Post-Event Blues

[lucetimods]

Who: Everybody, everybody!
What: The battle is won. Now what?
When: The eleventh, twelfth, and onward
Where: Luceti
Summary: With Zompano dead and the cultists routed, Luceti is restored. Kind of.
Rating: F for Feels

On the eleventh, things were slowly breaking down. Memories of their true lives were breaking through. The village, scarred by the battle with the cultists, began to rebuild itself. Community buildings that had vanished were returned to their rightful places. The battle dome was uncovered from the earth that had covered it. Hundreds and hundreds of fake homes slowly faded away. Paved roads gave way to trees and grass. It was an incredible sight for anyone who was willing to sit aroun and watch it happen.

Things wouldn't be easy for the villagers, though. The memories perpetuated by the last ten days would not be easily removed. The feelings and hatreds it had created would take time to conquer and remove. Perhaps, in a way, that was Zompano's nastiest trick of all. The village itself may heal from his invasion, but it would take far more than a few Shifts to fix the people left behind.

Towards the end of the day, their wings returned. Much like some of the buildings, they seemed to just reappear, as if they had never been gone. Their barcodes became visible again as a singular reminder that they were, ultimately, just the property of another entity who as a whole were not much better than Count Zompano.

By the twelfth, the village looked as though nothing had ever happened. Sure, the contents of buildings might have been messed up or destroyed during the battles, but things were otherwise as they were supposed to be. The night before, people would have had to find their old beds to go sleep in, as they no longer possessed the old ones granted to them in another life.

The village was peaceful.

Modly Note: That wraps up the event. As noted in the prose above, you have the option to play up the after effects of the event more than in other ones. While it won't have the same impact universally, the Shift was constructed in such a way that people may have difficulty shaking off the emotions they developed during the event. In effect, it was a cruel send off to Luceti so they would have to deal with the loathing and hatred that came with the less desirable parts of it. Of course, that means the feelings of familial bonds will also persist for awhile as well. It's up to you, as players, to decide how much or little to play with it!

Comments

[ledbythewind]

That was different-- those servants are my employees, not my friends. They willingly choose to work in exchange for pay, and should they ever become unhappy with their job, they are allowed to quit without any repercussions.

I could never ask you to be my servant, not even for the highest salary I could offer.

[musubi]

You thought you were giving me a better life though, right? And you were, the way you treated me. I mean, that was much better than living on the streets would have been. So in the end you still thought you were doing the right thing.

[ledbythewind]

Just thinking you're doing the right thing doesn't make it so.

[As he knows all too well. He thought that he and Lambda were doing the right thing by destroying the human race, and... well. There was nothing right about that in the slightest.]

[musubi]

Maybe not. At least it means you have a good heart, though.

[He stands up in order to better lean over, poking a finger at Richard's chest.]

Your heart. Because that's who you are.

[ledbythewind]

How can you be so sure that's who I really am?

[How can Isamu be so sure when he isn't even sure himself? Lambda, Twila, and now these cultists have all been able to manipulate his sense of self. What other reason could there be for it?]

You didn't see what I nearly did to my own world. I doubt you'd be saying the same thing if that were the case.

[musubi]

I don't give a shit about any of that. You didn't see how I treated Naoki back in my world either.

But I've seen you here. And I've seen the sort of person you are and the sort of person you want to be and I believe that no matter how the Malnosso mess with you that you can still remain yourself deep down.

I have to believe that. Because I have to believe that what I've become here is rooted in my core being too.

[ledbythewind]

[For a moment, Richard just stares up at Isamu, eyes wide, unsure how to respond to this. A part of him wants to tell Isamu that he shouldn't feel that way, that he shouldn't believe so strongly in Richard when he can't even believe in himself... yet the words don't come out.]

Isamu...

[He should say something more than that. He knows he should say something more than that. But somehow, he can't find the words he's looking for to express himself... a rarity for the usually so eloquent king.]

[musubi]

Stop doubting yourself.

[Isamu sits back down in his seat, face still set in a frown.]

How many times do I have to tell you this? You've affected people, and those people care for you. Do you think the Malnosso had any say in that? Fuck them.

[ledbythewind]

[He remains quiet for a short while, just processing this. Logically, he knows it's true: Isamu has always believed in him and always cared for him. So have Asbel and Sophie. Whether he thinks he deserves it or not, that much at least is the truth.]

I really don't deserve you.

[And that much, to him, is also the truth.]

... I know it's a selfish request, but... when we return to my world, could I ask you to live with me in the castle? Not as my servant, but the same way we do here.

[musubi]

What, like in the same bed and all?

[Isamu raises an eyebrow, wanting to argue against Richard's first statement but also wanting to keep the tone light.]

Are you sure that would go over well with everyone?

[ledbythewind]

Being the king does come with a few advantages, you know. The ability to make the rules is only one of them.

[He's worried about how it would go over too, truth be told. But that fear is nothing compared to the thought of NOT having Isamu by his side.]

[musubi]

Oho, so now you're taking advantage of that. After all my prodding about it before.

[He chuckles.]

Only for the most important matters, huh?

[ledbythewind]

There isn't anything more important than you.

[And he means it. He doesn't even want to think about where he'd be now if it weren't for Isamu. Probably trapped in a pit of endless self-loathing and depression, at the very least... worse than he already is.]

[musubi]

[It's Isamu's turn to be taken aback, and he blinks at the blond. Then his face goes slightly pink and he rubs at the back of his neck.]

...Now I'm sure you're exaggerating.

[ledbythewind]

I meant every word I said.

[Is it really that much of a surprise to Isamu after their conversation over breakfast that one morning? He'd told Isamu that he couldn't live without him; surely he hadn't forgotten that already?

Though he tries to hide it, his face falls just the tiniest bit.]

[musubi]

[Oh don't do that. Don't look saddened.

Isamu clears his throat, looking down at the table.]

Well, you know it's mutual.

[ledbythewind]

Does that mean you'll come with me?

[He shouldn't be hoping for a yes, he knows that. No doubt Isamu would like his own manor, his own life in Windor that isn't so intertwined with Richard's... because who in their right mind would voluntarily choose to be involved in all of the politics that comes with being a king?]

[musubi]

...Yeah. Yeah, sure it does.

[His smile is crooked, but genuine.]

Who wouldn't want to live in a palace, right?

[ledbythewind]

[Likewise, the smile on Richard's face right now is probably the most genuine one he's given in several months. Genuine, and relieved. So everything else in his life, his identity included, has been turned upside-down lately. This, at least, is a constant.]

I hope you aren't just saying that for the free room and board.

[musubi]

That's just a pleasant bonus.

[Mushy times are awkward. Isamu rubs at the back of his neck some more.]

[ledbythewind]

And the maids?

[Fortunately Richard is well aware that Isamu is not good with mushy things... and clearly the solution to that is to troll him mercilessly.]

[musubi]

There will be maids?

[Isamu grins.]

[ledbythewind]

Yes, and you aren't allowed to bother them.

[Ground rules must be laid, after all.]

[musubi]

Now you're just spoiling my fun.

[ledbythewind]

It would spoil your fun much more to be lectured by Duke Dalen about behavior unbecoming of a noble. He isn't the sort to let you get away with a mere slap on the wrist for any offense he deems to be severe enough.