What You Take With You part II: Reflections In The Fog

[unpocoloco]

Who: All those on the What You Take With You mission and everyone else (who OOCly wishes to join in)
What: An important artifact is brought back only to immedaitely activate. Further details are here.
When: November 10th
Where: Daybreak Campus and around Soliel
Warning: Warn in headers as appropriate

On November 10th the recovery team sent into the Outlands makes their return with the obsidian mirror. Thus far it hasn't seemed any different than any other obsidian mirror, nothing spectacular about it beyond its age and where it came from. But Daybreak was only called to retrieve it, not anything more. The spell is worked to open the path between the Outlands and Daybreak, allowing them back. But as this happens, the mists rise up as they often do when the two worlds intersect. The team might even see it ghosting over the mirror before catching their own reflections in it. A light flashes over its surface and in that instant, the mirror activates.

Just one look in any reflective surface throughout Soliel-- a mirror, a window, a bit still water-- and people will be struck with sudden dizziness, a feeling of being knocked back, and then darkness. You'll find, on waking, a dark and desolate landscape full of smoke and fog. It'll be hard to tell where one is going. You won't be alone. People all over the academy have been brought into this vision. You may run into them, but even more likely, you'll run into the spots of color that cut through the fog.

And dwelling with this color? Why it's you. But better. Or maybe, much, much worse. It seems the mirror has something to show you. But is that something a promise? Or a threat...? Learn its lesson and you may escape both the shadowy realm and a terrible fate in your future. What image will you leave on the world?

Comments

[fireindreams]

[He lets the man take it. There's something there that Alderic doesn't know but feels familiar. For a little while he wondered if the child was Héctor's, but there were far too many differences.

And a feeling of love and loss he just cannot shake.]

I don't know much, actually. [But he returns the handshake.] There's some memories but they're really blurry. But he wrote this letter for me and it talks about you and everyone else. And Daybreak.

[Nothing about himself. Bar meeting Grimm for a minute, there was nothing about the man. Or vampire? That's apparently what Alderic was too? It's a little confusing.

But not unwelcome. Not at all.]

[unpocoloco]

Does it?

[Grimm wrote of him. And Grimm was not Alderic, but was.

The man is lost. What he needs is something to ground him, not more questions and swimming out to see. But he's got to ask.]

Alderic... do you know what happened to Grimm? And to this child, here, in the picture?

[He passes that drawing back.]

[fireindreams]

I don't. We talked a little bit, here.

[He gestures towards the darkness around them. Alderic had found Grimm easily, to the point he has to wonder if the man wasn't just waiting for him from the start. He had the letter already but Grimm asked for a little more time in the darkness.

A little more time that benefits Alderic alone.]

The letter says the kid's safe and happy. But I don't know anything about Grimm himself. He didn't....I don't think he thought he was important enough to write about.

[He wrote that Alderic was a vampire now, and that he could go to Daybreak for help. And about his friends and that they could help too. But nothing about who Grimm was.]

[unpocoloco]

[I don't think he thought he was important enough to write about. He doesn't know much about Grimm. He doesn't know enough to determine whether that's the normal thought process for him or if it genuinely didn't cross his mind. But in the end, it doesn't matter. It's a statement that brings his expression to twist and he's got to look away from Alderic for a moment before he can get that under control.

Alderic had gestured to the fog. Grimm is still out there. But this is important right now.]

I'm going to shake him until bats fall out of his ears.

[The muttered statement isn't for Alderic but it sure is audible.]

I guess what I should be asking then is if you have any questions for me.

[fireindreams]

[Busted. Alderic came into existence knowing the contents of the letter and let Grimm read it when he requested. But he didn't seem surprised by the contents of it.

And maybe he didn't think it'd have this sort of reaction from people.]

I'm...um, sorry?

[Bats, though? Can't say he heard of that one.]

Oh...well, can you tell me about yourself? He goes into it here but I'd like to know more.

[He also wants to know about what he is. But that can wait. Perhaps the 'focusing on others' part is not unique to Grimm alone.]

[unpocoloco]

[He waves off the apology. Alderic isn't the one who should be apologizing anyway.

Nor is he, perhaps, the only one who ought to.]

If I'm being honest, I never told too much. To anyone, if I could help it.

[Just the little things, here and there, until something tumbled out without intention.]

You know my name. Héctor Rivera. My wife is from the Rivera mage family. They're known technically as necromancers but what they summon are guides of spirits-- no resurrections or things like that. Our daughter is a half mage. I was just ordinary.

I was a musician. Professionally. I wrote songs and sang and played them. Over a decade ago, I went on tour with a friend. I wound up in the outlands by accident. I'm not entirely human anymore.

I've been out for nearly two years, one on the street, and one taken in by Daybreak. I'm not here to save the world like the others. I'm here to learn what I can so I can go home to my daughter. She's what's pushed me on and got me this far.

I met Grimm at a party. He was talking to himself. I can see the dead now and I know that being stared at isn't the greatest. I thought I'd cover for him. But he might have told you that part.

That's... that's me, I guess.

[fireindreams]

[That's a lot. He did know Héctor's name from the letter and that he made Grimm's child pretty happy from playing with them. Yet Alderic pays rapid attention to what Héctor says because he wants to learn about Grimm's friends. They seem like really nice people from the letter and...he misses the company.

But his eyes go a little wide when Héctor says he can see the dead.]

...you can see the dead? Um, how long past can you...?

[Maybe...would it be asking too much from someone Alderic just met?]

[unpocoloco]

[He hasn't been at this very long. He only found out recently afterall. But he knows the tone already and he knows he's about to disappoint.

He shakes his head.]

I don't know. I don't think there's a limit. But they have to be around. I can't call them. Most spirits move on.

[fireindreams]

[It is a little disappointing, but it's not Héctor's fault.]

No, you're right. They probably did...but thanks for telling me. [Alderic bows, a touch more awkward then Grimm's fluid motions.]

Can you tell me about your family? They're really important to you, aren't they?

[unpocoloco]

[The awkwardness of the bow doesn't make him feel any less like he's being given more respect than he deserves.

He takes a breath.]

They're... everything to me. My whole world. I almost missed it. I got a chance that no one ever does. Between that and the two of them, I'm... the luckiest man in the world. No matter what happens.

My wife, Imelda, works as an RA here. She's incredible person. The kids look up to her-- and they're right to. She gives... a sense of home, even when it feels like everything is falling apart. And yet she's still so powerful. Not just summoning and magic but who she is.

And mi niñita, ay she's grown so much. My Coco. She had her quinceñera this year. I cried. Every picture of me dancing with her has me in tears. And what a dancer she is. All in secret learning every dance she could, teaching herself, taking every chance. She got same spark as her Mamá and a heart so big. She believed in me, even when there was no proof. She never hurt her Mamá, never. But she... she held on to me.

[He blinks fast and his head bows.]

Here I go, crying again. Dios, it doesn't stop.

If... if not for them. For her... I wouldn't be here at all.

[fireindreams]

[Alderic's smile is bright as Héctor starts talking about his family. A bright, beautiful pair of stars for him. Light. It was obvious just how much love he had for them simply by the way he speaks. If that didn't clue Alderic in, the fact he was in a place where there was apparently a lot of danger says enough, even if it's for his own ends.

It makes Alderic's heart ache with the regrets of the past. But he won't fault Héctor for it. Instead he shakes his head.]

It's okay to cry for the people you love. Even if it's because they make you so happy. Never regret it.

[He can't help but sound a little sad.]

Maybe I can meet them, sometime in the future. If...you like.

[Alderic is not Grimm. Not in the strictest sense. That was one thing Grimm had mentioned in his letter. He was himself, no matter what. Never let that blur.]

[unpocoloco]

[The way Alderic understands it is still true. He'd have stayed in the Outlands, wandered Europe, something. But it goes deeper than that.

He fixes a grateful (watery-eyed) smile on Alderic. But it soon slips. He takes a breath.]

I would like that. I'd like that very much.

But... I can't promise it. At least, not through myself. I face some complications. I may not... I may not be able to...

[For a long moment he falls quiet. Then he lifts his head and forces a smile.]

Find my wife, Imelda. If I can't take you to see home then she can. As incredible as she is, I think she could use a friend like you.

[fireindreams]

[He can fill in the blanks. That maybe, however far into the future Alderic might be, Héctor may not be around anymore.]

You don't have to force a smile, Héctor.

[Alderic does not have the same eerie perception that Grimm does, but Héctor's pretty easy to read regardless.]

When that time comes...do you want me to give her something or tell her anything? I can tell Grimm, and he can write it down for me.

[unpocoloco]

[Called out so directly like that, the smile fades. He can't even defend that it might be to help himself.

Without it, he doesn't have much defense at all. He seems to shrink on himself.]

I...I want her to know... that I loved her. That... there wasn't anything more she could do. And it's not her fault.

If that's what it comes to, I want Coco to know the truth. I want... I want her to know that, in all that time, she kept me going. She helped me do the impossible. And... I'll always be with her...

[He can't go on. His hand comes up to cover his face and he spends a few minutes just standing there, breath shuddering.

His voice cracks even after he's collected what he can.]

I really ought to to talk to Grimm. I haven't even told him anything. And now I'm leaving this all to you. Dios, I'm sorry. I do mean it about Imelda though, she'll appreciate the company, I think.

[fireindreams]

It's okay. I don't mind.

[He really doesn't. Taking the requests of the dead...it's strange but doesn't feel wrong.]

I'll make sure I'll tell her. And tell Grimm to write it don't so we don't forget. They'll both know how you felt.

[Even if Héctor tells Grimm himself, Alderic will do it anyway. Just so he knows it's important.]

And I'll keep her company too. Anyone can use a friend. But...do you want a hug?

[unpocoloco]

[It's what he would say, likely to spirits. It's alright, I understand. It twists in his heart.]

Thank you.

[He mutters that out before Alderic is even done. The offer he gets makes him laugh, a faint breathy sound filled with pain, but he smiles anyway.]

Yeah, I guess I do.

[A hug would be nice. He can never really protest one of those.]

[fireindreams]

[He goes for the hug then, gentle and not so tight Héctor can't get away. Alderic is not as tall as Grimm is - malnutrition doesn't really help the body grow. - but he's still good at hugs, if bony ones.]

I'm not going to try for fancy words. [He's not good at it like Grimm.] But I'm sure everyone will be with you 'til the end.

[They all sound like the kind of people who would.]

...a little cheesy, actually. [He laughs a little.] But I mean it.

[unpocoloco]

[Boney but good just so happens to be his own specialty, so that's something for the both of them. He hangs on just a little tighter like it'll hold him down here longer, even as he's afraid to make this stranger than it must be for Alderic.

He swallows hard to hear that. And then laughs too.]

I want that. I want that so bad.

[His breath hitches.]

I feel like such a selfish bastard for it. No one decent would force the people they love to watch that. But I don't want to die alone. Not again.

[fireindreams]

No...nobody does.

[It may be strange but it feels right. Even if Alderic doesn't share Grimm's memory, he never was one to leave someone who's clearly upset alone.

And-]

A long time ago, I...my house caught fire. I made it out but my parents didn't. I wanted to stay because I didn't want them to die alone, even if it meant I would die too. But they told me to go.

[So at least one person would live.]

It's not wrong on either side. To not want to die alone, to want to make sure nobody dies alone. Or being scared of it. But it's okay to feel that way.

[unpocoloco]

[It's weird too, to see the face of his friend and hear his voice and know it's not. But the kindness of strangers isn't a bad thing.

They confession still him. It settles, cold, in his heart and then twists.

And twists some more.]

They're... who you wanted me to find.

[It's not a question.]

The living come first. The living before the dead. The younger before the older. And with any parent, the child we love more than life before all.

They must have loved you. They must have loved you so much... I'm sorry.

[fireindreams]

[He has a feeling Grimm is going to have a lot to explain. The vampire didn't explain why he had to do whatever he did. Alderic could tell he didn't regret it but it's obvious he didn't say what it was to others.]

Yeah.

[They were. Alderic couldn't really remember all that happened that day. If he really had a chance to say good-bye.]

We all did. Love each other, I mean. But at the same time the kid loves their family and seeing them go...it's the same.

[It still hurts regardless.]

It'll hurt for your family to say good-bye to you. But it's a good kind of hurt. The kind that comes with love. So it'll be okay eventually.

[Not the day of. But someday.]

[unpocoloco]

[A lot to explain. He doesn't even know whether he ought to be angry, but if he should be, it won't be at Alderic. He'll find out. After. Later.

There's a man in mourning now, and he's mourning what will be from the other side. He hugs Alderic tighter for a moment.]

I hope so. [A good kind of hurt... he thinks he understands that.] I don't want to them to blame themselves. For any part of it.

I just want them to know... how much they mean to me.

[He pulls back a little, though he's far from composed.]

Thank you.

[fireindreams]

[He feels like an in-between. Of life and death, and perhaps maybe rebirth. Alderic doesn't know.

He doesn't mind though.]

I think they'll know. You're pretty good at getting it across.

[Through actions and words. Sometimes that's all you need.

Alderic returns the tight hug before laughing a little.]

No problem.