Let there be, let there always be

[withoutasign]

Who: Signless and various campers
When: five days after drowning, early afternoon
Where: the Plaza
Style: action jackson
Status: semi-open to close CR; the video part is open to everyone!

Signless is dreaming. He's dreaming, and it's beautiful. He's surrounded by the neverending light, surrounded and engulfed by it, but there is no fear. How can he be afraid when surrounded by such vast, indescribable beauty?

Nor is he alone; he can feel them with him, all the friends he's known and lost along the way. Sometimes they stay beside him for a time, dancing next to him and sharing a beam of light; others slip past shyly, brushing against him and then disappearing. Disciple is there, and Lulu as well, and if Psii were there with them, they would be complete.

But the light begins to fade, and though he is sorry to lose it, he understands. It's not his time, not yet his turn, and he sinks willingly into the darkness, watching the neverending light as it retreats and glimmers into nothingness.

He opens his eyes.

It doesn't take him long to recognize the dome above Vatheon, and he sits up, looking around him. He's not surprised to see that some of his friends have gathered there with him.

"Hey. What's going on?"

~*~A few hours later, open to everyone!~*~

[The video feed clicks on, and there's Signless, brought back by Vatheon's miracles. He's sitting somewhere with his back to the bubble, tropical fish swimming and darting behind him, and someone has taken the time to weave him a crown of flowers, which almost completely hides his nubby horns. His expression is serious, as is his voice.]

Vatheon, I am back. I'm aware that there has been some fighting and violence regarding my death. Let me say, here and now, that what happened was an accident. Dualscar did nothing wrong, and should not have been held responsible. Anyone who would further trouble him about these happenings should first come and see me, because if anyone persists in bothering him will find they have a problem with me as well.

Leave him alone.

But yes, I am back. I missed you, Vatheon, and I'm very grateful to have another chance to be with you all.

[He looks into the video feed, like he wants to say more, then shuts it off.]

Comments

[aim_exorable]

[Darkleer raises a hand as if to knead at his temples, but pauses when he feels the bandages and puts it back down at his side.]

I want to be here for you.

[rebull]

[Stare.]

[He knows.]

[But he doesn't need the pity, it only makes it burn more. That willingness to feel pity for him but not to understand. It just reminds him just how alone he is. And even though he hates the ache in his pump when he looks at Darkleer like this, Summoner knows better. He can't let himself fall into the trap. He cried enough, he was done, no more.]

[It was selfish to cry about this, to feel sorry for himself, to feel alone and wallow in it. It was and is selfish and he needs to stop.]

[He stares for a bit longer before pulling in a deep breath, his lids closing a little more before he looks down, a sigh leaving through his nose.]

[aim_exorable]

[No.]

[No, don't look away from him, don't fly off, don't shut down. Don't leave him behind somewhere he can't follow.]

[Reaching forward, he touches the sides of Summoner's face, tries to get him to look up again.]

You said you wanted someone to believe in you. Then convince me, please. Stop shoving me away.

[rebull]

[He stiffens when hands touch the sides of his face and he quickly moves to grab Darkleer's wrists. Summoner's thumbs rub there for a moment before his breath hitches and he pulls his hands away, stepping back and taking his face away from Darkleer's touch.]

[The expression on his face looks confused, eyebrows kneaded just slightly, lips purses. He doesn't know if he can really do any talking right now, he doesn't know if he wants to. Not after his conversation with Signless.]

[aim_exorable]

[For a moment, Darkleer looks crestfallen before he just bows his head and lowers his hands.]

...I'll wait.

[rebull]

[His lips purse tighter, soon looking to the side and shaking his head, eyeing Dural.]

Dural, please.

[aim_exorable]

I said not a word!

[But her aggravated chirruping earns Darkleer's attention and he sighs.]

Dural, come here...

[NOPE JUST AGGRAVATED FEATHER PUFFING.]

[rebull]

Dural...

If you want me to-

To talk, go.

[aim_exorable]

[Some more huffing before she nuzzles his ear.]

Have him make the special food for me.

[That said, she takes off with a heave, flapping through the branches until she disappears into the sky. Darkleer stays where he is, watching from beneath his eyelashes.

[rebull]

[He watches her fly off before glancing to Darkleer again. There's another quiet pause and he rolls his shoulder, looking to the side.]

She expects her favorite feed as payment. Just so you know. [His voice is a little hoarse, but he keeps his tone serious.]

[aim_exorable]

Of course.

[Nothing else. Under lighter circumstances, perhaps he would have made a comment on the bird's nature, but not right now. Darkleer just watches Summoner, waiting for him to speak again.]

[rebull]

[He watches right back, not really wanting to say anything at all, but.]

What shall I say, Darkleer?

[aim_exorable]

Whatever you want. It is hardly my place to force you to do anything. I simply... want there to be no pain to be between us. I want things right again.

[rebull]

[That wasn't the response he wanted to hear. Summoner's face hardens a little more.]

Were they ever right?

[aim_exorable]

I like to believe so, at least with the two of us.

[A dry smile that doesn't care anything positive in it.]

Do you believe otherwise?

[rebull]

Yeah, maybe the illusion was there, but you don't get it. This, you don't get this, and from that, me. [His eyebrows knead at the center of his brow just slightly before relaxing again.]

You shouldn't want to have me say what I want. You should want to know for yourself.

[aim_exorable]

I came here, didn't I? But... I cannot make you say something you don't want to say.

Lysunder... I don't know what I'm doing. [He makes a small sweeping gesture with his hand.] I have not the slightest clue... But I want that to change. I do.

It simply means nothing if you do not truly wish to speak to me of it.

[rebull]

Honor, Darkleer. I am trying to restore Dualscar's honor. [He's doing his best to keep his voice steady, trying to keep eye contact.]

As well as to take the potential he has and get it to actually do something. Let him open his eyes.

[aim_exorable]

[There's no immediate answer; Darkleer doesn't want to rush this like last time. His eyes go half lidded absently as he chews over the reasoning in his head. Finally, a very slow nod.]

In a way, I suppose I can understand trying to push at potential, particularly in that manner. While it doesn't necessarily take away the pain of dying, or the pain others feel of knowing a loved one has been harmed, this place's system of revival can be a benefit in that way.

However... I am afraid you have me lost one other point. Dying is usually a loss of honor unless it happens in a particular fashion. You mentioned it before, in relation to his guilt, I believe.

[rebull]

Heh. [Summoner bows his head, his eyes closing as he shrugs his shoulders up, wings rustling.]

There are few deaths that allow one to hold onto her honor. One I hope to have send me off in the future, and another I assisted in here. In a place where death is impermanent, it only makes sense to have the same happen in return to hold one's honor. The pain of it should be shared if both are to merely return. [He shakes his head.] It being an accident is an entirely different part of this, but the honorable death to show your ability to grasp what has happened and accept it as your own is extremely important. Taking lashings for a wrong doing you accept as your own is also holding honor, though uh, it might not look like it.

[aim_exorable]

You realize that last part- how it does not look like a way to retain or regain honor- is exactly what is going to have a great many individuals displeased with you.

Will you be able to handle that?

[rebull]

For something this important, yes. [He feels his chest clench but he says nothing more.]

[aim_exorable]

Even if it's Signless? Your reasons may have been good, but anyone would be swallowed by emotions at the death of a quadrant partner.

[And he knows how much the other admires the other rebel.]

[rebull]

[He feels his chest clench tighter.]

Yes, even if it's him.

[aim_exorable]

[A soft sigh, and then Darkleer simply holds his hand out to him, palm up.]

There is certainly something to be said for your conviction.