Damage assessment

[rainbowarch]

Who: Cielo and the residents of the bubble
Where: The plaza, by the coral
When: Afternoon
Style: I shall match you
Status: Open

Those who choose to return to the city may see Cielo in either his human or demon form in just about every location in the bubble. From the street to the top of Vatheon's tallest (still standing) buildings, he's there surveying the landscape.

The first thing he did once the bubble was declared safe to return to was, naturally, to head straight for the Embryon Base and check to see if it was still habitable. Satisfied in its safety, he looked to the city itself. Even though it was the same Vatheon he had been living in for over a year, it seemed like a different place with all the damage.

It reminded him a little bit of the Junkyard. And thinking about the Junkyard brings up certain memories for him. Eventually, he finds himself flying by the Lamufao in demon form, and remembering that he hasn't touched it recently, gracefully descends down to the ground and leans forward, touching his head to the coral while letting out a low growl of frustration and discontent.

Comments

[onlyasign]

Sufferer might not be familiar with Cielo's specific demon form, but he certainly recognizes that that is one of the Embryon by the coral. He can also tell that whoever it is is upset, and he approaches, one hand lifted in a calming gesture.

"There, there, friend... whatever it is, it can't be that bad."

[rainbowarch]

Cielo doesn't know quite how to voice the multiple things troubling him and is silent for a moment before answering.

"...they are pretty bad though, bro."

In fact, knowing the coral is a finicky object is the only thing that stopped him from just repeatedly slamming his head against the thing.

[zipperlips]

A return to the bubble has meant that Kurloz has regained the opportunity to ignore eating in favor of relying on the coral for energy, and he's taking blatant advantage of that. Getting food past the stitches on his mouth was a pain.

When he gets to the coral, though, it seems to be rather occupied by a growling creature he's never seen before. He doesn't get too close, but he does stand just off to the side, observing curiously and apparently without fear.

[rainbowarch]

There's someone watching him. Cielo can tell it's a troll, but it's not one that he's very familiar with. He doesn't smell like a troll he knows, and the oddest thing Cielo finds about the troll is that he has yet to speak. He finds that somewhat odd - trolls, on the whole, seem to like talking.

Energy restored by the coral, he lifts his head and turns it to "stare" at the troll. There is no hostility in the gesture, only curiosity.

[zipperlips]

Cielo's eyeless demon is probably going to make things difficult here, with Kurloz being the way he is, but he doesn't yet realize how exactly Cielo "sees" in this form.

When he notices that the demon's head is turned in his direction, he doesn't step back, but just gives a little wave and tilts his head. He's curious, here.

[not_heavens_adam]

It was hard not to notice a demon by the coral, especially when the demon in question was familiar to you. Whatever Johnny had been doing in the plaza could wait, it was obvious Cielo wasn't in the best of spirits right now and that just wasn't him, so Johnny was worried.

He came over to the fountain and settled on the edge of it. "Hey there...something wrong?"

that is one heck of a demon form.

[pendragon]

Saber is getting used to the new - at least, to her - underwater city. She's been helping people here and there where she can, scouting in the meanwhile.

As she walks by the coral (that she had already touched as was suggested, which did help her feel somewhat better) Saber notices a .. something seemingly pressing its head against the coral.

"Are you.. quite alright?" the knight asks, unable to help but look at the creature with a bit of obvious curiosity.

[rainbowarch]

Lacking eyes is not much of a deterrent to Dyaus - eyes are unnecessary when your other senses can give you all the information you need. When Kurloz waves at him, Cielo tilts his head in the other direction.

"Hi."

[rainbowarch]

"Nothing." It's an obvious lie with no effort put behind it to make it sound even remotely convincing. Realizing this, Cielo doesn't even wait for Johnny to call him out on it. "It's been pretty tough lately, bro."

his is nothing you should see the others

[rainbowarch]

Cielo lifts his head and stands up to full hight, looking (as well as something with no eyes can look) down at the woman before him. It takes him a moment to place her identity. The knight-princess he had met on the beach just a short time ago.

"Saber," he said, in his demon's low, bestial voice.

She doesn't seem to be afraid of his demon, a fact made all the more impressive that she hadn't been warned of it beforehand.

"...just thinking."

[pendragon]

It sounds masculine, and it speaks as if it knows Saber. Trying not to appear ignorant, the knight peers closely at the creature.

Who does it remind her of? Saber clears her mind and focuses on the demon, using her somewhat limited sixth sense to-

"Cielo?" Saber asks suddenly, and as soon as the name leaves her lips, she feels it's the right name.

[rainbowarch]

...oh. Oh. He should have let her know who he was first. He was simply too used to either people already knowing about it or going from human to demon rather than the other way around.

The demon nods reverts back to his human form, the tattoo on his right leg glowing blue for a few seconds before fading to its usual color of black.

"Ja, it's me."

[pendragon]

"I see. You aren't human, then?"

Saber doesn't ask that with negative connotation. She's not human, in the typical sense. Rather, she's someone who died brought back as a very powerful Heroic Spirit.

"No matter. I'm not entirely human, either. ..This does seem like a lovely place to think."

Stepping over to the coral, Saber touches it once again. This time, the effect is not nearly as noticeable as she has not done anything to need it.

[rainbowarch]

He's not human. It's true. But at the same time, it's not true. Exactly what he is has always baffled Cielo, and at this point, he has accepted that he is simply human, demon, and artificial intelligence all at the same time. Perhaps a long time ago he would have said that wasn't possible, but he and his Tribemates were living proof that the three could coexist as a single being. He is curious about Saber's declaration, but she could simply be like other Vatheon residents who simply appear human in all but name.

"Some comrades of mine left recently. And the flooding reminded me about the world I come from."

[pendragon]

"If they left, that means they have returned to their own world?"

Saber has only heard bits and pieces of this, but the consensus seems to be that time does not pass for one in their own world and when they leave Vatheon, they return there.

The knight was summoned from limbo, so she'd likely return to that. ..Really, Vatheon seems like the better option.

"I have also been told that sometimes they may return. You never know."

[rainbowarch]

Cielo can't bring himself to say that if they truly went back, that meant that Gale was dead. And Sera...well, even if she does manage to quell God's wrath, she doesn't have long to live either.

"We were happier here," he replies. But then there's the other issue he has on his mind. The fact that Vatheon was almost swallowed by the sea reminded him of what happened to the Junkyard and what was happening to the real world. "Saber, do you think it's possible for a peaceful world to exist? Where nobody kills anyone else?"

[pendragon]

"..."

Saber pauses, considering her words before she speaks.

"As someone who has experienced nothing but war, I am unsure if that would be possible.."

It's the truth for her. From everything she's seen, and how awful people can be, the knight is uncertain if true peace can ever exist.

[rainbowarch]

"Maybe you're right, ja? All creatures must kill to survive."

It's disappointing to hear. But it's something Cielo understands. People can be terrible. He himself is terrible. It's the way things work. Life sacrifices itself so that other life may continue.

"I come from a world that was nothing but war. They promised whoever won would get the best prize of all. So we all fought and killed each other for it." He stops for a moment, then looks at the coral. "It was a lie, though. But we're still looking for it, because we fought hard for it and countless people have died for it."

[onlyasign]

"I'm sorry." Sufferer recognizes Cielo's voice, and sits down beside him, his legs neatly crossed underneath him. He puts one hand on Cielo's shoulder, confident that he won't be harmed. "Do you want to talk about it?"

[rainbowarch]

Cielo gives it a moment to think about it and he nods, reverting back to his human form as he does so.

"Two of my comrades left recently."

[zipperlips]

Kurloz waves again, then points at Cielo and tilts his head again. Hopefully that will be enough to make it clear that he won't talk, but also enough to get his question across. He's never seen anything or one like this, before, so maybe he can get the guy to ramble about himself. Or maybe he'll just explain what he's doing at the coral. Either way, information is information.

[onlyasign]

Sufferer gives Cielo's shoulder a squeeze, and scoots a little closer to him. If there's much more sadness from the Embryon, he's going in for a hug. "I'm so sorry. You must miss them."

[rainbowarch]

Doesn't want to talk eh? Or maybe...he can't talk? Cielo decides to revert to human form to take a look at this unfamiliar troll. And of course, the first thing to catch his attention is the sewn up lips. Well, that explains things. Maybe it's better if he stays like this. Even if the troll can't talk back, he should still introduce himself.

"I'm Cielo."

[rainbowarch]

He does. A lot. And a part of him hopes they've found themselves in Nirvana.

"I do. And I was a bit worried about what would happen to this city."

Vatheon is his home, after all.

[not_heavens_adam]

Johnny didn't hide his concern when hearing that, but considering the state of things recently, it didn't really surprise him someone was having a tough time.

"Do you want to talk about it? I have an ear or two to spare." And plenty of time, especially for a friend.