deercountry | Catacombs, Pai Sho, and seeking the Moon Spirit

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Catacombs, Pai Sho, and seeking the Moon Spirit

Who: Iroh & Open
What: End of March catch all
When: Last two weeks of March
Where: Catacombs, Gaze, & Salt Lake

Content Warnings: Mentions of war and death likely, will update as needed

A: Careful what you wish for
The catacombs were a very tempting place, ones in which it was very important for one to stop and look inward least they become lost or caught in the many different traps that were there. The patience to ensure that the water was safe to drink and traverse. Fire was an unforgiving thing, even in a spirit in which the flames of courage roared, but those flames gave off no heat compared to the ones of Iroh's past or that he commanded now. Materials goods held little meaning when they were devoid of sentimental value, and so the temptation was fleeting and easy to ignore. Through each of these challenges, Iroh would offer his assistance and guidance to those who might have faltered, or who were searching for a way through the catacombs.

Now he stands before the warning, 'THE KINDNESS OF THE WORLD IS BEHIND YOU: HELL IS AHEAD. AS ABOVE, SO IS BELOW. THAT WHICH HAS BEEN, WILL RETURN AGAIN.' and feels the darkness that stares at him. The shortcomings and transgressions of his past weigh heavily on his shoulders. But he refuses to turn back and simply stands there, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"If you look for the dark, it is all you will ever see."

B: A game of intuition and speed, but slow methodical strategy
After the adventures in the catacombs, Iroh was in need of some time to relax and gather his thoughts. There had been much of trench that had been rather worrying, and yet just as much that was fascinating. The people of the city were just as varied and it was strange seeing so many different backgrounds and cultures collected in one place, something which pleased him quite a bit. Still, though there were some familiar comforts of home which he had come to long for a bit, Jasmine Tea and his own bed being among them. But there was another which now was laid out on a table before him.

Among the various tables that littered Gaze and the school sat an old man with a board and array of tiles before him. Setting them into place seems to bring a small grin though there was only a handful that he knew of that had any knowledge of the game in this world. Still, Iroh was more than happy to teach any who were interested.

C: Spirits are not to be trifled with.
Iroh had heard stories of amazing things that occurred, those that came to pass beneath the full moon. Of course, Iroh was the kind to need to investigate such things on his own, to see the spirits of this world at world and marvel at their splendor. So as the full moon began to rise, he made his way to the salt lake. No light other than the small flame conjured in his hand as he left the lights of the city and ventured out into the wilderness, finding beneath the light of the moon that the flame was barely necessary. The lake which had always been black and devoid of light, beneath the silver tendrils of light from the moon, now glowed pink. It seemed to be brimming with life and energy, almost as if it were a portal to another world or a time before the corruption.

"Such a magnificent sight. It is truly the work of the spirits."

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It was not often that Vira-Lorr came out here. The reason was simple. Cynthia had sometimes been sighted here, and she had little wish or interest to disturb the Moon Presence, as she was now called. Her relationship with the Pthumerians was a complicated and at times unpleasant thing. But she'd been informed of the recuperative qualities of this lake. and, finally, she had come. It had been months, but she'd finally ventured this far out of the city.

When she heard another voice, her head tilted and then turned, taking old Iroh in and bowing. "I see I'm not the only one exploring tonight."

"I hope that I'm not intruding. There have been many stories about this place and I wanted to see it for myself."

He returned the bow, he truly had not expected to come across another and hoped he hadn't disrupted them in any way. It was clear to him though that the stories were not ones that had been made up and that they were indeed very accurate. In a way, it reminded him of the oasis at the North Pole. Stepping a little closer he allowed the light in his hand to go out as he marveled at the water.

"I am surprised that there are not more that would explore such a wonder."

"You are not. It is perhaps best if we are both here to begin with. I know a few who would chide for coming alone." True, her omen was with her, and she was better able to defend herself these days, but the concern was real all the same. She smiled over at him and looked back towards the lake quietly.

"I believe that it is the fear of monsters that keep most at bay. Those who do venture this far are the sort to want to venture farther."

"Those who would only do so out of care."

Not that Iroh had any here to chide him just yet, and despite his age he was far from being able to handle himself. Even without the gifts from this world that others had he had those he'd honed over years and the experience of a lifetime of conflict.

"Many things that become threatening in the dark, become welcoming when we shine a light on them. In an oasis such as this, I do not think we need to fear such things."

Yeah, well... their excuse with her was just how many times she'd died in the nightmare. A few people tended to think she had a bit of a death wish from time to time. Presently, though, everything seemed safe as the water glowed under the light of the full moon. She knelt beside the water, running her fingers along the edge.

"I am told it is only like this at certain times of the month, when Cynthia's gaze upon it is unobstructed."

"When the moon is fullest and shines its light upon it, that is what I have read as well. And it seems to be, this place has been blessed by her and perhaps carries a small part of her essence. A gift that was given to heal weary bones."

Cynthia, it was the first time that he had come across the name of the Pthumerian. Often she was just noted as the moon presence. Iroh glanced towards the moon where the spirit must reside, was this perhaps where she crossed into this world from her own or was it just one spot for weary travelers lost at night?

"They say beneath the full moon it provides incredible healing properties, soothes the soul, and grants one a peaceful mind. Though I have heard the same claims made of many hot springs back home as well. The trick is to get the temperature of the water just right."

Iroh found Jasmine Tea a way to relax, Kaneki found books the best method. Ever since he got out of the jungle and catacombs, he hasn't been well, but books bring him a sense of familiarity that he deeply cherishes. After a visit to the library - where he got lost, truth to be told - and after grabbing several different books, Kaneki opts to take a walk around Trench.

And that's when he comes across Iroh, noticing the game. Oh, the didn't know that existed in this place. That's nice, Kaneki remembers playing a little bit before.

And then he realizes he is staring, feeling embarrassment hit because of it, and quickly turning to leave - hopefully the man didn't notice - but as fate demands it, Kaneki ends up almost tripping and books fall right onto the floor.

"C-crap!" he mutters that. Nice going, Kaneki, you are great at this!

Lexi had gotten through the mosquitoes and mud, having cleaned herself off as soon as she could, though still sporting some rather large mosquito bite welts, some many times over the usual size.

She'd gotten through the puzzle, which seemed like the sort of thing she'd find in a video game. Looking at it that way, it was relatively easy to figure out.

But when she'd gotten to that point, that awful point with the sign and the dark hole and the something which seemed to be staring at her, judging her from afar, she froze. She'd always been hard on herself, but she feels especially awful now, thoughts of how she'd failed her dad, her mom, her sister, and Rue running through her head.

She was holding a hedgehog in her hand, holding him so he could snuffle at her neck reassuringly, but she was beyond being reassured. Her eyes were squeezed closed and she was pressed as closely as she could to the wall.

That was when she heard the voice. She partially opened one of her eyes, trying to reassure herself that she wasn't seeing a ghost.

"I'm sorry. W--what did you say?"

They've been through a wringer of various traps that felt more and more like tests. Of which Allen has been incredibly grateful to the older man being there with such a calming presence and sometimes nudge in the right direction. That one room had just been full of so much food and he'd been so hungry by that point, even if he knew better...

Or when he walked straight off the cliff and almost tumbled headlong into the spore clouds, but at least his reflexes were quick enough to catch himself on the edge. That was at least one time his knack for plunging headfirst into something got the better of him.

So he's standing with him before that void as well. Straight on, shoulders consciously squared. He won't look away either, both from stubbornness and because he isn't that sort of person, but unlike Iroh he's looking straight into the abyss. It eats further at him the more he does, tugging at every regret he feels, and making them burble up in his chest in a way that makes him wonder if he's insane, because he wants to say them. He never says them. So Iroh catches him a little offguard when he speaks.

But when he does, it strikes Allen like a hammer with such a strong sense of deja vu.

"I'm back, Allen... the darkness has returned to you."
"If you don't want me to see it, I won't look! But please... please don't disappear into the darkness."

He takes a quick breath, the air stinging his nostrils from how sharply he drew it, gaze snapping to Iroh in a manner that's almost alarmed by how close to home, how much sense that seems to make. How familiar.

And how much it makes his left eye suddenly ache.

"What did you say?"

He says it like he knows exactly what he said, but is still in disbelief.

Edited 2022-03-23 19:40 (UTC)

Vira-Lorr was decidedly stubborn about calling her Cynthia. She knew her as the mortal woman that had been Julia's mother, and she trusted her more as that than the incredibly powerful moon presence. So, she stuck to calling her what she wanted.

She chuckled and while she sat beside the water, running her fingers along it. there was a light tingle that shot up her arm, feeling so much less pained or aching even from the small contact. "Many things in this reality are themselves magical. But a good hot spring can do wonders even without magic. You just need the right salts. Have you thought to try this water?"

Iroh did not mind in the least that the boy seemed to have been studying him, perhaps he was simply too nervous to venture over and say hello. It was about that time that the boy seemed flustered enough that books go flying. Of course, Iroh was sympathetic, getting up from the table and helping him to gather the tomes that he had dropped.

"Are you alright? You have quite a few books, you must be a scholar."

"My apologies, I didn't mean to startle you or interrupt your thoughts. You just looked rather worried and lost. I simply meant that if you dwell on the darkness and pain of your past and present, then it is all that you will ever see. Rather than looking to the darkness, you must look for the light, that is how you will find the way out."

Though Iroh knew well that it was something that was easier said than done. But often it was easier to do so with the help and encouragement of another, for when you were helping someone else you often wound up helping yourself in the process.

"You look like you could use something to drink. Would the two of you care to join me as I take a short rest and have some tea?"

"If you look for the dark, it is all you will ever see."

Iroh repeated the words of wisdom soundly enough. It was a lesson that he had learned many years ago, and it was a lesson that was timeless. But there was more to it than that, because all things were balanced for if there was dark there was light. If there was pain and despair then there was hope and happiness as well.

"However, if you look for the light, you will often find it. And many things that become threatening in the dark, become welcoming when we shine a light on them."

Iroh now offered a small reassuring smile at the boy.

"So we don't need to worry about the dark, so long as we can see the light."

"It was the reason for my journey actually. To see if the rumors were true, though if so then it a rare opportunity to be able to enjoy them. You certainly wouldn't want to drift off or lose track of time in them."

Because when the moon was gone, it would be a far different story to tell and the darkness of the night and this land would be reflected back in the lifelessness of the water.

"I had hoped to take a little with me as well."

Lexi tries to smile, but she's afraid that it looked more like a rictus. "I--I guess I am. Worried. And lost. I've never been anywhere without being with my mom and sister, not for so long. I'm not sure how to look for the light."

She tried. But Cassie had been acting so weird for so long and Rue claimed she was just smoking pot. But Lexi knew what to look for at that point and it was clear that it wasn't just pot. Though, Lexi was smart enough to realize that there wasn't a damned thing she could do about any of it from here.

"Yes, please. I love tea. I, um. I have an account with Adagio Tea back home. Even though mom and Cassie are sick of digging through my bags of tea to find the coffee filters."

Oh no- he did not mean to be so clumsy, and even interrupt the man's game. Kaneki is embarrassed: he is well aware he is a bit awkward and that can be off putting to a lot of people, and he really does not wish to bother other people.

"It's alright- I'm sorry, I was too distracted." he offers a smile, gathering the books, but shakes his head. "I can't say I'm one. I mean, that's the title they give us: Arcane Scholar. But I just enjoy reading."

It's familiar, and it quiets his heart and fades away his loneliness. If he is reading a book, he feels like he is in a different place, and he is not terribly scared or lonely.

"Being away from family and those you care for can be difficult, but often a journey to discover yourself requires some time on your own. A chance to reflect inward and ask yourself the important questions."

Iroh gestured and offered a spot a little bit from the warning, just a little further from the void. And setting down his bag, he began to fish out a teapot and a small box and tea leaves he had managed to find shortly after his arrival.

"Sharing tea with a fascinating stranger is one of life's true delights. I'm glad to have someone who enjoys it as well."

"There is no reason to apologize, and enjoying reading is a very suitable past-time for a young scholar. There's much knowledge to be found in books and scrolls, knowledge from times long ago that otherwise might have been forgotten."

Picking one of them back up, he set atop the stack of others,

"Though they can also contain magnificent tales that take you to another world, and there is no shame in enjoying those texts either."

"I am planning to take some as well. To research the magic. Even if I cannot cast a spell, I can study the process, to better understand it. But I was thinking of testing to see how effective the waters were." She didn't actually mention just how much she'd been dealing with lately, the stresses of her life and the like, of watching some of those she cared about really start to lose the ground they'd made until very recently in improving themselves.

"Nothing to say one can't share the public baths though. We're certainly grown adults, if you were planning to take a dip while the moon shines."

Lexi tried to smile again. "I guess the big question would be who I am. Outside of my mom and sister. Before this, the longest I'd ever spent without them was a week at Girl Scout camp. And...I know I shouldn't be thinking like this, but it'll probably be a long time before I see them again."

She gladly stepped away from the hole, the one which felt like it could see all the way through her and found her terribly insignificant. She didn't need a hole to do that, she often felt that way on her own. She hadn't really had the chance to find her voice back home.

She was amazed to see that he carried what was necessary for a cup of tea with him even down here. All she had with her was Orville and the backpack she found after falling into the catacombs. But her smile this time was more genuine. "So am I. It's---this has been one mess after another and none of it's like anything I've ever had to deal with before. It's hard to know how to cope."

Kaneki certainly agrees; kaneki has learned most things from books himself since he didn't have parents to teach him, so naturally he agrees with those words, smiling in response to them.

"And given everything... I think it's important to have a place like that." another world, where things don't really have to hurt him, and he can just let his imagination go.

Kaneki glances back at the game Iroh was playing once all the books have been gathered. "I'm sorry I interrupted you. What were you playing?"

It has been a little over a week since he transformed into a deer in a desperate attempt to escape immense psychological pain at the very start of March. He's taken to living out in the forest and often wandering the farther shores away from people. And this isn't the first time he's come to the Salt Lake, but it is the first time he's come when someone else was already there.

Usually, when he sees people near the lake, deer instinct and his own more repressed human instincts keep him from approaching. But he remembers Iroh from Mako and Wu's wedding and that one meeting left him with enough of an impression to not hold back from coming over. As he steps out of the dark forest in the green light of the Wild Moon, there is a soft blue glow shrouded around him from the three stars in his antlers and smaller ones glittering around him.

His ears flick as he looks at Iroh and then he projects a question with his mind: 'spirits?'

"There isn't, it's not uncommon for there to be mixed company among popular hot springs. And I was, after all, I've heard such wonderful things about it and it is a rare opportunity."

It had been a long month, and he was quite sore. Plus it was the first opportunity that he'd had for something that was this much of luxury since his arrival not very long ago.

"If you don't mind the company."

"There is nothing wrong with preparing yourself for all possibilities that are likely to come out. From what I have been told some have been here for quite some time without another from their home, whereas others seem to be quite frequent. Asking yourself what you will do without them is an important thing, but it does not mean that you have to give up hope of seeing them again."

Stacking a few pieces of kindling, Iroh started a small fire and set the teapot on top of it, adding water as it began to warm. As for the bag he brought with him, it had been the same that he'd traveled through much of the Earth kingdom. Carrying the few possessions he retained after his exile. He'd brought it here for just this reason, so he would be able to help others find their way.

"Sometimes all you can do is take a moment to simply breathe. From there once you have found your center, you will be able to resume your journey."

"I wasn't playing yet, it's a little difficult to so on your own. But it's called Pai-sho, a game of strategy and intuition that has been passed down through the ages."

A game that is as much philosophy as it was anything and was certainly far more than a simple game to be played. Though it was certainly that as well, especially when one was new to the game and did not yet know of the deeper meanings.

"I was simply laying the tiles out and admiring them, hoping that someone might be familiar with it."

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Catacombs, Pai Sho, and seeking the Moon Spirit

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