πΉππππππ πΉπ ππΆ πππ (they/them) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
I know that, too.
[Tucked up against them, he carefully pulls the sword from his belt and sets it on the coffee table so it won't cut into the couch or interfere with their cuddles. The long tails bound around the hilt stretch out across the surface, obviously former masks, red and purple, eyeholes and all. The sword itself is the same kind Leo uses, but in terrible shape, the result of many years of terrible battles. Easy to draw conclusions about what has him so frazzled- whatever happened, it has to do with Master Leonardo.]
I don't... wanna give the wrong impression. I mean... it's not... [His hands twist together, searching for the words. He'd hardly slept a wink, his thoughts no more clear than they'd been the night before. But when he had slept, it hadn't been full of nightmares. It was just... quiet.
Or. Peaceful? God, just say it.] ...Master Draxum found sensei in the spoon shrine.
[Tucked up against them, he carefully pulls the sword from his belt and sets it on the coffee table so it won't cut into the couch or interfere with their cuddles. The long tails bound around the hilt stretch out across the surface, obviously former masks, red and purple, eyeholes and all. The sword itself is the same kind Leo uses, but in terrible shape, the result of many years of terrible battles. Easy to draw conclusions about what has him so frazzled- whatever happened, it has to do with Master Leonardo.]
I don't... wanna give the wrong impression. I mean... it's not... [His hands twist together, searching for the words. He'd hardly slept a wink, his thoughts no more clear than they'd been the night before. But when he had slept, it hadn't been full of nightmares. It was just... quiet.
Or. Peaceful? God, just say it.] ...Master Draxum found sensei in the spoon shrine.
[Casey sets that strange sword on their coffee table - which normally would grant a teasing huff or two out of Rue, but obviously not today - which leaves the owlbear with the perfect opening to pull a blanket around their son's shoulders before they drag him right back into their wings again.
And curling up here with Casey at their side, there is no where for them to look but to the weapon resting atop their coffee table.
It is a strange sight to see, even before Casey clarifies just what happened, Rue's mind drifting to the sword their Leonardo uses, and also the one they saw Casey's Leo using during that January trial. The length, the way it is so worn down, the specific masks trailing down around the hilt - something about the sight of it here at this very moment in their home leaves Rue's feathers prickling up in even greater worry.
Their head presses against Casey's, affectionate and encouraging.]
What do you mean, little cub?
And curling up here with Casey at their side, there is no where for them to look but to the weapon resting atop their coffee table.
It is a strange sight to see, even before Casey clarifies just what happened, Rue's mind drifting to the sword their Leonardo uses, and also the one they saw Casey's Leo using during that January trial. The length, the way it is so worn down, the specific masks trailing down around the hilt - something about the sight of it here at this very moment in their home leaves Rue's feathers prickling up in even greater worry.
Their head presses against Casey's, affectionate and encouraging.]
What do you mean, little cub?
[The contact and the blanket make it easier; his fingers curl around one edge, clenching tightly. Deep breath.]
The spoon shrine on Never Fade... it's full of broken spoons. Supposedly it's from people who've been here before. Leftovers, soul fragments. Or spirits who've passed... there were a lot of stories. [He only knows a fraction. Draxum would be able to answer it better.] April asked Master Draxum if he could... find a way to reach out to my family, from home. Like how they can talk to the Hamato ancestors...
[He ducks his head, humbled not only by April's kindness but the work Draxum had put into it, without him ever knowing.]
They wanted to help me. So I'd... get closure, somehow.
The spoon shrine on Never Fade... it's full of broken spoons. Supposedly it's from people who've been here before. Leftovers, soul fragments. Or spirits who've passed... there were a lot of stories. [He only knows a fraction. Draxum would be able to answer it better.] April asked Master Draxum if he could... find a way to reach out to my family, from home. Like how they can talk to the Hamato ancestors...
[He ducks his head, humbled not only by April's kindness but the work Draxum had put into it, without him ever knowing.]
They wanted to help me. So I'd... get closure, somehow.
[Well, Rue thought they and Draxum were on the same page, but clearly they are not. But that's another conversation, another worry for another day.
Instead, their focus is all Casey, a paw petting softly against his hair, a heavy wing wrapped around his skinny shoulders, listening intently to not only the words their son is speaking but to his breathing. No panic attacks this morning if Rue can help it, just calm, easy breaths while he recounts what happened during the previous evening.]
That was very kind of them. [It would be closure well deserved, for Casey to be able to walk away with a lighter burden against his shoulders.] What happened then?
Instead, their focus is all Casey, a paw petting softly against his hair, a heavy wing wrapped around his skinny shoulders, listening intently to not only the words their son is speaking but to his breathing. No panic attacks this morning if Rue can help it, just calm, easy breaths while he recounts what happened during the previous evening.]
That was very kind of them. [It would be closure well deserved, for Casey to be able to walk away with a lighter burden against his shoulders.] What happened then?
[oh, their poor boy.]
I promise, love, 'no' is a full answer. And so is 'I don't know'. Both are fine, Leo. We can continue to talk about it or we can simply enjoy one another's company. Or you can change your mind later and we can talk about it again. I only ask so that I don't switch subjects while you are waiting to speak about something. I worry that I have silenced you enough in the past, and I won't stand to let myself do it again.
I promise, love, 'no' is a full answer. And so is 'I don't know'. Both are fine, Leo. We can continue to talk about it or we can simply enjoy one another's company. Or you can change your mind later and we can talk about it again. I only ask so that I don't switch subjects while you are waiting to speak about something. I worry that I have silenced you enough in the past, and I won't stand to let myself do it again.
Then company it is.
[Just let Rue drag Leo a little closer, tickling their talons playfully up and down his arm, before they are settling back into the couch cushion beside him.]
Reality television tonight or one of our lovely dramas?
[Just let Rue drag Leo a little closer, tickling their talons playfully up and down his arm, before they are settling back into the couch cushion beside him.]
Reality television tonight or one of our lovely dramas?
[Casey tilts his head subtly into the pets, drawing strength from the weight on his shoulders, feeling grounded by it. His breathing is steady, occasionally hitched with emotion but not quick or panicked. He's still feeling a lingering sense of being overwhelmed, but not panicked.]
He searched until he found a fragment, and... he said he could feel it. Leo's spirit, but- older. Much older. He thought it must be him. That's when he told April, and she told me. We both went to meet him there last night. It took all night, but we... we got all the pieces. We put it together. And- and then sensei was... he was there. I felt him. He, um. [He rests a hand against his chest, over his heart.] He kind of... possessed me?
[This part's weird, sorry Mom.]
He searched until he found a fragment, and... he said he could feel it. Leo's spirit, but- older. Much older. He thought it must be him. That's when he told April, and she told me. We both went to meet him there last night. It took all night, but we... we got all the pieces. We put it together. And- and then sensei was... he was there. I felt him. He, um. [He rests a hand against his chest, over his heart.] He kind of... possessed me?
[This part's weird, sorry Mom.]
[You know what? That's fair.]
Perfect. [Let them just pull up their favorite to watch] My whole day is free, so I can stay as long as you'd like.
Perfect. [Let them just pull up their favorite to watch] My whole day is free, so I can stay as long as you'd like.
It is what family is for. I learned that from you.
Only because I learned from the best.
[Take another smooch as Rue starts the show, tipping their head in to bump affectionally against his as they settle in to watch.]
[Take another smooch as Rue starts the show, tipping their head in to bump affectionally against his as they settle in to watch.]
[let's be real, cad should have a shirt that says 'sometimes he dislikes being right but...']
Oh, you make a good point there. I suppose that since I told him, Knickolas has been very careful to never leave notes for me around the home. Instead, if he has something to say, he seeks me out or calls directly. I - I honestly had not even noticed.
Oh, you make a good point there. I suppose that since I told him, Knickolas has been very careful to never leave notes for me around the home. Instead, if he has something to say, he seeks me out or calls directly. I - I honestly had not even noticed.
It's a perfect read on Rue. As much as they love event planning, there is just something so joyful about being able to dress others in clothing they enjoy.
"Then would be perfect. I'll have a better approximation of the costs of fabric and if I must order out of the shop. But I promise, I won't leave you waiting for very long."
"Then would be perfect. I'll have a better approximation of the costs of fabric and if I must order out of the shop. But I promise, I won't leave you waiting for very long."
Oh, then he's already taken those steps? That's wonderful to hear.
[Proud of you from over here, Hob. Good job buddy.]
Perhaps it would do you both good if you acknowledge it and tell him that behaviour is what you need. And of course to communicate any other behaviours he could show you that would reassure you the same way.
[Proud of you from over here, Hob. Good job buddy.]
Perhaps it would do you both good if you acknowledge it and tell him that behaviour is what you need. And of course to communicate any other behaviours he could show you that would reassure you the same way.
[Rue's paw stills against Casey, just for a brief moment.
Their Leo but older? Could such a thing truly be real? Was Casey's sensei really brought here to Folkmore at some point? The turtle of the future brought to the past of the fox's realm, it sounds utterly absurd and yet -]
Oh darling, I -
Their Leo but older? Could such a thing truly be real? Was Casey's sensei really brought here to Folkmore at some point? The turtle of the future brought to the past of the fox's realm, it sounds utterly absurd and yet -]
Oh darling, I -
[wait what] What do you mean possessed?
[not to have son possession trauma BUT]
[not to have son possession trauma BUT]
I-I mean-!
[How the heck else does he explain it.]
It's a thing that the Hamato ancestors can do. Using their ninpo... it happened to April, a long time ago. [Well, it was a long time ago in his time, at least.] Gram-Gram possessed her, it's how they learned to use their mystic powers. It's why I look like this.
[He gives the outfit and cloak a meaningful, protective pat. Definitely not something he's ever been seen wearing before.]
[How the heck else does he explain it.]
It's a thing that the Hamato ancestors can do. Using their ninpo... it happened to April, a long time ago. [Well, it was a long time ago in his time, at least.] Gram-Gram possessed her, it's how they learned to use their mystic powers. It's why I look like this.
[He gives the outfit and cloak a meaningful, protective pat. Definitely not something he's ever been seen wearing before.]
Maul gave a slow nod. "Then I shall make sure I have plenty of Lore when I return." Much as he didn't like interacting with people for the most part, he had enough friends and people he found tolerable to be able to stand to be around them long enough to gain some Spoons.
"Is there anything else you need from me or shall I leave you to it?" Maul asked Rue.
"Is there anything else you need from me or shall I leave you to it?" Maul asked Rue.
[Rue's paw moves to Casey's forehead, brushing the hair from his face, talons dancing across his cheeks, big eyes just a little too unblinking as they take in their son's appearance.
For all this talk of possession, at least Casey seems fine now, but forgive Rue if there's a tremor of fear of it happening again after what happened to Hunter.]
And you're certain you are alright?
For all this talk of possession, at least Casey seems fine now, but forgive Rue if there's a tremor of fear of it happening again after what happened to Hunter.]
And you're certain you are alright?
[He's quick to nod, not wanting to leave them hanging, holding still as they examine him. He is fine, besides looking as if he's lacking sleep or a shower.]
I'm fine! It was only for a few minutes. He... [Casey hesitates, then, fingers curling in the fabric of the cloak, taking a shuddering breath.] He's gone, now.
[From Casey's body, but also... from this world. It's a painfully bittersweet feeling; he'd had no desire to hold on to the soul that had reached out to him, needing his body to be his own. To have something else inside him, communicating with him and possibly controlling him, has been a fear of his since early childhood. But it was sensei, and the last time they'd likely ever cross paths. He was so hard to let go of.]
I'm fine! It was only for a few minutes. He... [Casey hesitates, then, fingers curling in the fabric of the cloak, taking a shuddering breath.] He's gone, now.
[From Casey's body, but also... from this world. It's a painfully bittersweet feeling; he'd had no desire to hold on to the soul that had reached out to him, needing his body to be his own. To have something else inside him, communicating with him and possibly controlling him, has been a fear of his since early childhood. But it was sensei, and the last time they'd likely ever cross paths. He was so hard to let go of.]
[It's such a silly, shameful thing to feel, but hearing Cad speak it aloud, truly acknowledging the change that Rue had hardly even noticed, it sparks a burst of appreciation within them for their husband-to-be.
Has Rue been blowing their worry up for nothing?]
That is very sound advice, Caduceus. Thank you. I think that is a good first step to take.
Has Rue been blowing their worry up for nothing?]
That is very sound advice, Caduceus. Thank you. I think that is a good first step to take.
Not to worry, Rue undercharges like crazy. Just don't tell their sons.
"Unless you might like to stay for tea, of which you are welcome to, that is all the information I need for now."
"Unless you might like to stay for tea, of which you are welcome to, that is all the information I need for now."
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