[July catchall] There's no safe place, no sanctuary

[ezra_of_lothal]

Who: Ezra Bridger ezra_of_lothal and you!
What: a july catch-all with various semi-open starts
When: Post-boatgate, mid Chara's rampage, and the rest of the month
Where:  Centered around Cassandra, but could be anywhere 

Content Warnings: Violent death, grief, hauntings. May be updated here and have cws in thread subject lines

Comments

[ezra_of_lothal]

The telekinesis doesn't work, given that he doesn't have a physical form, but he reflexively flinches away, anyway. And then tries to take a nonexistent breath to let go.

...how is he even supposed to process emotional reactions like this?

"Yeah. I, um, I'm sorry to just show up? I don't have a lot of control over where I, um. I'm gonna go with 'manifest', right this second."

[hammerbearer]

There might have been a few objects shot past Ezra, since the push had been somewhat hasty in execution. Maybe even through him? Well either, Gaia's gaze and manner are what one might called cool and calculative, in contrast to her startled reaction. It last only a moment, as a more normal expression returns by the time she's recognized the intruder and said his name.

Though Gaia does firmly cross her arms (probably a bit embarrassed at being caught unaware) and fixes Ezra with a perturbed expression.

"Where did you even... no, you just said that," the teen huffs a sigh. She might still be a bit wary mind you. Ghostly figures have cropped up in problems of months past. Even if this one is being kindly and Ezra-like.

"How did you end up like this... this whatever is going on?" She gestures at... well, all of Ezra.

[ezra_of_lothal]

"Well." He holds himself still for a beat. "I died. And this is how I came back."

[hammerbearer]

"You died?" It's still an instinct to have that sort of reaction. Though it does appear to occur to Gaia moments later that it's not uncommon to die and come back. Squidncarnation. People aren't supposed to become ghosts partway.

The teen crosses her arms and gives Ezra a look. "So, you're not a ghost." She seems fairly certain. But that's only because from her perspective, he's definitely not. Probably.

She steps forward and a hand stretches out, probably to try and touch the other's shoulder if he doesn't step back.

"So you didn't come back properly and now you're stuck as some sort of noncorporeal state?"

It appears this concept isn't beyond her experience.

"I think there's others who've had problems. I heard rumors but hadn't met anyone until now."

[ezra_of_lothal]

Ezra does step back, but mostly because he doesn't want either of them to be accidentally hurt somehow.

"Other Sleepers who've died? Or something else?" he checks. "And I guess it depends on your definition of ghost."

[hammerbearer]

"Died, but come back... well, different." No one she's personally known. But... still. Gaia doesn't pursue the matter of scientific validity through poking. Dropping her hand, she tilts her head to one side and looks at Ezra thoughtfully.

"What people call ghosts I know of are just... fragments of memories and emotions given form, I guess. Generally not in a good way either, so you have to get rid of them."

With sword and magic but let's not go into detail about that because it probably wouldn't be a good idea to bring up 'hey I can probably hurt you if I wanted to' in casual conversation with... well, a ghost.

"You're more like..." Gaia trails off, as if catching herself in a comparison that wouldn't be kind and briskly continues. "Well anyway! I don't suppose you can become more solid, can you?"

First things first, apparently. Addressing how to get Ezra back to 'normal' can come later.

[ezra_of_lothal]

"Oh. There are stories of ghost like that, back home, sure. And strong emotions - trauma - can leave, uh, psychic imprints. But I know it's also possible for people to make contact of a sort from beyond death. And for strong Force sensitives to maintain consciousness in a way, for a long time. But my impression it is requires training. Not any sort I ever got."

He shakes his head.

"Well, I'm still learning about how this works. Let me try." He goes still and tries to bring his focus and will to bear, even more strongly. .

He gets a little bright, maybe. A little less see through.

[hammerbearer]

"I suppose it's like that. Imprints that is. Just that it's far more likely to take on form and attack you back home."

Gaia sounds and looks intrigued though. The Force, for all its users mention a 'simple' (relatively!) philosophy of 'Light' and 'Dark', really sounds a lot like how things work back home. Maybe it's just different approaches after all.

"...So, it might not be the same, but there's people that have done that back home. The whole 'able to remain in a non-corporeal form' bit I think you're mentioning. People are also able to take a physical one. I knew a few people that had been separated from their bodies and they were able to touch things just fine."

Of course that was a whole mess for them. Gaia won't be unpacking all that however; for one it's probably not relevant. Two, she only remembers bits and pieces. Instead she focuses on Ezra as the young man tries to solidify, for lack of better work.

"Well that did something at least. You're more 'here' if nothing else." That's.... encouraging, Gaia. Really. Especially with you squinting like that to try and see the distinction of 'slightly less see-through'.

"Is it making you tired though?" Gaia pauses to ponder. "If it's taxing, I could try to channel some aether to you and see if that helps."

Things shouldn't go wrong then, right?