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songerein2021-09-09 08:17 pm
lonelysmiles) wrote in songerein2021-09-09 08:17 pm
Entry tags:
[OPEN] Butterflies and Flowers
Who: Alastor, anyone who wants to catch the demon deer off-guard
Which: Log, Open
Where: A large patch of wildflowers just outside Reverein itself.
What: Thinking he's alone, Alastor lets some of his "big bad Radio Demon" persona slip.
Warnings: At least one blatant reference to Bambi
Flowers existed in Hell though they typically tended to be the flowers that had a bone to pick with the rest of the world: They were poisonous or bore thorns if not both. Roses were actually quite common in Hell, as beautiful and thorny as ever. Their velvet petals were always so tempting, prompting Alastor to reach out to pick one of the flowers even though he knew the flower would instantly wilt at his touch. Even if he didn't pick the blossom, it would simply droop as a lone dead bloom in an otherwise healthy rosebush.
He'd never thought he'd miss such a simple thing. However, ninety years without being able to touch those enticing velvety petals or to pick a flower and place it in his lapel made him long for such an insignificant thing. Hell's punishments could be rather unique and cruel that way.
One thing Hell certainly didn't have were butterflies. When one fluttered over to land on his nose, the demon had been momentarily startled. Then he'd followed it as it fluttered off, charmed by the little creature's audacity and curious as to where it was going. It had led him to a patch of wildflowers just outside of town.
Alastor approached slowly, cautiously. He didn't want to frighten his tiny companion off. He reached out for one of the violets...then hesitated. Remembering the vine from the cleanup effort, he slowly removed one of his gloves before reaching out to stroke the delicate petals. He braced himself for the inevitable.
Only it didn't die.
Without thinking, he slowly settled down to sit on his knees, simply stroking the flower's petals with his clawed fingers. His ears were pricked up and his smile less forced as he indulged in the sensation, completely unaware of anyone who might observe his lapse.
Which: Log, Open
Where: A large patch of wildflowers just outside Reverein itself.
What: Thinking he's alone, Alastor lets some of his "big bad Radio Demon" persona slip.
Warnings: At least one blatant reference to Bambi
Flowers existed in Hell though they typically tended to be the flowers that had a bone to pick with the rest of the world: They were poisonous or bore thorns if not both. Roses were actually quite common in Hell, as beautiful and thorny as ever. Their velvet petals were always so tempting, prompting Alastor to reach out to pick one of the flowers even though he knew the flower would instantly wilt at his touch. Even if he didn't pick the blossom, it would simply droop as a lone dead bloom in an otherwise healthy rosebush.
He'd never thought he'd miss such a simple thing. However, ninety years without being able to touch those enticing velvety petals or to pick a flower and place it in his lapel made him long for such an insignificant thing. Hell's punishments could be rather unique and cruel that way.
One thing Hell certainly didn't have were butterflies. When one fluttered over to land on his nose, the demon had been momentarily startled. Then he'd followed it as it fluttered off, charmed by the little creature's audacity and curious as to where it was going. It had led him to a patch of wildflowers just outside of town.
Alastor approached slowly, cautiously. He didn't want to frighten his tiny companion off. He reached out for one of the violets...then hesitated. Remembering the vine from the cleanup effort, he slowly removed one of his gloves before reaching out to stroke the delicate petals. He braced himself for the inevitable.
Only it didn't die.
Without thinking, he slowly settled down to sit on his knees, simply stroking the flower's petals with his clawed fingers. His ears were pricked up and his smile less forced as he indulged in the sensation, completely unaware of anyone who might observe his lapse.
no subject
The idea of sharing a little treehouse with Alastor had made sense. He, for one, wasn't all that interested in the idea of cohabiting with anyone actually- being here wasn't the first time he'd been alone. Wouldn't be the last either. But, after what they'd seen, and knowing that the bulk of his abilities weren't exactly available at the moment, Alastor seemed a good choice to room with. The cannibalism thing only made it interesting.
...And yeah, there was his own curiosity too. The fact neither of them slept? A bonus. Less to explain, no reason to pretend otherwise. As night had turned into morning their conversations had eased off into silences that he personally found comfortable enough, and at first light, the demon, his shadow, and his microphone- presumably- had exited.
He was fine with staying behind. He'd said nothing when the demon had slipped out- merely gave a cheerful goodbye and returned to an examination of his messages, and the idea of doing the same was something not entertained.
Sure, there were things he should be doing. Productive things for instance- hauling water from the source they'd found, scavenging up comforts, not to mention making some improvements to the little house itself... but honestly?
Effort.
So. He'd stayed behind for a few hours after Alastor, only emerging (eventually) when he wanted. His reason? Sunlight, of course. It wasn't like he could or would get sick without it, but again. It's a bonus. And in this body, being idle for too long wasn't without discomfort.
And it's while he's taking a brief stroll that he finds the wildflower field. Something of interest of course- as even the limited amount of greenery in Shibuya's parks weren't allowed to grow unchecked- but more interesting is the familiar figure within it.
He would leave.
But he's fairly confident, if demons were anything like angels, he'd have already been sensed. Probably a long way back, actually. And if demons were as paranoid as angels, leaving would come with all kinds of irritating little hunches on their part.
So, he approaches.
"Having fun?"
It's a simple statement. And it comes with a faintly curious look, hands in his pockets, his posture relaxed. As it should be in a flower field, of course.
no subject
"But of course! It's been decades since I've been in actual sunshine! Never even realized I'd missed it until the opportunity arose again!"
He really, really hoped that his new roommate didn't press too much. He doubted he would. Yoshiya was interesting but it seemed he was a tad...oh what was the word he was looking for?
Ah, yes. Lazy.
Not enough to get on Alastor's nerves but just enough to let him know that if anything was going to get done around their little home, it was probably going to be largely the deer demon's job.
no subject
Decades. That correlates with everything he'd been told thusfar- of hell being vaguely subterranean, of fire, brimstone, that kind of thing. Part of him wonders- despite himself- why exactly that's the case. Punishment? Sure. That stands to sense. But the why of being punished is still up in the air.
And it's far more interesting than talking about flowers.
"There's no need. I'm just trying to find that little teashop from a few days ago. Unless you want to come with."
no subject
Yes, Alastor was a twisted individual, but he'd never claimed otherwise.
"Ah, the teashop! Yes, I'd heard about it but haven't been myself! I heard that the teas are poisoned! Are they?"
Honestly, he would find it hilarious if they were.
no subject
"Mhm!"
His voice is that much more animated too. Almost playful- indicative of how young he appears.
"All kinds of things happen from them. Nothing lethal of course- I guess that kind of thing's counterproductive to what whoever's behind this is angling for. But I reaaaaally want something new to happen."
Even if it's just observing the populace flounder with practical joke via tea. And if it looked fun, killing time with a firsthand experience isn't out of the question.
Is he bored already?
Yes. Very.
"So, it's up to you if you want to come along or not. If this kind of thing's more up your alley, it's not like you have to or anything."
no subject
He immediately moved to start keeping pace with Yoshiya. Alastor still hadn't gotten bored of the mundanity. In a strange sort of way, it was new and exciting not to be feared to the point where he couldn't greet someone without them fleeing midway through the word "hello". The things one took for granted!
no subject
Given Alastor's proportions and how long his stride is, it's not long before the radio demon has caught up with him. So! He turns when he does, to regard him as he's walking. And innocently:
"I'm guessing the sunshine and flowers thing wasn't normal even when you were alive. 1920-1930s America, right? So you had the tailend of the recession... the aftermath of the first world war, and the beginning of the great depression instead. As well as all kinds of natural disasters dotted about that decade that messed up all kinds of things. I imagine most people had way more on their minds than stuff like enjoying the sun."
His gaze moves ahead of them as they walk.
"Unless I've pegged you wrong. Was it something different when you were alive?"
no subject
He took a moment to calm his laughter.
"No no. It's just I haven't seen the sun or flowers that weren't poised and ready to strike back in decades! Like I said before, you never really know what you'll miss until you're cut off from it!"
He looked sideways at Yoshiya.
"Though I take it you haven't had the same problem!"
no subject
"Whoever ran things where you were must've sure been busy."
Composers knew each other, of course. Yet he's hardly a social creature. His links to others, even with that kind of thing, were limited. Yet even if he was the sort to care about grounds other than his own, that sort of distance was pushing it.
"There's a saying goes that adversity brings out the worst in people... But I think it's something different instead. I'm more of the opinion that when their constructs- administrations, governments, and financial systems to give a few examples, come crashing down, anyone'd realize it's all a lie. Sticking to the rules doesn't keep you clothed or fed. It's a free for all."
A slight pause. And he turns his gaze back.
"...It's happened over and over. But, I suppose it'd be remiss to overlook what it teaches them. The more terrible the thing, the stronger it makes the lies that come after."
Lessons were learned, and yes. There'd been recessions since. Of course there were, capitalism wasn't exactly the best system then, and wasn't even now. And human greed was human greed. But...
"Mm, me?"
Well. Yes and no. It wasn't that he cared for returning. Because no. He didn't. At all. It's more...
"You remembered!" He sounds pleased at that. "My situation isn't anything to do with missing anything. It's their world, not any of ours. It's more that I'm kind of interested to see what happens with it."
...And yes, maybe that interest was stopping him from moving on.
Much to the higher-ups displeasure, of course. Even their chagrin. It might be that this interest is ridiculous. Illogical, even. Perhaps even the source of a great many problems with him. But that's unspoken.
no subject
The other's pleasure prompted Alastor's grin to widen.
"Of course I did! It wouldn't be right to play a game with someone and not even take the time to get to know them!"
no subject
"Who knows."
It's certainly a question. He's familiar, of course, with the Higher Plane's jurisdiction over all parallels. Hence there being multiples of all denizens of it- one for each system, each parallel, each having a representative there, whether they knew it or not. He'd come face-to-face with one of his not so long ago... as much of a miscalculation as that was.
"Whether we have the same origin world or not, this place would be the only way regardless."
After all, it's not like Alastor can come up through Hell. And it's not like he can get put down there. As much as certain entities would probably want the latter.
Knowing, though. He hums a thoughtful note. Knowing him, really knowing him, isn't on the cards. And he's got a feeling it's the same way with what he knows of Alastor. There's certain things which are closed, at least with him. Maybe so with the other.
But regardless, it's a relief, honestly, to get to talk openly for once. As they continue walking, finally a little thatched roof comes into view amongst the trees, with all manner of flowers woven in.
"This is the place. So! Do you want a run-down of the teas and their effects, or do you want the adventure of not knowing?"
no subject
no subject
As he enters the small cafe, the smell of botanicals is kind of staggering. He pays it little mind, since, immediately, he's swarmed by tiny fairies which usher him to a booth. Perhaps they'd do so for Alastor as well, or perhaps not. Regardless, he seems perfectly content to be pushed and pulled and coaxed into a booth.
As he takes a seat, and regards some little hand-drawn menu...
"Looks like they've rotated their stock since yesterday..." Meaning everything gave unknown effects. Exciting!
no subject
"How delightful! If they shuffle things around every day, it'll keep everyone on their toes!"
It'd certainly be worth it to pass by the cafe somewhat regularly to check in and see what was in stock by watching the reactions of the various patrons.