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what is victory - Deimos - 07-17-2025
With plans, fun ones, like excursions and special anniversaries to attend, Deimos figured he could meet up with Alys other by the myriad of islands dotting Torchline’s changing terrain. Without the multitude of binding circumstances flickering against him, save for the constant ones involving his region, the air around his shoulders had lightened. No ridges and notches and parallels dragging down the length of his spine. No additional plunges into the dominions of self-doubt and dread. No harsh outlines of trepidation and horrors on the horizon.
Merely the breath of relief – which still hadn’t managed to quite sink in all the way.
[say]“Figured here would be a good spot,”[/say] he shrugged to Alys; good as any. He could honor each Old God in turn, though Safrin’s would be the largest – and not forgo anything. [say]“How have things been?”[/say] Especially after the whole Family had gone – and though he didn’t care about where Talyson ended up in the multitudes, he did have compassion for his friend.
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-17-2025
It was a relief to see Deimos looking well, even more so when she felt the way that his emotions had settled since she'd last seen him. Of course, it was to be expected, given everything that had transpired since then, but she was so used to seeing him worked to the bone, worried about everyone and everything, that it was still a pleasant surprise to find otherwise.
They'd come out today to the ever-changing Kuali'i Isles to make their offerings to the Old Gods, and Alys nodded as Deimos stopped at a nondescript spot to do just that. [say]"Here is fine,"[/say] she agreed, setting down her things and stretching her arms over her head. She'd start to work on her offerings in a moment. First, she wanted to take in the vista that the pretty islands dotting the horizon provided.
[say]"Well, the Family is gone, so there's plenty of cause for celebration,"[/say] Alys pointed out, shooting a smile at her friend. [say]"I was able to find a rose, and I used it to cure Tal. He's... recovering."[/say] But she would leave the topic there; well aware of the tension between her partner and her friend, she didn't want to overshare. [say]"And otherwise, things are... quiet. Peaceful, almost, though I hesitate to say so out loud for fear of jinxing it."[/say]
RE: what is victory - Deimos - 07-20-2025
A reaction for the notions of Talyson being healed were kept under wraps – indifference, nonchalance, the permanent recoil of quiet, locked away disdain – any sentiments shown outwardly were for Alys alone. A relief, at the very least, that she wouldn’t have to keep searching and plodding around for roses, no longer worried over the illness the Messenger carried. [say]“Good. Congratulations.”[/say] The small smile tucked its way into the corner of his mouth, before his eyes went elsewhere, staring over the vast horizon. [say]“It feels strange – for it to be so quiet.”[/say]
He arched his brow, amused at her reaction too – possibly because it mirrored some of his own. Always waiting for the next thing to drop. For the unwavering round of chaos to billow and sway, slowly drift over them before it sunk over their shoulders, trapped into a noose. [say]“Or maybe it has become habitual to expect the worst.”[/say] He’d be amongst the first to admit it. But when there were threats hovering over loved ones and regions every second of every day, it became difficult to presume anything less.
And now, here they were, preparing offerings instead of plans and plots.
Still, never quite idle for long, he began to peel his bag off his shoulder, already searching through portions he’d snagged and grabbed for each Old God.
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-20-2025
The feelings that Deimos kept under wraps were dutifully ignored. That one of her dearest friends and her partner were continually at odds was something that Alys knew she would never be able to change, however much it might irk her. Instead, she took the congratulations at face value, shooting Deimos a smile and a quiet, [say]"Thanks."[/say]
As for the world they lived in and expecting the worst, Alys might have pointed out that it was a learned behavior that had been very much earned over seasons of suffering, but it seemed just as prudent to say, [say]"Perhaps now you can take a vacation?"[/say] She grinned at Deimos impishly. [say]"I daresay you've earned it."[/say] Several times over, if you asked her, but she was well aware that it was unlikely that Deimos would follow this particular bit of friendly advice. She'd never known him to sit still for long, after all, even before everything with the Family.
RE: what is victory - Deimos - 07-21-2025
It could’ve been something out of sagacity, but Deimos had unfortunately lived in multiple worlds where multitudes went awry about every other week. Wise not to mention it, as he pulled out motions and notions for Frey, including fruit from Halo’s greenhouse, he arched his brow at Alys’s inquiry, snorting alongside. [say]“A vacation,”[/say] he mused, as if the semblances had never occurred to him. In the past few years, it felt like blasphemy to even think of taking time off or away from the ongoing crisis – there were always people to warn and things to guard and places to protect. Then the portions of war themselves, roaming and going and preparing from one battle to the next.
Sighing, his eyes went upward, glancing along the water’s edge as he placed a bowl of cream amidst the sand, sprigs and cuts of saplings. [say]“Maybe,”[/say] he finally relented. He’d have to talk to Evie about it and see if there was something more than musing in it; she’d probably readily agree and then he’d have to put actual plans into motion. [say]“After all the void creatures are out of Halo,”[/say] was more of an accommodation for himself. [say]“Where would you go?” [/say]
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-21-2025
[say]"Yes, a vacation,"[/say] Alys laughed, bending to grab her own pack. From it, she pulled out some dried herbs from her garden, meant for Frey, and began to arrange them just so. [say]"You know, a thing people do to relax."[/say] A breeze caught one of her sprigs of lavender, and Alys caught it just before it rolled away. [say]"I hear people like beaches, especially in colder weather."[/say] Ah, but how nice would it be to stretch out upon the sand without a care in the world, dipping one's toes in the warm seas of Torchline?
She paused in her arranging at his question, tilting her head thoughtfully to one side. [say]"Hmm. Probably somewhere I haven't been before. Or somewhere special to me."[/say] Various places came to mind, but none stuck out at first glance. [say]"Or,"[/say] she added, teasing and playful, [say]"You could always do a staycation, if you thought you could sit still for long enough."[/say] A difficulty for the Sword, most likely, given that everyone seemed keen to pester him for something or other, and if he stayed home, it would be all too easy to find him.
RE: what is victory - Deimos - 07-21-2025
Earth magic, commanded and demanded from his ichor, spilled forth amidst the sprigs and seeds, and he watched as they grew into steady saplings, tall and stalwart enough to be able to fend things and survive on their own. Arranging the fruit and cream for Frey as well, he laughed in return and volley of Alys’s humor; content maybe that they could utilize jocular tones after everything. [say]“I have relaxed before. It just does not last long.”[/say] And did it count if it was forced? Usually from Evie – and never quite lasting more than a day or two. [say]“There is always something.”[/say] Especially when running a region, as the Seer would find or discover on her own with commitments to regions and their councils.
But then she was mulling over the possibilities, and content with his portions for Frey, he was rummaging through his bag once more for contributions to Ludo, some space away from the isle’s newfound boughs and branches. His brows furrowed in thought, listening – there were few places he hadn’t been, such as the open sea or the some of the interior of Starfall, and the latter wasn’t bound to be a good spot for a retreat.
The semblances of a ‘staycation’ earned a massive eyeroll and a low rumble. [say]“They would still find me.”[/say] Pondering over places again, he wondered if the Evergreen would be open to using the cabins once more, or simply taking a moment to the seas and tide. [say]“I do enjoy the ocean.”[/say] They had some special places too, woven in and out of different areas, but a scarce few without some laden trauma.
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-22-2025
With Alys's offering to Frey arranged just so, and anchored by a bowl of ripe fruit, she moved on to Safrin. The goddess had perhaps been the most challenging for the seer to prepare an offering for, but she'd done her best all the same: pulling a lantern from her bag, she set it down upon the ground. It was beautifully decorated with stained glass that depicted the night sky; lighting it made the stars dance and wriggle, almost as though they were alive.
[say]"Being capable of relaxing and actually doing it are very different things,"[/say] Alys reminded Deimos with a laugh, rotating the lantern so that her favorite side faced them. [say]"Perhaps you should put up a sign outside your office. 'If this is your problem, then that is your solution.'"[/say] It would, no doubt, be quite the long list, but perhaps it would ward off those who needed him for things that could easily be solved through other channels.
That the ocean held Deimos's favor was noted; Alys nodded, agreeing with a simple, [say]"Me, too."[/say] Then, thinking of something: [say]"What kinds of places does Erebos like?"[/say] Because that, surely, would be a consideration for any vacation Deimos was to take.
RE: what is victory - Deimos - 07-23-2025
Pulling out Ludo’s impending gifts, he glanced over to Alys’s clear distinctions towards Safrin, smiling for the lantern aspects, before he placed the licorice, butterscotch, and root beer barrels amidst the sand, beginning to turn over his palms to create a semblance of figurines. Castle-structured, they came with assorted toy soldiers and cannons, depictions glowing from his hand and into the miniature fortifications. [say]“I have, promise. Usually for a day or so. When forced.”[/say] He huffed a sigh as if the whole aspect put even more upon him, put he’d endure the needling.
[say]“Gods, I do not want them anywhere near my office.”[/say] He’d escaped out the windows so many times, at least with the one in the council hall, and the barracks container was a much more pleasing aspect to him anyway. [say]“Erebos does not seem picky.”[/say] Reflecting on the child’s journey, since he traversed where his parents lingered, he’d already seen Torchline (at several days old, given the tournament before the Family imploded upon the scene), the Greatwood, King’s End, and a mass of Halo. [say]“Maybe we can hide away somewhere in Torchline for a little bit. Next season, when Deepfrost likes to have its hold on Halo.” [/say]
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-23-2025
Relenting, Alys huffed a soft laugh as she arranged the lantern just so. When she was happy with her offering for Safrin, she moved on to Ludo. For it, she had procured a deck of playing cards and a set of weighted dice, which would always land on snake eyes when rolled. She hoped that the deity would like its gifts; aside from it being Mort's herald, she really didn't know much about it aside from what she could learn from talking to people or reading books.
Escaping Halo during Deepfrost was always welcome, even for its inhabitants. Alys remembered winters upon the tundra all too well. Even with the protection of the Arcane Academy, she'd been cold during those frigid nights. Torchline would be a welcome escape. [say]"That sounds nice,"[/say] she agreed. [say]"If I see you there, I will do my best not to need anything."[/say] Seeing as how their meetings usually ended in training sessions or the like, simply sharing a moment to honor the gods was a welcome change - one that she would do her best to continue into the next season.
RE: what is victory - Deimos - 07-24-2025
On amusement, he created a miniature trebuchet too, figuring Ludo would have ample amounts of fun and intrigue by launching things against or upon anything combative. [say]“You mean you do not want to be part of the problem?”[/say] He winked and teased – a taunt for mirth’s sake – as he’d never considered Alys to be any portion of trials nor tribulations. In fact, she’d been amongst the fold who told him to stop overworking.
Satisfied with the collection he’d created and assembled for Ludo, he moved on to Safrin’s, moving a little further away so he’d have ample room for everything he intended to unfurl. Perusing through his bag once more, he started taking out portions already pre-planned and orchestrated, including a set of lights. [say]“Were you planning on going to the masquerade?” [/say]
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-24-2025
Pleased with her offerings, Alys stood, stretching out her arms over her head as she looked to Deimos and his creations. She identified each of the two gods he'd finished with easily enough, snorting softly at the sight of a small trebuchet for Ludo. She wasn't sure exactly what the deity might do with such a toy, and frankly, she wasn't sure she wanted to find out.
[say]"I do my best not to be a bother,"[/say] she said with a grin, but there was a kernel of truth to it; she didn't like adding to her friend's burdens, not when he carried so many already. At least today, there was nothing to place upon him aside from good tidings. [say]"I am. I still need to make a costume, though. How about you?"[/say]
RE: what is victory - Deimos - 07-25-2025
When he found a suitable spot amidst the ground and dunes, he paused, beginning to let his earth incantations unfurl. In broad strokes and patterns, the incantations flowed through the sand, causing smaller, then deeper rifts, following one after another, encouraged, commanded, and demanded at his direction. It all contorted and rippled at his discretion, at the image persistent in his mind, concentration and focus honed enough between discussion and offerings that he could smile in Alys’s wake, glancing at her with a teasing lilt to his gaze, before furrowing his brows at the presentation.
[say]“Yes. I plan on making the whole family some costumes.”[/say] Head tilting, he laughed again, shaking his head. [say]“Not sure if I can ever be reasonably disguised though.”[/say] Not unless he had his invisibility cloak; his height and physique was typically noticeable, despite his best efforts at blending into shadows on the best days. [say]“I trust you can pretend I will be unrecognizable.”[/say]
RE: what is victory - Alys - 07-27-2025
Alys watched as earth shifted and maneuvered under Deimos's ministrations, intrigued by whatever it was he was designing and content to observe for the moment. She was certain that an image was beginning to form, though she couldn't quite determine what it was as of yet. Surely it would come to light in the near future.
[say]"Ah, so they will find you even at the masquerade,"[/say] Alys said, tsking. Then she lifted a hand, wiggling her fingers. [say]"I could always illusion you. Give you a proper disguise."[/say] It was a far cry from the conversations they'd once had about her magic - back when it had been all but useless, and Alys not creative enough to know what to do with it. Now she'd really grown into it, and to be able to offer it to her friend - however teasingly - was a nice change, indeed.