EVENT: ORIGIN'S ORIGINS (Aftermingle)

[fairwind]

Who: everyone
When: Day 32, morning
Where: the clearing

[As the final session of exploring the town ends, it's getting close to dawn.

There's a break of about an hour, while the explorers return, licking their wounds. Then, a flash of dark, violet sparkles, and a petite young man with many many wings appears, standing atop the train.

Some of you have heard his voice before, speaking of justice in Trials. You might've heard about him, and how there's "something wrong with him", too. This is The Angel, and his wings are dyed a deep black, with feathers falling out in a sickly way. He doesn't look too pleased, but he also doesn't look like he's about to attack.]

So, you searched. What did you find out? I want to know if you really think this universe is worth saving.

If it's not... Then there's no point to your existence, is there?

[Well. He's not attacking yet, anyway. He is taking a moment to gesture at your deertaur companion though -- a wisp of black wind is pulled out of his mouth.]

I'll give you one chance.

[At least your dead companions are safe? They're waking up now in their rooms, none the worse for wear. But they remember dying, and they have a deep sense that they've seen a kind of void no person should ever look into.]

Comments

[awakenerd]

Crow. Don't just... Act like this doesn't affect you.

[bad_crowmance]

[ He sighs, probably into Rean's hair unless he's pulled away at this point. ]

Of course it affects me. But there's really not much to say about it.

[awakenerd]

[He's still holding onto him!]

Is that really what you think?

[bad_crowmance]

[ Well, he's definitely willing to have this entire conversation while Rean is holding onto him and Crow's patting his head. ]

Yes.

[ Yes. ]

It is what it is. I see it, I accept that it sucks, I'm ready to move on with the rest of the day.

[awakenerd]

Nmmrmgh.

[He's making a very discontent noise here!]

This isn't like losing a bet or stubbing your toe, Crow!

[bad_crowmance]

[ He hums out an agreement. ]

It's a little different.

[ It's a lot different. ]

[awakenerd]

More than a little!

It's not just that people were grief-stricken about it either. But you... pretending it's not a big deal doesn't make it not a big deal!

Maybe it's hypocritical of me to say this, but you shouldn't ignore your own feelings because they're inconvenient.

[bad_crowmance]

I'm not pretending it wasn't a big deal. But I am refusing to give it any power over me.

[ He pauses for a moment, considers that. ]

...Well, except to maybe be a little more cautious next time. But I'm sorry for upsetting you and everyone else.

1/2

[awakenerd]

Ugh...

I'm not trying to make you sorry for it.

[He pulls back enough to look at Crow.]

[awakenerd]

I just... Don't want you to die ever again. Second chances don't grow on trees. And it bothers me that you're flippant about when I know it bothers you too.

But I'm not going to make you talk about it right now. Not if you don't want to. Just know I'm here if you ever do.

A lot of people here love you, you know.

1/2

[bad_crowmance]

[ "Second chances don't grow on trees."

But... He already knew that, right? And neither do third chances. At what point does he push his luck too far and Cardamom can't bring him back anymore? At what point does the clock on borrowed time stop? ]

[bad_crowmance]

Heh. I know you are. I'll keep it in mind.

[ He will, but the likelihood he'll talk about it is next to nothing and he gets the feeling Rean already knows that. ]

And I'm definitely figuring that last part out.

[ "At the very least, you should be aware that your own attempts to keep others at arm's length won't keep you from being welcomed into their hearts. What you do with that is another matter."

Yeah, shut up Jusis. You were right. ]

[awakenerd]

[Yeah he knows what "keep that in mind" means.]

For a guy with such high self confidence you're kind of dense, huh?

[This. From Rean.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Look, self-confidence is easy. It's confidence in other people that comes harder for him. ]

Haha, that coming from you.. somehow I feel like I've really been insulted.

1/2

[awakenerd]

Hey....

[Rude!]

[awakenerd]

I'm serious. You're remarkably oblivious.

[bad_crowmance]

How do you figure that?

[awakenerd]

[Just. Gestures at Naeva and Eliza.]

I don't think we're the only ones who like you either, by far.

[bad_crowmance]

Haha... Guess I underestimated 'em.

[ That's putting it mildly. ]

[awakenerd]

You think? Put a little more faith in people liking you.

[bad_crowmance]

Yeah... I don't really have much of a choice now, do I?

[ It's not the worst thing. ]

[awakenerd]

Nope.

[Suffer being liked, Crow Armbrust!]

[bad_crowmance]

Well...

[ He closes his eyes and drops his face back into Rean's hair. ]

It's not the worst thing.

[awakenerd]

No. It's not.

[Hugging him tightly.]

[bad_crowmance]

[ Crow's returning the hug, maybe not quite as tightly but it's definitely a firm grip. It's nice and he needs it more than he's willing to admit out loud.

But then again, Rean can tell. ]

We should check out your hot springs in a bit.