lifeaftr | Let's Go In The Garden

Who: Chara, Frisk, and you!
What: Two kids enjoy a classic tale, and a small child decides to intrude on everyone’s personal space.
When: November 13-15th
Where: Near the Storyteller’s Temple, and across the Islets
Warnings: Potential CW for self-harm in the third prompt.

You’ll Find Something Waiting -- 13th

[Just because it’s overcast doesn’t mean that today isn’t still warm. The greatest reprieve to the heat at the height of the day is the ocean breeze sweeping up across the beach and through the trees around the Storyteller’s Temple. It makes for a peaceful area to stop for a while- to sit and think, to wander, to nap. Undoubtedly, a few people would take advantage of this, over the course of the day

Those travelling to and from the islets may hear the voice of one such person relatively close to the mana pool. Their words seem almost practised, spoken in a tone that is almost caught up in what they have to say, almost reverent.]

Yuichi and I are climbing a ladder in the jet-black gloom. Together, we peer into the cauldron of hell. We stare into the bubbling red sea of fire, and the air hitting our faces is so hot it makes us reel…

[A curious person might decide to follow the voice. It wouldn’t take long. And in doing so, they’d come across two children, one reclining against a tree with a well-loved book in hand, carefully holding the pages. The child known as Kidwun continues to read aloud, whilst their Partner….

The child known as Kittu seems to have dozed off. Head in their sibling’s lap, they take no notice of anyone approaching.

Chara does. And whilst their eyes flick up from the pages of the book itself, they continue speaking- continue reading a story that, apparently, they don’t really need the book to read aloud, anymore.]

But the place we are in right now is just too dreadful. It is not a place where two people can make a life together.

Although I had been earnestly daydreaming until then, I suddenly started to laugh. “I see two lovers standing over the edge of the cauldron to hell. Are they contemplating a double suicide? This means their love will end in hell.”

I couldn’t stop laughing.

Right There Where You Left It -- 13 to the 15th

There’s a child with a mission, stalking across the island. Knocking on doors and approaching anyone who doesn’t quite belong in this realm. Not keen on talking with them? Tough, really. If anything, it’s those who seem to be going out of their way to step around them that Chara haunts the most, insistently dogging their heels until they give up, and deal with what the child has to say.

This is their time to shine, after all. Their time, to do what they do best.

“Forgive my intrusion, but may I steal a moment of your time? I would like to ask you a few questions.”

Ignore any signs they’re unwelcome in their continued endeavors to be as invasive as possible.

[[OOC: there’s a handy little OOC post for this; if you haven’t checked it out yet, please do, even if you’d like to thread a conversation!]]

Everything Stays, But It Still Changes -- early mornings, 13th to 15th

If the past six weeks have proven anything, it is that Chara has a weakness they can no longer ignore. Guzma has made mention of it. Connor has made mention of it. More than once, this gap of experience has nearly led to their doom… so perhaps it’s time to do something about it.

Sneaking away from their hut in the early morning, Chara chooses a section of beach that’s not too far from the Storyteller’s temple, but not too close. If they make a serious error, a call for help may still prove fortuitous… and hopefully, no one will stumble across them otherwise. For several minutes, Chara stands at the shoreline. Simply staring out at the waves as they lose themself in thought.

Then they make a face, and pull off their shoes. The knife strapped to their hip follows… and four more after it, stowed away in their pack and carefully hidden from view. The last, important piece? A heart-shaped locket, stowed away in their left shoe. Even if someone were to make their way into their pack without Chara noticing, they wouldn’t find that.

Heaven help them if they did.

And that is all the excuses they have to stall, before avoiding what they must do becomes innate procrastination. Expression still sour, the child steps into the waves, deeper and deeper. When the water reaches their chest, they stop, once again looking about carefully, just to ensure that absolutely no one is watching.

Hours later, they don’t really care. Flopping about in the waves, Chara is clearly making- an attempt at….something. Kicking off the ground and flailing their arms and legs, until they inevitably sink below the surface.

So anyway learning to swim unassisted is going Super Well.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Unlike Ignis, Chara is capable of watching the bracelet as the words form across it- small bumps and ridges for his fingers to read. His startled exclamation more than enough proof that-]

Excellent. It seems to be working perfectly.

[A bright smile.]

It was a rather simple request, actually. We simply advised the Storyteller that we required a device which would translate non-verbal communications. Thus, if I were to address you without the use of my voice-

[They raise their hands, finishing the sentence with the very language they're speaking of.]

you will know what is being said.

[They cannot quite communicate the c: that has arrested the attention and affections of others, nor does the u-shape of fingers held out above the lower half of their face have any meaning to a blind man, but they should hope that their contentment will communicate itself nonetheless.]

[It was a kind notion on the child's part, to be certain.]

The gem allows for the function. If it is damaged, it will need to be replaced.

[The kindness of the gesture is overwhelming. Ignis listens with both ears and then shaking fingertips as Kidwun and the Drifter--he can communicate with the Drifter now without relaying on a broken phone that's been ready to fall to pieces for far too long--explain how the bracelet works to him. However, even once they are done, Ignis doesn't break the silence. For once in his life, trained as he is in always knowing what to say when it needs to be said, he can't find the right words to express what he's feeling inside.

He bows his head slightly, turning it away from the two kind souls before him, fingers absently running over the gem as he swallows back the lump in his throat. He's not used to these kinds of gestures. Back home, he does what he does for the joy the act alone brings him; never has he been given something like this. Never...]

I...

[Ignis pauses blinking his right eye rapidly to push back the wetness there.]

How do I thank you for something like this?

By using it, obviously.

[Practical logic, if Chara does say so themself. Their tone is dry; one could almost take it as a joke, if only for how straightforward it is.] We wouldn't have done so if we didn't see a need for it; and in my case, I believe you are one of the more rational people available.

Those are few and far between. If I am capable of making it easier for you to offer guidance and assistance to others, I see no reason to ask for anything in turn.

[And should a time come where they need his help? He'll give it.

Seems like the perfect resolution to them.]

[Exactly, see?]

[It was mutually beneficial. They can communicate with one another without needing to rely on a child that may not wish to speak to two strangers. They could be wrong, but the particular phraseology of more rational might even be a compliment, on Kidwun's behalf.]

[That, in and of itself, is a welcome thing.]

Mutual benefits for all.

[...now to figure out how to translate a digital smile into sign language.]

Right.

[Ignis chuckles softly then, amused that he's being praised for being rational when he feels anything but at the moment. Still, that doesn't invalidate Kidwun's point.]

Yes, we work better when we can work as one. I promise you, I will do everything in my power to live up to the faith you've both put in me. I'm grateful beyond words that I've had the chance to meet you both.

[Digital smiles will just have to be the next upgrade.]

See that you do, sir. I am not in the market for gift giving often.

[Says the child who will spend four stories in a row on other people. Even so, they would be particularly displeased to see such a thing go to waste- if he doesn't utilize it to it's utmost, they're certain they could find someone else who will.]

[If the Drifter were one predisposed to skeptical side-eyes, the child would doubtless be receiving the equivalent of raised eyebrows right about now. They have only known Kidwun to be generous, or at least devoted to the ritual of the exchange.]

And to ensure no child must again translate for the pair of us. [An unfair and heavy burden to place on anyone's shoulders, isn't it?]

Then I will cherish it even more, both for its rarity and for the burden it removes from others.

[He looks up at them both in turn, right eye shining behind his sunglasses with excitement instead of tears this time.]

I wonder... Oh, I have so many ideas! The Storyteller is going to get tired of hearing from me.

[If they've learned anything about gods, their ability to cater to the creative mind is a boon that never gets old. That spark of inspiration in his eyes is one they have a mutual sense for, smile widening as they quietly nod their approval.]

I'd be most interested to see what you can come up with.

For the meantime, however, I believe you two may have a conversation long overdue.

[One where Ignis and the Drifter could simply talk, with little restraint.]

[A conversation along the lines of "I am very sorry that your first day here was so very awkward and inconsolably so, because it was my inability to speak to you directly that required the use of an unknown child to translate my speech for your sake" would, indeed, be an instinct they would happily indulge, despite covering that base a little earlier. They truly do owe the child an apology.]

[They issue it by text, to Kidwun, simultaneous to their addressing of Ignis.]

an apology to kittu is overdue for requiring their uses as translator

[Let it not be said they cannot multitask - for they do, easily.]

Speak freely. That is something this god seems to value.

[Ignis nods his agreement to the statement about the Storyteller, but he is oddly silent for several moments after that. He's always thought that Kidwun's name was odd, but considering he knows nothing of their world, he's said nothing about it. Now that he hears the other child referred to as 'Kittu' his mind--punny as it is--puts one and two together.

Aliases. Not true names. They can't be. But why?]

Indeed, an apology and a thanks. I've had no way to track them down since we parted ways. I would very much like to speak with them again. Perhaps we can all get together for a meal? I would be happy to cook for everyone.

[Plus, if he is lucky and the Storyteller kind, he might even be able to show Kidwun some of the improvements he has in mind then.]

Let's Go In The Garden

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sorry for the wait my dudes

no problemo

/thumbs up