Wouldn't you like to use more than words?

[letsplayamod]

The last thing you recall is likely your own death. Whether it was fast or slow, it's over now. And you're... where are you?

One moment, you were among the living. The next - you may be one of the unfortunate ones who actually died. In which case, you've found yourself flowing in the lazy rivers of the river Styx, unfathomably deep underground. Just for a moment, mind you. It's not long before your consciousness is yanked from the waters by some scary monsters, shoved into a healed body, and pushed through a portal.

Or, maybe you were caught red-handed and sentenced to your doom. But, instead of a proper death, you were whisked down into the Veins of Tartarus. And there's really only one place that could lead to... Or is it?


You've been tossed down here by the will of the Titan, but what you find is A helping hand swooping you up - possibly literally, and potentially out of the grasp of the Titan himself.

Not a moment after, you're whisked through another rift, this one a shimmering gold. Into a realm of slightly more stable platforms and a lot more shit to look through. The area is practically littered with the ill-gotten goods of a thieving God (who is happy to note via pop-up illusion that you are touching his stuff). Here, however, you are safe; assured that Typhon cannot find or hurt you here.

For the moment, you can breathe before the next part comes.

Comments

[markofnobility]

As am I! I am surprised Lebkuchen is being so bold, but... I feel that may be what was needed here.

[tailoredfate]

I knew she had such resolve in her. It was only a matter of her finding it herself.

[She said she felt weak, she sounded so lost during that seance a few weeks ago. But Aglaea had seen the strength in which she threw the red shoes into the fire, felt that determination with her hand on Lebkuchen's back.

Of course such a fire could burn in other ways as well.]

But I knew you of all people would understand her position.

[markofnobility]

[He laughs brightly]

I suppose I do understand it.

[He watches Jeira respond with a sparkle in his eyes]

It brings me hope, seeing others find love in this place. They deserve it.

[tailoredfate]

It warms a heart I wasn't sure I had anymore.

[She hasn't felt.... happy like this in a while. She wasn't even sure she could still feel happy. It's nice.]

With how terrible things have been since Typhon began his ceaseless tantrums... it's these moments we need to hold onto the most.

[markofnobility]

Was not sure you had?

[That surprises him. Sure, they were never close when alive but-]

Aglaea, you have always seemingly been kind, and clearly care very much for many of the Seekers- how could you think you do not have a heart?!

[tailoredfate]

[The earnest emotion in his words, that face so like a puppy... it's like looking at Phainon, when he would ask such things. Right before he'd get angry and start barking at the Council or those who insulted Aglaea. It's sweet, really.

It's... nice. That the people here care for her so.]

Think of a weapon laid out in the open. Weeks go by, months, years - think of how a sword would rust, the wooden shaft of a spear would warp and flake. Think of how even the stone of a well-tended fortification can be weathered by time, exposed to the elements.

[She taps a finger on her own chest.]

Now think of what a thousand years can do to a soul. Even a thousand years of peace means a thousand years of living. Time wears away at all things, and I'm no exception.

[There's no pain in her voice as she speaks, no bitterness, it's just... matter of fact.]

It's no form of self-deprecation, just merely the truth - that my soul is torn and faded like a long-abandoned battle standard. I haven't felt the way I used to feel before I took Mnestia's Coreflame in a long, long time.

[markofnobility]

...

Well, even the most untended weapon can be restored with some good oil and some patience!

[It's hard to tell if he didn't get the metaphor at all or got it perfectly]

[tailoredfate]

[... Even as good of a read as Aglaea has on most people. She still can't tell if that flew over his head or not.

Either way, it makes her laugh softly.]

Unfortunately, patience was something I couldn't afford to have. That implies I had time on my hands, which was in very short supply when I was killed. [By the way she talks so lightly about it, that certainly can't mean when she was killed in this world.] With the fraying of my soul, I knew death would soon follow. It was inevitable.

But perhaps... coming here helped, in a way.

[markofnobility]

[he nods. he gets it- the days that blur when you always have thankless, bitter work to do. And for him it was only a few years. He can't imagine a goddess' timeframe]

There are plenty here who will restore your shine, if you let them.

[tailoredfate]

Honestly, I never cared much for my own shine. That may seem surprising to some, but... it's much nicer seeing others shine.

[Besides...

"any time I trust anyone you inevitably leave me behind!"

... She's not sure if the one that she found matters so much to her might want her around now. She's already prepared herself for the chance that this might be Cifera all over again.]

... It's like watching the sun rise.

[The light is beautiful. But... at a distance.]