OPEN POST: THE ANNIVERSARY

[gentleidealist]

THE ANNIVERSARY

[It's been exactly two years since Mithos took over Paradisa. That's two years of delightful massacres, scaring people into the Dead Zone, and manipulating former friends with the ageless face of a Kharlan hero. Two years of your character struggling to hold onto life as they know it while under the shadow of a fearsome ruler from another world. Two years of scraping to get by, cowering in the Dead Zone, waiting for a chance to go home or a death that Paradisa can't-- won't-- give.

There is nothing planned for today, though there are a few whimsical sort of changes that Mithos called for. The angels are on security detail as usual, policing the grounds; however, Mithos and his closest subordinates may be stepping outside. There is a grand feast set up in the ballroom... but angels don't eat, so it's really just for show. The place has the air of a graveyard party where even the dead decide not to attend.

There is an undercurrent of anxiety tonight, a breath held in anticipation. Something is about to happen, and even the insects are quiet.]

CASTLE GROUNDS
INSIDE THE WALLS
THRONE ROOM
BASEMENT
THE OUTSKIRTS
TOWN
DANY'S CAVE
DEAD ZONE SETTLEMENT
THE FOREST

[ooc: HUGE OPEN MINGLING POST for characters who either reside in the castle as angelic little zombies, or people who are returning for whatever reason. Please don't threadjack something without notifying the muns in advance!

You are free to make your own sections if you'd like and I'll add them to this post :)]

Comments

[whichwayyoulean]

[That's probably a good thing, or he would have ended up with an axe to his head. Still, the Once-ler rolls his eyes in response, he doesn't even know what that IS, but Zelos has harked on about his lungs plenty]

Then whatever that is might get me before I'm killed or turned into an angel.

[mors]

[Trying to axe death is not the best idea, Once-ler! Though he would totally deserve it if he had pulled a dick move like that. It only took him three-and-a-half years, but he finally figured out that appearing out of nowhere bothers people, so he tries not to be too alarming these days.]

It's a disease. It fills your body with black sludge.

[It isn't entirely a medically accurate description, but it's what it always looked like to him.]

You aren't going in alone, are you? It's a bad day for it.

[whichwayyoulean]

Then it would be a suitable end to me. [What, with all his pollution and that.

He shrugs, continuing to walk]

I think it's a better day than any. Most of them are at their party.

[mors]

That's awfully depressing, don't you think? You aren't going to be dying any time soon.

[He grins, keeping up with Once-ler pretty easily. He doesn't seem too bothered by the cold attitude.]

You won't mind if I join you in that case, will you?

[whichwayyoulean]

Maybe, maybe not. Considering we're in this mess of a world [and he's pissed Mithos off forever by kidnapping his sister] ...well, you never know what's coming, right?

[Ugh, people. Why does the hermit thing not work, even out here?]

Why? I'm not exactly great company, if you haven't noticed already.

[mors]

Of course not. You should always be prepared for the inevitable. [He grins.] However, I have no intention of letting anyone die today. So as I said, you won't be dying any time soon.

[He instantly seems amused by Once-ler's aversion to the idea. Not in a condescending way, but more in the way of the easily amused.]

You seem like great company to me.

[whichwayyoulean]

[That gets something of a glare] So, what? You're my watcher now, Random Stranger?

[He continues to trudge along, hoping the guy would get bored and leave him alone]

Then you've got a pretty bad idea of what great company is.

[mors]

Ryoji. And no, not really. You could say I have a particular fondness for the people in this world. I watch everyone when I can.

[He certainly doesn't look bored yet! As he walks he shoves his hands into his pockets.]

You know, people have said that about me a lot. So far it hasn't proven true.

[whichwayyoulean]

Ryoji, OK. That fondness will get you killed one day.

[And he's not offering his name, nope]

Then you're in for a treat with me.

[mors]

[That just makes him laugh.]

That would certainly be an adventure, wouldn't it?

I'm sure I am.

[whichwayyoulean]

The word 'adventure' really doesn't cover this mess. Not even a tiny bit.

[mors]

I wasn't talking about this.

[The way he says 'this' doesn't come out entirely pleasant. A little sharper around the edges. It betrays the smile that's still on his face.]

This is very far from an adventure. The adventure will come when this is over.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler rolls his eyes at that, feet crunching over rocks as he makes his way toward the town]

You say that as if this will ever be over.

[mors]

It will be over.

[Ryoji keeps following along steadily, keeping up with relative ease. Though he does pull his hands from his pockets, idly glancing down at them.]

One way or another, it will be over. Two years is hardly a long time for a war to go on.

[whichwayyoulean]

Wow, could your blinding optimism get any louder? Seriously, when you fell out of the tree did you miss every reality branch on the way down?

[mors]

I am extremely aware of reality.

[Ryoji looks up at Once-ler again, and after a pause, he smiles. It's the same slightly-too-sharp expression from just a little earlier.]

I think you're underestimating how much I understand about war.

I have every intention of fighting for this side, and the war will be over eventually. It does not mean it will end in our favor.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler pauses long enough to give Ryoji a pointed look]

Clever with words. Good job you.

[mors]

[And just like that, the not-quite-normal smile is gone.]

That's certainly an interesting way to put it.

[whichwayyoulean]

[The Once-ler shrugs, back to walking]

So. Why fight at all? Why not just go to the dead zones with the other?

[mors]

I do go to the dead zone occasionally. I like to keep in contact with people out there, and waiting for them to come to me has proved inefficient in the past.

However... I fight because I believe in the people who once resided in the Castle. I have seen them do the impossible in the past, and I'd like to see them do it again.

[whichwayyoulean]

How generous of you. Gosh, that was like a hug with words.

[mors]

If my words are hugs then yours are like knives.

[It sounds more like an observation than anything meant to be offensive. Under better circumstances he'd ask what has the guy so uptight, but well... it's pretty obvious what has everyone around here so uptight.]

Why aren't you out in the dead zone?

[whichwayyoulean]

I'm glad you think that, that's exactly what I was aiming for.

[He continues walking, but he does think about that. His primary reason was to get Martel out, but now... He has a few reasons. He needs to do some good, get some atonement. He doesn't want to leave and have his friends die. The woman he loves is still here]

...I've got my reasons.

[mors]

How fortunate for me that knives don't make a habit of working when I'm in the picture.

[It's said with a bit of a laugh.]

It seems most people have their reasons. If you won't offer yours, then I won't ask further.

I don't suppose you'd be willing to give me your name, would you?

[whichwayyoulean]

...Well that's vaguely creepy.

[He considers for a moment, walking in silence, before letting out a sigh]

I'm the Once-ler.