make sense to me, young Albanes. All of this." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes sat down next to Persis, instinctively leaning on his shoulder. "It's true. I'm the Lifebringer now. I took it back after you and Maddy died." She worked her hands together. "I.... don't understand why I did it, either. It felt like the only thing I could do." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

He frowns deeply as he listens to Albanes. Hearing her confirm it herself was painful, in more ways than Persis ever thought it would. His hand finds Albanes' back and he gently rubbed it in a soothing motion—Very much like how he used to all those years ago. He's quiet at first. Taking the time to process everything now that he had all of the pieces. "It must of been lonely, all these years. I am sorry, sweetheart," Persis settles on. "...Madelyn told me she did not live very long after I had passed. Did.. you two at least live happily together before then?" The knight already somewhat knew the answer to his question, but he wanted to hear the answer from Albanes herself. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes is trembling, but her body is warm. She leaned into Persis's embrace as much as she could, savoring the familiar embrace she hadn't felt in so long. She shook her head slightly. "After your death... Madelyn didn't take it well. I felt it was my responsibility to take care of her, to be the strong one now that you were gone...." She let out a sigh. "When she died too, I broke. I couldn't handle it anymore. That's... how come I ended up here." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' hold was strong and warm. Even in death, he held Albanes with care. "It sounds like you two had a hard time after I left.. I am sorry. I never thought-" Persis sighed, his body sinking deeper into the sheets underneath them. "..I never thought I would leave the way I did. I am sorry I just left. There was so much more I wanted to do and say with you both," he admitted with a somber expression. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

(Maddy: but you told Kian didn't you

)

1

Albanes hummed in heavy understanding. "I don't think... I don't think anyone really anticipates death. It's what makes it so cruel." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis frowned. His body felt heavier with his mind more awake and aware. It was baffling to him that he was so ignorant just moments ago. "Right... you always were so adjusted to all of that, were you not, young Albanes," Persis says rather than asks, and gently presses a kiss to Albanes' temple. "...Are you willing to tell me why you brought us here? And why you took our memories of you, young Albanes?" He carefully asks. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes closed her eyes, and sighed heavily. "I was just trying to keep you all safe. To keep you in a place no more harm could come to you." Her voice was weak, pleading. "And.... I took your memories because I was ashamed. I didn't want you to see what I had become." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis gently brushed his hand through Albanes' bangs, tucking some loose strands behind her ear. "You have kept us all here, safe and sound, young Albanes... thank you," Persis said with a softened voice. "...But I think it is time to let us go," Persis frowned. "I know it must be lonely, being the entity you are now, but.. Keeping us here will simply make it harder to move on. Impossible, even." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes leaned into the touch. "I can't," she pleaded, her voice almost a whisper, almost a sob. "How can I let go? You're all I have left. Please. Please let me keep you safe here. I can give you anything you want. But I can't let you go. Please." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Tenderly, Persis moved to hold both of Albanes' hands in his own. Calloused hands were protected by an all familiar metal gauntlet, yet they still held the same warmth and care that Albanes would of known—Would of recognized even in the darkest of shadows. Persis hurt for Albanes. He wished to ease the pain in her heart and to will it all away, but he knew the ache in her chest could only be relieved by her own doing. This was a pain no surgery could erase. "Sweetheart.. what is left in me is what you hold in here," Persis quietly said, gesturing to Albanes' heart. "And what you hold in your memory. What I want is for you and our loved ones to rest peacefully. To not be disturbed any further. The people I met here... they are your family too, are they not? They deserve to rest. Not be held in a world that is believed to be their best." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes's hands were rough with age, pockmarked with acid scars that hadn't been there when Persis knew her in life. "If I let go of you... then I'm letting go of myself. I don't know who I am without those I love. I don't know how to let go without losing everything. I don't want to change, Persis. I'm so afraid of changing into something I don't recognize." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

One hand reaches up to cup Albanes' cheek. Persis looked over her olden features and a sad frown crossed his lips. "Oh, sweetheart..." Persis didn't have the heart to tell Albanes she had already changed. He knew that she already knew that. This was the last attempt to keep hold onto whatever was left. Persis could understand in a way. "It is okay to change... we all do." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"But to change so much I'm no longer myself?" She asked. "Persis- I can't follow in the steps of my predecessors. I can't become Juno." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' finger grazes over Albanes' cheek, gentle and warm. "And how do you define yourself, young Albanes? By how different you are from him? Or by who you are by yourself?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... I don't know. Not anymore. Every day I feel less and less like the person I once was. Every day I become less of Albanes and more of the Lifebringer." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"Then is that not change?" Persis asks. "It is scary and different... but even if you do not want it, change will come, young Albanes. To fight against it... you will only hurt for longer." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It hurts to let go of what I once had." Albanes leaned into Persis, resting her head against his shoulder. "Am I cursed to live the rest of my life in grief? To always be mourning? It hurts, Persis. It hurts so much." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis' hand gently brushed over Albanes' cheek and he sighed. "It will only hurt for a little while, but letting go will be the only way, sweetheart. I am sad to see you like this—Living in something that is not real anymore," Persis softly spoke. "Do you wish to live in this lie forever? In the pain of what used to be? Young Aarni and Madelyn are unhappy here too, and are sadden to see what you are doing to others. It is okay to let go, young Albanes." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I don't know if I can let go." She worked her hands together. "I don't know if... if I can do what I'd have to do to let go. I don't think I'm strong enough to. I don't want to be alone." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

"You will not be alone, young Albanes," Persis reassured her with a gentle nudge. "Those you love, you carry forever. When you think of them, it brings you strength. It is okay to not be sure... but you have to keep going. I know you are strong, young Albanes... I know because I have been there with you through some of your toughest times, and I have seen you come out stronger and better than before." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's not the same." Albanes sighed. "It's never the same. Even this... facsimile of life is closer than memory alone. I can't keep going with just my memory. I don't want to keep going with just my memories. Persis- I don't want to be stronger. I just want to be happy." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis sighed, his expression falling a bit. "There is no happiness in a falsehood, young Albanes," he says slowly and starts to pull away from the Lifebringer. "I was happy when you and Madelyn came to Laputa. I was happy when I was able to live with my family, raising my children and having someone who loved me dearly. Those are moments of happiness I carry with me. No matter what happens, those things happened, and they are real. To try and create a fake sense of happiness.. Young Albanes, does that not just sadden you more?" Persis asks. He then moves over towards a framed photo on his desk, a picture of Albanes' and Madelyn's wedding day. He gently picked the photo up in his hand and smiled fondly at the memory. "...I truly do just want the best for you, young Albanes--always have. This time is no different. You know that, yes? Does this... make you happy?" Persis asked, gesturing to their general vicinity. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes clung onto Persis, but let him leave her embrace. She listened as he spoke, every word seeming to pain her like a stab through the heart. "Persis... I can't let go. Even physically- there are things here that I cannot let go of yet. I'm- I'm really sorry, but that's the way it has to be. I'm sorry." She looked away, not wanting to bear the burden of the memory. "I... I don't think you know what's best for me anymore. I don't think I know. Persis, I'm the Lifebringer now. No matter how much I've tried not to... I've changed." @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

A sad chuckle escaped Persis' lips, and he looked back down at the photo in his hands. "Oh, young Albanes... I do not think I ever knew for certain what was the best for you.. for anyone, really. I only did what I thought would help you. What I thought would bring that happiness you were seeking," Persis admitted and shelved the frame back onto his desk. "Change can bring bad, but it also brings good. Like you, and Madelyn, and young Aarni... you all were a change in my life for the better, and I would never have it any other way... but all change changes again. It is a cycle of rebirth. I know you have always known that cycle better than anyone, young Albanes," he hummed and started to walk towards another photo. It was a photo of himself and Varian, old and tired. "...There is only one way to stop that cycle, and we both know what it is, young Albanes. You deserve to rest. We all deserve to rest." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes let out a deep and heavy sigh. Her hand went to her wedding ring- worn not on her finger but on a chain around her neck. "I can't. I wish I could, but I can't." She shut her eyes. "I'm the Lifebringer now. I exist in a state antithetical to change, to mortality. I'm not supposed to grow. To rest. To change. I can't die. How can anything be reborn if it stands still for the rest of eternity? Persis, what am I supposed to do?" @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

For a moment, there was silence. Persis stared at the framed photo of his husband and him, debating on what to say. If it had been as long as Albanes had said, Varian was dead now too. It was strange, to acknowledge you were no longer apart of the living. In a way, death was immortality too. Funny how that worked. "I met a strange man while living here, young Albanes," Persis suddenly starts and moves past the photo. "A man with kind eyes and a soft smile. He lives right on the outskirt of the town, alone and in a withered home... I recognize your father, and your mother–your brothers too. I have never met them in life, but you all share a resemblance only family could have. You never had children of your own, so you may not understand this, but when you do, they start to resemble you." He stops in front of a photo of Daxton, Cody, and Kallum. "I see Varian's determination and strength in our boys... His kindness especially in Daxton. His stubbornness especially in Kallum," Persis said with a fond smile, before moving on. He stops at another photo, one of Kian and his sisters. "Kian has his mothers' smile, and Opal's humor. All of his sisters get their strength from her too." He stares at the photo for a bit longer before hanging his head, his shoulders feeling heavy. Persis finally turns back to Albanes, slowly walking up to the Lifebringer. "After meeting that man, and regaining my memories... I see a bit of him in you as well, young Albanes," Persis said as he gently cupped her cheek once more. "You know what you have to do, young Albanes. You knew the moment you took on that torch from that man. I knew too—That you would always have this difficulty in change. I knew, because there is a bit of myself in you too. All children bear the burden of their parents, and he passed on the Lifebringer to you so he may rest. I know it will be difficult to accept the burden handed to you, because I spent my whole life with you knowing that man gave you something too heavy to carry. I am sorry, young Albanes, but this is something you must decide to do alone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

3

Albanes trembled as Persis began to speak, especially as he began to speak of Yeonaixho. She looked away from him- out of something between shame and fear. "Please- please, Persis, you can't tell him who he is. He really, really can't know who he is. I'm not just saying that- he can't know. Please-" She cut herself off as he began to say more. She wrapped her hands around her body as Persis approached, but let him cup her cheek. As he did, his palm grazed the gold piercing jewelry that signified her godhood. "Was it always such a foregone conclusion?" She whispered. "Tell me, Persis, that I wasn't always doomed to go down this path. Tell me there's some version of me that got to die happily, after a life well lived, instead of living forever in grief. Tell me this isn't all I have." Warm, wet tears began to roll down her face. "I don't want this! I don't want any of this! I can't continue the cycle. I can't do to another person what he did to me. I can't be that cruel. I can't even become the good Lifebringer he wanted me to be, because I can't follow through with what I need to do. I can't continue the chain. I can't take his soul and turn it into part of mine. Persis, he was like a father to me! I can't eat him!" As her crying peaked, she moved away from Persis entirely, getting up from the bed. "I- I need to go. I can't stay here." She moved towards the door, not giving Persis the chance to follow her. @Aj | Invo + Ryunoske

Persis didn't follow. He knew Albanes didn't want him to. He knew, because there was a part of him in her too. "We can never escape the sins of our fathers... I am sorry, young Albanes," Persis says, just loud enough so Albanes could hear him. "Be careful. I love you, sweetheart." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Aarni loved sleeping here, but something had stirred him from the lovely dreams he had been having. He lied awake in his bed, trying to figure out what had awaken him, since the night was quiet. Still, there was something in the air that felt different, something that made his heart beat faster and a lump appear in his throat. The longer he listened, the better he started to make out the sounds in the house. Someone was talking with Persis, it seemed. They spoke quietly, and he couldn't hear the words, but somehow he recognized the other voice. He froze, denying the possibility. It couldn't be her. Why would she be here, now? Regardless, he stood up, and slowly waked to the door. He listened, and his breath caught in his throat when he heard her. He opened the door quietly, and stepped in the door frame, looking towards the end of the hallway, where Persis' room was, and his heart was pounding. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes emerged from Persis's room after a bit. She looked almost exactly the same as she had the last time Aarni had seen her- but there was a strange ethereality to her, a divinity in the way she walked, she moved. There was no denying she was a God now- but in the sorrow in her eyes, there was no denying she was Albanes. "Aarni-" She Said, as she saw him, and approached him as quickly as she could. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni's eyes widened when he saw her, and almost immediately his eyes started stinging from tears. "Alb-Albs..." he stuttered. She didn't abandon him, she didn't. She was here. Aarni felt a rush of relief and joy so strong that he quailed. He took a step into the hallway but had to stop when his legs almost gave out. "You're here, you didn't leave me..." he mumbled quietly, not even sure if he meant her to hear him. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes took Aarni's hands in her own, caressing them with reassuring warmth in stability. "I'm here. I would never leave you. I can't stay here long, like this- but I'm here now." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni let out a shaky sigh, closing his hands around Albanes' and looking at her. Was this real or was he still asleep?` "Albs, I was so scared..." he whispered. As he said this, he remembered his first hours in the fold, the discussions with Asha, and the church, the reasons why he was scared, and his teary eyes narrowed. "Where were you?" he asked, a hint of accusation in his tone, but mostly it was filled with hurt. "I tried to talk to you, I was confused and you didn't answer me, I thought you left me here alone, that you didn't care about me anymore...!" He held Albanes' hands tighter, the tears threatening to fall. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can't be here very long. It's the nature of the fold that I cannot exist within it, or my presence will begin to tear it apart. An immortal is not supposed to exist within the land of the dead." Albanes tried to explain. "I wish I could've come see you- but I couldn't without endangering you in the process. I'm sorry. But I never would've abandoned you. You're safe here. I promise." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni looked at Albanes sadly. He could reason that Albanes was telling the truth, and nodded slightly. "Why did you take our powers away?" he asked, in a softer, more confused tone. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I didn't take them. They just... can't manifest here in the same way." Albanes sighed. "It's not my doing... it's just the way the fold is." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh, okay... but why didn't Persis remember having them? Why didn't he remember you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... had to take his memories. To keep him safe during his time here." Albanes said vaguely. "He remembers now." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh...? But you didn't take mine?" Aarni hummed. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's... different with you. With... everything Naiyta's doing." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Oh..." Aarni frowned slightly. "What... is it doing? What's wrong with the Fold? Why does it mess with you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

Albanes took in a heavy breath. "There's... something I'm keeping here that Naiyta wants to take out of the Fold. But I can't let it in, because I don't know what it would do with all the souls here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni blinked, and looked at Albanes closer. Did she... steal something from Naiyta? Honestly, based, but was it worth this all? "And.. you can't just give it back, right?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I can't." Albanes shook her head. "It's... too important to me." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Then, how will this end...?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"I... don't know." Albanes confessed. "I can only hope Naiyta will just give up." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni nodded slower, with a concerned frown. He was quiet for a moment, eyes searching Albanes'. She sounded like she had cornered herself, and wished to only outlive the conflict. But if Naiyta was going to continue what it was doing, many more people would die because of it. He didn't know how to help, but it felt like Albanes needed it. "Oh, Albs.. Asha wants to go to her afterlife. She wants to be where for when her family pass away. I don't remember who her god is, but um, can you somehow arrange her transfer there? It would be important to her." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"... I can get her to the right afterlife, if she's willing to tell me what it is. But... only once all this is more resolved." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"Yeah, I bet you have a lot of other things to do right now. I wish I could help with that. It's not fair that you have to do everything alone." @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's probably for the best. You don't deserve to be dragged into all this Lifebringer mess." She sighed. @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni let out a huff and looked at Albanes with a slightly furrowed brow and a faint smile. "I think I already got dragged in... I don't have anything to lose anyway, and I'd want to resolve this as fast as possible, to stop more people ending up here. But it doesn't matter, since I can't do anything." He sighed. "...Anyway I... don't know if you could hear me, but I want to thank you for saving my soul. Even though I feel like I don't belong here, I... wasn't ready to just disappear. So thank you. It was nice to meet Persis too", he smiled slightly brighter. @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

@innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"Aarni, you have a lot to lose. Trust me." Albanes held his hands tightly. "It's better if you stay less involved." "I... can't really sense specifics when I'm out of the fold...But... you're welcome. I never would've thought not to keep you safe." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

Aarni frowned slightly. "I wish you didn't hide things from me..." "...But... if you leave now, we can't talk again anymore?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

"It's safer for you this way." Albanes restated. "I... can't stay here, Aarni. As much as I would like to, the longer I stay, the more dangerous it gets for me to be here." @Twig | Seki / Aarni

"I... appreciate you wanting to protect me, but, I also want to protect you", Aarni stressed. "I don't want to put you in danger... but is there any more direct way to communicate with you?" @innsjo | kyrie🪶+ darcy🖋+npcs

... Even sometime after Albanes had left, Madelyn hadn't come out of her hiding place. The things from under the kitchen sink cabinet were all shoved out haphazardly around the door. If you listened in closely, you could hear a light clink of metal and increasingly rapid, panicked, breaths.

sienades comes to visit

aarni comes home

asha's here now

a name losers fight

what is going on here?

coming back home

persis and aarni

madelyn comes home

how you wish it could be all the time

i love you, i miss you, i'm sorry

madelyn :(