deercountry | [007] Heard them calling in the distance

Entry tags:

[007] Heard them calling in the distance

Who: Orpheus (

themuseabandonsyou) and others
What: May catch-all, departure
When: Throughout May
Where: All over Trench

Warnings: Grief (loss of a loved one), body horror (pseudo-beast transformation), returning to the sea

I. So I packed my things and ran

( OTA )( cw: potential discussion of grief, loss of a loved one )

Serenity Garden

II. Far away from all the troubles

( OTA )( cw: body horror (pseudo-beast transformation), potential discussion of grief )

horrible bird

Crenshaw

III. I had caused with my two hands

( Closed to existing CR* )( cw: potential discussion of grief, loss of a loved one, returning to the sea )

that

and

the homes and workplaces

*OOC: If you've threaded with Orpheus even once before you qualify for this!!

IV. Alone we traveled on with nothing but a shadow

( OTA )( cw: potential discussion of grief, loss of a loved one, returning to the sea )

the shore

Wait for me
I'm coming
Wait, I'm coming with you
Wait for me
I'm coming, too
I'm coming too

V. We fled far away (Wildcard)

( OTA )

OOC: Need something else? Feel free to plot with me on Plurk at questionableveracity or Discord at quodVide#2951, or just pop in here with your own prompt.

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[Michael's easy to find - in spite of all the weird changes going around, he's still at his usual spot in his shop. As it's empty at the moment, he's lounging in one of the cushy chairs, feet propped up on a cushion.]

Oh, Orpheus! [He smiles. Mostly, he looks the same as ever, but his eyes are hidden behind a pair of large sunglasses. Has he ever worn those before...?] Sure, come on in.

[ No, those sunglasses are definitely unusual, and manage to distract Orpheus entirely from the reason he's here, at least for the moment. ]

What are those for? [ he asks, gesturing to his eyes, and if it occurs to him that it might be slightly rude to ask so directly he certainly doesn't give any sign. ] Are you having trouble with the sun being back?

[ It was gone for a whole month. Maybe readjusting is just taking longer for some reason. ]

Uhhh, yeah! It's, uh, pretty bright.

[Well, that was not a good lie at ALL by Michael's usual standards! In fairness, he was sort of caught off-guard there.]

Maybe that's just me and my...elderly eyes.

Oh, okay, [ says Orpheus, who, to his credit, does actually sound a little skeptical. He's not sure he wants to press the issue, though, and just looks on with some poorly concealed curiosity as he follows Michael into the shop instead.

He pauses, considering what to say next - or rather, how to say it. Ultimately he decides to just be direct, and let things fall where they may. ]

I, um. I Saw myself returning to the sea, [ he says, glancing away and looking a little conflicted. ] And I think it's going to be soon. So I just... wanted to say goodbye, and thank you.

Oh!

[Michael, even behind his sunglasses, is visibly upset by this information! But, a second later, he remember Eurydice and thinks - maybe he's not supposed to be? His hands flutter in the air, uncertain.]

Oh - wait, really?

[ The conflict in Orpheus's expression remains clear, but he smiles - as much to try to be reassuring as because he is genuinely glad about it, underneath the weight of everything else. He nods, and says; ]

I don't know if I'll find Eurydice, out there. It's a big ocean? And... I don't really know how 'me' I'll be, when I'm in it. But if it means a chance of being together again, I'll be ready to go. When it's time.

Oh, I'm sure you will eventually. You've got all the time in the world.

[Maybe that isn't comforting for a human, but Michael's not thinking from that perspective; he's an immortal, of course he's got an immortal's sense of time in some ways. It doesn't even matter how long it takes, necessarily, when you've got forever after that as well.

He's still frowning, though.]

But I'm sorry to see you go.

[ Orpheus nods - it's more comforting than one might think, really. ]

I know. I'm sorry to be going? I wish it weren't - between her, and the rest of the world. Not that this is me choosing, but...

[ He looks down at his hands, fidgeting with the strap of his guitar and in front of him. They both know what he'd pick, if it was his choice. ]

I've, um. Never been very good at saying goodbye. But I thought it would be worse if I just left.

No, no, I...I understand.

[He understands, at least, that it isn't really a choice. Eurydice wouldn't have left Orpheus here like this in the first place, if it were a choice. It's a little like...when humans die, he guesses? It just happens.

And if Orpheus would have chosen anyway...well. Michael can't expect to be chosen over Eurydice.]

You're right, that would have been worse. At least this way, we can...talk one last time, I guess. That's...that's what people try to do, right?

[ Orpheus nods. ]

Right. And I guess... thank each other, for all the things that seemed to obvious to thank each other for, in the past. You've been a really good friend, ever since I first showed up in the dream, and I really, um. It means a lot to me.

[ He pauses as something occurs to him, and takes a moment to start going through his bag. ]

Oh, um. Can I ask one last favor of you, though?

[Michael looks both touched and slightly panicked at the realization that he's gonna have to figure out how to say a sentimental goodbye, but this sidetracks him.]

Oh, uh - yeah, sure, what is it?

[ Orpheus produces two small journals from his bag - one with an elegant, off-white leather cover and slightly water-damaged pages and the other a much more tattered-looking affair, well loved and dog-eared many times over. ]

Would you hold on to these for me? Or, um. I don't know if I'll ever be back, so they're yours, if you want them. This one was my mom's [ he gestures to the one with the leather cover ] and the other one is mine. They're just... music and poetry we've written. I thought you might like to have them.

[ He looks a little sheepish about it, like he's being presumptuous somehow by offering them to Michael. But he does think he remembers something about him being able to at least read music, so maybe he's not entirely off base here. ]

Oh...oh, of course.

[Michael seems touched, carefully taking the journals and balancing one close to his chest as he flips through the other. Too quick to really read any of it closely, but...he's tried to write his own music before, and he knows none of it ever held a candle to any of this.

~~The idea of plagarism occurs, but is immediately discarded. Blatantly unethical, and rude besides.~~]

Ah - this is, I'm sorry, this is stupid.

[Why's he bothering now? Michael shifts the books to one hand and reaches up to remove his big glasses. Behind them, his eyes have gone entirely blue, whites and irises both, and his pupils are shaped like big W's. In other words - like that squid from before. He's not sure Orpheus will recognize them from that, but he wants to talk to him properly.]

Thank you, Orpheus. I'll keep them safe for as long as I'm here, I promise.

[ Orpheus just blinks at him uncomprehendingly for a moment before something in the half-buried recesses of his brain clicks into place. It only takes a second for his surprise to be replaced with a fond and slightly sheepish smile - he may not remember much of what it was like to be a beast, but the friendly tentacles did make an impression.

He rubs at his eyes with the back of his hand, wiping away the beginnings of tears. ]

No, I - Thank you. I...

[ At a loss for words, he hesitates for a moment before coming to a decision and stepping in for a hug. ]

Oh - hey, it's...it's fine, bud.

[Michael hugs back readily enough. Maybe he'll always be slightly awkward about these things, but he's also good at faking it until he makes it. Anyway...it's nice.]

Thank you, too. It's been...good.

[ Orpheus steps back and dries his eyes again, smiling. ]

It has. It's been hard, too? But you and everyone else made it - much better than it would've been without you. I'll miss you.

[ He's sure of that, even as he isn't so certain of how much of himself he'll retain once he's out in the ocean. It just feels like such a certain thing. ]

If there's anything I can do for you, before it's time to go, I'd be more than happy to try. Just let me know?

Yeah...

[God. What is there even to do? There's too much, and yet none of it is anything specific.]

Uh...here, c'mere. Let me at least get a picture with you?

It's been awhile since Peter's gotten to have one of Orpheus's guitar lessons. Truthfully, it's been a long time since he picked up his guitar at all. It's practically collecting dust in the corner of his room, tucked against the wall.

Things are strange (aren't they always?) Stranger, in ways. He's tired, in ways that aren't necessarily unfamiliar. Peter doesn't struggle against it, lets the days pass by quietly. Luna's working on a book — a catalogue on Beasthood, to try and help people here. Peter helps her with that, and with John Constantine's old shop on some afternoons, a task left to her and Willow in the man's absence. He was like a father to all of them. He's gone now. Fern and Varian too.

He hasn't seen Orpheus in a bit, but that's become a sort of comfortable routine, in a way. Weeks, even months may pass inbetween a lesson, but Peter knows they'll get around to it inbetween everything, and it's nice. When he sees him approaching, Peter perks up a little from where he's sitting out on the small step in front of the townhouse where he and Luna live.

"Hey," he says, standing, but his little smile pauses. Wavers. Something's wrong. Or— strange.

"Yeah, of course— do you wanna come in?" Peter gestures over his shoulder with his thumb, pointing to the door. "I can make us some coffee, or tea?"

This time the pause in their lessons has probably been more on Orpheus's shoulders than Peter's, what with... everything that's been happening with him since March. He hasn't really been in much of a state to do anything at all up until very recently, and now... well.

He smiles, looking more at ease than he's been in a long time despite the obvious tinge of melancholy.

"Oh, thank you," he says. "That would be nice. I wouldn't mind a cup of coffee, if you can spare it."

It's rarer here than it was in Deerington - a small luxury, in a place so cold and isolated - and he appreciates the offer, especially since it implies Peter has some time to spare for him. He has a lot of people to see in the coming days, but he wants to take his time with each of them. There's no real rush, yet.

"Of course — come on in, dude. I'll hook you up."

...Which is modern teenage speak for, he'll get a cup of coffee for you right away, Orpheus. Luna drinks tea anyway, and Peter is more than willing to sacrifice some of his coffee stash for a friend. It's mostly left over from back when he lived with Henry in Deerington, and some part of him can't help feeling like she'd be glad to know it's still getting some use.

Peter leads Orpheus into the townhouse — it's a cosy space, with its warm fireplace and witchy clutter. It's to the kitchen that he brings his friend, and he gets to work putting some coffee on. While that's going, Peter turns to look at him, still wearing that concern in his features.

"So you... saw something? Is everything okay?"

The decades of linguistic drift between them do trip Orpheus up a little bit, but he's used to spending significant chunks of conversations understanding very little, and here he can get the gist, at least. He follows after Peter, nodding hurriedly when asked whether things are okay.

"Oh! No, everything's fine," he says, holding up a hand. "It's just, um..."

Glancing out one of the windows briefly, he worries his lip. How does he want to say this?

"I had a vision of myself going back to the sea. And I think it's going to happen soon? So I just... wanted to say goodbye to some people, before then."

It doesn't take long for the coffee to start bubbling, a steady sound that's always weirdly nostalgic. Peter remembers his dad having his coffee every morning, how it'd make the kitchen smell good for a few hours after.

He's watching Orpheus with that concern, always so ready to tip towards assuming the worst whenever people have some kind of news or other. But what comes is...

"Oh." Peter says, softly, almost like a gasp. He's been here before, heard a friend tell him that it felt like the sea was calling him back. That the pull was becoming harder and harder to resist. That he knew this was going to be goodbye.

Peter knows how it works, but something in his chest stings with surprise, and his eyelids flutter for a moment. He's quiet, absorbing it slowly. Then—

"...Were you um, scared, in the vision? Or... happy?"

Edited 2022-05-18 23:44 (UTC)

Orpheus thinks about the question for a moment, unsure of the answer himself. His visions tend towards being sort of vague at best, but...

"I was both," he says, finally. "It's - complicated? I don't want to leave everything behind, again." Not when a few months ago he'd just started to feel like Trench could be a real home for him and Eurydice, not when he'd finally made so many friends here. "But Eurydice's out there, and if I can find her again, and be with her, even if it's in a different form, then that's everything."

He'd be lying if he said he hadn't been hoping for exactly this from the moment she'd left. For once the Fates have been kind enough to grant him exactly what he wanted, and as much as it pains him to go he can't help but be grateful.

"I'll be ready, when it's time. But I don't have to go yet, so I wanted to talk to you and the others first. And thank you, for everything."

Peter's listening with all of his focus, brows knitted. As he waits for the coffee, he leans against the counter a bit, arms folded loosely over his chest. There's another little pang within his chest when Orpheus mentions his wife. And Peter gives a soft nod—

"I... understand. Maybe not fully, since it hasn't happened to me yet, but....."

His eyes fall to the floor for a moment as he thinks, reflects back on it.

"....back in Deerington, when the uh.. the dream was ending? And everyone started feeling either the pull to go through that Door, or to... not?" ...And vanish. The options seemed to be to move on, or to... disappear. To where, Peter still doesn't know. Maybe back home?

"I didn't know what was going to happen, but I just knew... I had to stay with Luna. She's my person."

They're not married, but... it's the concept of having that person. The one you have to stay with, no matter what happens. If she went back to the ocean tomorrow, Peter thinks that urge to follow her in would happen very soon, too. There are people you're connected to. People you're supposed to stay with.

"...I'm glad you'll be with her again. Eurydice." Peter blinks against the soft heat at the corners of his eyes, looks back up at his friend with a little smile. "You're the one I should be thanking. I'm gonna miss you."

Orpheus nods in understanding, another melancholy smile crossing his face as Peter describes his decision to stay with Luna.

"It's a precious thing, having someone who means so much to you, and knowing you mean just as much to them," he says. "But, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that? Just. Take care of her, and let her take care of you."

He places a delicate emphasis on that last part, knowing what he does about Peter and his struggles and knowing from his own experience that sometimes knowing when and how to let others look after you is harder than it should be.

"I'll miss you too," he says. "It's - I'm sorry it had to be like this. So soon. But you've been a great friend, through all of this, and if there's anything I can do for you before I go, I'd be happy to try."

Maul is in the garden too and he looks less ferocious than he usually does. He moves his fingers lightly over the plants there. A garden like this, where he can sense the echoes of love and care showered upon the plants and trees there through the Force, brings him peace in a way few things can.

He's been meditating for a bit but now he's back on his feet and feeling more centered than before. He's got two of his pets with him today: the Shuppet that haunts his house and rarely comes out as well as his Mankey that he's named Cranky. The Shuppet fades in and out of existence at whim while Cranky prefers to swing from the treetops.

When Maul sees Orpheus, he approaches him on silent feet. "This place often feels.....good, doesn't it?" Maul says as he comes up behind the singer.

The strange creatures accompanying Maul get Orpheus's attention first, and he glances between them with wide-eyed curiosity before registering that he's been asked a question.

"It does," he agrees, nodding, turning to look at Maul. "There's a lot of care put into every inch of it. It's nice."

He smiles. It doesn't quite reach his eyes, but he's trying his best.

"Who are your friends? I don't think I've seen them with you before." Or anything quite like them anywhere else in Trench. He watches the odd... ball of fluff with arms and legs swing from one of the trees, and waves, wanting to be polite.

"Yes. I can sense the love and care that is put into cultivating it. Such a thing can be felt in the Force," he says. Places often reflected those that made an impression upon them and Airy's presence could be felt by Maul all throughout the garden she'd created. "I like to come here for meditation."

"They are Pokémon, strange beings from another world. The ghostlike one is called Shuppet and that one in the trees is a Mankey. I have named him Cranky." And boy does he live up to his name. "Shuppet rarely leaves the house but they came with me today. Cranky just does whatever he wants." He pulls a chestnut out of his pocket and tosses it to the fluffy monkey-pig, who catches it out of midair and begins to try to open it.

[Vyng pulls back the flap of their Forever Tent — pitched inside Michael's living room, of all places — and invites Orpheus inside with a grin.]

Yeah, sure. Come on in, pal.

[The tent is certainly much bigger than on the inside. It's a fully-furnished yurt with a mudroom, living room, kitchen, and a door marked with a single sticky note sporting the words "DANGER ROOM".]

Would you like some tea?

[ Orpheus starts a little at the way the tent's interior doesn't seem to match up with its exterior, blinking in confusion and glancing around as he tries to take it in. Between that and the DANGER ROOM his train of thought is thoroughly derailed. ]

What?

[ He looks back over at Vyng. ]

Oh, um. Yes, please. If you don't mind.

You got it, pal.

[In the corner, Slippers the arctic wolf — a fluffy creature the size of a pony — gives a quiet boof as she snoozes. At the same moment, Vyng motions Orpheus over toward some floor cushions situated in front of a low-sitting table.]

Here, have a seat.

[ The gigantic wolf gets a nervous glance from Orpheus, though by now he's gotten over enough of his lingering anxiety around dogs not to get too hung up on her presence. He sits down, crosslegged, and shrugs off the straps of his lyre and guitar, setting them down next to him.

He fidgets, all anxious energy and unsure of how to say what he came here to say. ]

I, um. I just wanted to say thank you. For everything.

[Vyng is already in the middle of delicately tapping some loose-leaf tea from a pouch into a diffuser...when he looks up at Orpheus with a grin.]

Aw. That's sweet, buddy. I know it's all stuff you would've done, if our positions were switched.

[But there's a hint of uncertainty in Vyng's tone. After decades of adventuring, he senses an impending goodbye the same way he can detect subtle shifts in the wind while sailing. He can't help but wonder where this is going.]

Oh, of course [ says Orpheus, smiling through the nerves. ] It's just - you were one of the first people I ever talked to, in Deerington, and that was right after I'd lost Eurydice. I still think about what you told me then all the time, and...

[ He takes a deep breath. If he lets himself, he'll keep getting sidetracked and drawing this out indefinitely. Better get to the point. ]

I, um. I Saw myself returning to the sea, and I think it's going to be soon. So I wanted to make sure you knew that, before I went. And to give you this, if you want it?

[ He gestures to the tortoiseshell lyre, propped up against the table. ]

Julia gave it to me, back in the dream. I know it's different from a harp, but, I thought you might like to have it.

...Oh.

[Vyng isn't sure what he expected. This is the first time anyone's told him they were about to return to the sea, before the fact.

Many of his memories from the Dream and beyond are fuzzy. But his first meeting with Orpheus has similarly stuck with him. He saw much of Tuck and Billie's tenacity in the man, and Vyng empathized with his grief.

An uncomfortable weight settles in the pit of his stomach. Vyng's never been good with long goodbyes.]

That's. [He gives a soft smile, in spite of himself, as his gaze falls onto the lyre.] ...That's a beautiful instrument. And from Julia? Wow.

[Vyng gently reaches out for it.]

It came in the blessings basket, a few months after I arrived? Here.

[ He picks it up and hands it over. It's a sturdy, heavy thing, its body built from a polished tortoise shell and its arms from dark-stained, sturdy wood. The off-white skin stretched over the shell is decorated with little paintings of red flowers, their leaves and vines curling across its surface. ]

I can try to teach you some of the basics, before it's time to go? If you want. But either way, it just... seemed important enough to give to someone who'd appreciate it.

((Moved to here.))

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[007] Heard them calling in the distance

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