[Open] ☆ 5th Page ☆ Owl Be Back

[noctuagoetia]

Who: Stolas and you!
Which: Open Log
Where: The little cabaret club in Reverein.
When: Back dated to when he puffed for his canon update three days later
What: Stolas returns back from disappearing to have a jolly ol' time back in Hell, only to puff right back in the middle of town looking like a cat chewed him up.
Warnings: Possible talk of death. And dad jokes

The day started out normal enough. Well, as 'normal' a dreamland could be after the most recent event that rocked Reverein that is. The town square was probable a buzz with native and dreamers alike as they went about to survey the damages the Stary Eater's chaos had brought. Though whatever powers were at play had another idea instore.

As if a new arrival was entering Reverein, though the timing was all wrong, a portal opened smack dab in the middle of The Square. Unceremoniously it dumped out one Ars Geotia out on his ass. The sudden drop got a shocked hoot from the massive owl as he crumpled to the cobblestone below and the gateway closed behind him, its job complete. Welp, not as graceful as the first time he arrived... Though Stolas had seen better days. The Goetic Prince had returned sporting injuries that he did not have when he disappear. He was covered in bandages with his left arm and right leg in a cast, making it impossible for him to stand. In fact, he was just laying there limp as a ragdoll as he stared up at the sky.

What the Hell was going on? Trying to make sense of what he had just experienced... It felt so real, going back home, no memory of this place... He would have chalked it all up to it being a vivid dream if his injuries didn't painfully throb. Yep... yep... it was real. It all happened. But why did this place send him away only to bring him back? Ugh... He would have to wait to address that later... First thing first, getting himself off the ground would be a good start.

Rolling over onto his side, Stolas called out for help. "E-excuse me, could you lend me a hand? Currently I have no leg to stand on."

Comments

[noctuagoetia]

Continuing to hold the boy in his good arm, he listens quietly to him studder over his words. This well spoken boy who was always very careful on how he cherry picked his words was shaven raw. Stolas gave one last squeeze before pulling back with a chuckle in his chest.

"One of the perks of living in Hell I suppose..." Stolas smiled softly, cupping gently a hand on the boy's face, swiping his thumb over the apple of his cheek. "If I were to judge other's 'fuck ups' I would have to also look myself in the mirror. There is not a single person I know who hasn't made mistakes. Being different is what makes us special, even if it can lead into being misunderstood by others. Holding yourself up to someone else's standard of who they want you to be is suffocating. You don't need to hold your breath around me."

[herewardbound]

"I know that. I just- it was clear she didn't. Want me. I wasn't what she planned. But she tried. She tried to never let it show, do the best she could, and then... you know how it ended. Everyone was so fucking shitty to her. Her neighbors, her own parents. Everyone pushed her away. If she'd had just... one person. One person who cared enough, maybe-"

He inhaled. "I know it's pointless to think about it. But it just makes me so... angry. That things could've been different, if just one of them had cared as- as much as you do."

[noctuagoetia]

"You have a right to your anger." The goetia responded simply, still cupping the boy's cheek with a gentle hand. He could se the pain in Akechi's eyes and the hurt in his voice. "I don't think I need to tell you that life is cruel and unfair, not just in the human realm but I'm speaking about my own as well. We cannot choose the circumstances of our birth but we can choose who we call family. And Akechi..." There was a brief pause as Stolas gave him the biggest dopiest smile. "... you have become like a son to me. A very pink, squishy, featherless son."

[herewardbound]

"That. Is... possibly the dumbest way you could've phrased that."

And yet, in the circumstances, he couldn't quite stop the ghost of a smile.

[noctuagoetia]

"Its an accurate description, is it not? All newly hatched birds are pink and featherless." Stolas chuckled, giving the boy's cheek a light squeeze. Was he calling Akechi a baby? Who knows?

"Say... It may be a foolish idea but... you live alone, right? My treehouse is more than large enough to house one more. If you want your own space, I understand but the offer to move in here is yours to take. I'm sure Via would love the company as well."

[herewardbound]

His expression twisted, slightly. "It's not- that I don't want to. It's... a lot to think about. That's all. But... thank you. I'll probably... spend more time there now, anyway. Since you invited me."

He drew a shaky breath. "I'm not. Used to this. I don't know how comfortable I am with... the topic of fathers. Maybe I just need to get over myself. Maybe I need therapy, I-"

He wanted this. Needed this, like a drowning man needed air, but- the prospect was like facing a drop into unlit darkness, having to trust there was someone to catch him at the bottom. "I know it's not what you wanted to hear. I'm not going to apologize, but- I do feel like an idiot for saying it."