aionlogs | [open & closed]

[ when was it, exactly, that his eyelids had gotten too heavy to keep open in the chaos following their rescue? Abel isn't quite sure; it might've been some time at the tail end of Ernesto's healing ministrations, or maybe it had been after that where the comforting rhythm of Rand's gait where Abel was carried upon the other Martyr's back had lulled him off before he knew it.

either way, he'd been well and truly asleep until the boughs of Greentruth were overhead - and much like a sleepy child coming around, Abel's taking a deep breath of grogginess and mildly fidgeting where he's still being piggybacked, fingers curling in Rand's good sleeve. everything... aches, but in the way of healing wounds rather than injuries left untended and festering, and he knows he's safe.

he's safe, and among friends.

among one friend in particular... who is receiving a groggy: ]

...Rand?

[ in the way of alerting his dutiful chariot he's come 'round again, if that weren't evident enough...! ]

Edited 2022-08-28 23:56 (UTC)

[ two solid days have passed since two wayward Pleroma were returned home to Greentruth.

the majority of their time had been spent in a thorough state of comatose - not the medically concerning kind, mind you, but the sort that comes when one's body crashes upon the relief of finally finding safety after a harrowing adventure. a harrowing... taxing... unpleasant adventure, as it turns out - but one they did indeed survive thanks to their allies. given food, clean water, bathed, and freed of weeks worth of grime... they're practically new people - and it's got to feel good. wounds new and old have been dressed and are diligently healing, comfortable beds beneath their heads... they slept off the worst of their exhaustion.

and now, two full days later, they're beginning to return to the World Of The Living - enough to open the doors to their small, shared domicile among the trees to guests should any wish to come calling! you might find one of them awake, balancing a bowl of soup over a knee as the other sprawls gracelessly in a bed nearby, drooling into their pillows - or you might find them both alert and lightly chatting amongst themselves and happy to fold you into the conversation.

the physical marks of their time in captivity are fading day by day. the scars Achamoth left in less visible places may take more time to heal, but even so, it should be obvious that your presence chases some of the shadows from their eyes as you enter: the Pleroma is their home, and they're so... so glad to be back. ]

[ ooc: please include if you would like to visit Abel, Himeka, or both in your subject line! you can feel free to assume the other is sleeping for some privacy during your chat if you'd like a 1 on 1; we are happy to accommodate!! 🥰 ]

[As people first came through the portal, harried and exhausted, Yuya held his breath until he finally saw Himeka and Abel brought through--wounded, unresponsive, but alive. It's the first bit of relief he's truly felt since he heard they were taken.

And then... the news of everything else trickles in. Of Estinien. Of the Innocence Entity. He felt something deep inside him stir, and he wonders--was that her last gift, before...

It's... a lot of guilt and hopelessness and grief. The former two, he manages largely to grapple with in the next couple days. Mostly. It's impossible, though, to completely release himself from the aching bitterness of having lost Estinien when bringing them home. It isn't fair. With how badly he'd wanted this--he deserved to return with them.

...

He doesn't wait long, when they're finally allowed to visit. It isn't the running to see them he maybe saw before, as he sluggishly enters the doorway with sucken eyes (he's done so much crying lately).

But his expression... lights up a little, tentatively as he brings his gaze up to see them both aware.] You...

[Though Cid has never spoken to Abel much, it seems pertinent to speak to the both of them. As much as he wants to speak to Himeka, both of them went through pure horrors while he was in Venera.

He's seen and experienced no shortage of horrors, approaching the two of them with wrapped sandwiches made by one of the Resistance members he's been working with for the past several moons.]

How... are the two of you faring?

[It's asked gingerly, with the grace one might expect from a man who has seen people he cares for gravely injured before.]

Come on Poromon, hurry up!

[ Miyako can be heard from outside of their sleeping quarters before she can be seen. Poromon doesn't respond with any verbal remark - For a moment, it would seem only like two passing strangers through the trees of Greentruth. If not for the fact that something- someones would appear in the doorway moments later.

She'd debated hard - if not particularly long - on if she should visit too veritable strangers. Despite how her own heart fluttered in her chest, her first instinct is to try to help support others. Instead of giving in to panic, she did the next most Miyako thing: Overdo helpfulness.

Which is why the first thing either see is the appearance of a small, pink bird like creature with a bag full of food held between its beak... He's doing his very best to keep steady as it pulls him down. Moments later the cheerful figure of the young woman appears carrying... several more bags of... Something. Who knows, do you even want to ask? (It's mostly food). She's cheerful, waves - and doesn't act at all the world that she thinks they're strangers: ]

Hello~! Your neighborhood friendly room service is here!

[ That's not a thing, Miyako. Why do you say that with such confidence? Poromon, for his part, blushes apologetically but look! ]

[ the door has been left ajar to let in some fresh air and sunlight, dim as it might be where it filters through the thick canopy ceiling - but it's far more than they got where they'd been kept down in the Citadel's dungeons. it's perfect.

Abel is seated beside Himeka on one of the beds; he's working on clumsily peeling a fruit with a short knife when Yuya's shadow obscures the doorway. his hair is hanging loose at his shoulders and there are bandages at his wrists, ugly bruises still fading across his skin, but-- just like Himeka... he's the same ol' Abel as ever.

and he's giving the boy a gentle-- if slightly wobbly-- smile to see him enter. it's impossible to miss the telltale signs of crying and duress; of course. all of this, especially for a child, must be incredibly difficult. cruelly so. ]

...Long time no see, mm? You're-- you're alright, Yuya?

[ he's not watery YOU'RE WATERY, ]

[Syrlya eventually swings by to see Himeka and Abel, once they've been released to where Himeka and Estinien usually stay. He knows he'll find only one of them there, though.

Still--now that he's back among the world of the living, he wants to see how they're doing. Being released from the medical ward is a positive, at least.

He knocks against the doorway first, not too loud in case they're sleeping--but enough to draw attention if they aren't.] Hello--Himeka? Abel?

[ Abel is busy rubbing sleep out of his eyes and looking a bit like he's not entirely certain if he's still dreaming, or if one of his wounds has managed to grow infected and this is all some kind of hyper-realistic but incredibly surreal fever dream. sure, a lot of strange things happen in Horos; sure, a lot of strange people occupy it as well, to say nothing of the Aions. but you know,

you know. even after months of this, sometimes... something just.

something just, okay? it just.

and the Just, here, is Pink Bird.

it's captivating. entrancing, honestly - Abel doesn't hear a word of what Miyako (lovely Miyako; this is so sweet) has said. he is busy staring directly into the bird's eyes, utterly enthralled, mouth hanging lightly agape, blanket rumpled in his lap where he'd wriggled around in his sleep. head empty; thoughts... bird. bird.

...........and he's reaching out-- not to assist the wonderful creature where it is lugging a bag of food, but to attempt to, ah. poke it?? in its feathery body. experimentally. ]

[ The room is one of many like it, available for any to claim as needed while they settle into Greentruth. There had been talks of finding something else for the long-term, but it's served well enough as a bit of a home base in the forest. There are a few personal effects on the walls or on surfaces, for the most it is easily mistaken for any other dwelling in the heart of Greentruth.

Himeka sits on the edge of her cot, applying some light healing magicks to Abel's clothed back. When she hears footsteps, she loos up from her work. The light slowly dwindles as she recognizes who it is and just what he's brought.

They're tired, physically, mentally, emotionally. So many have come through for them and others have fallen in the process. They're healing, bit by bit, but it will take time. Time they have for once.

Himeka smiles softly. ]

Well enough for lunch.

[ She gently pats Abel's shoulder. ]

Don't you think?

[ They're doing markedly better, at least physically. Being regulated to bedrest has given them ample time to discuss plans which may lead them away from the forest ere long, but for now continue to find solace beneath the boughs of the old wood.

At the knock, Himeka looks up from where she is stitching closed holes in some garment left to wiles of clever forest insects. She glances to Abel with a tilt of her head before turning back to the door. ]

Syrlya? Is that you? Come in.

[ It's only been a couple of days, but they're starting to mend. Himeka is feeling a little more like herself, no matter how heavy her heart feels at the losses embedded so deeply with the victories. To heal, to pick themselves up--that's their job right now. And they'll do their best.

She's munching quietly on some shoddily cut pieces of a similar fruit, picking them from a cloth laid across her lap. (Her knife-work is so much cleaner than this, but it's the thought that counts.)

At Yuya's voice, Himeka pauses mid-chew to offer the boy a similar kind but tired smile. ]

Hungry? Abel's making snacks.

[ "Making". ]

[Yuya is very watery. Properly hearing their voices again sets him into tears immediately.

At Abel's question, he shakes his head in disbelief.] That's what I'm supposed to say!

[He sloppily wipes at his tears and rushes from the door to between their beds. He doesn't move to touch either one of them, barely held back by consideration that there must be uncountable injuries he doesn't want to disrupt. Instead he takes a deep breath, trying to regain enough composure to visit.]

You two are... are probably a lot hungrier than I am.

[ Sleep had been fitful in Achamoth, but Himeka has seemingly regained her uncanny ability to sleep comfortably just about anywhere not long after returning. In fact, one may think she is completely down for the count, unaware of any visitors or shuffling sounds of Abel in the room.

That is until the words "room service" are uttered. Her tail twitches, hanging off the edge of her cot. And just like that, she's gone from dead asleep to stretching and twisting over, making a right mess of her blanket and incidentally creating something of a messy toga out of it. ]

Mmm...breakfast?

[ A--

--bird?

Is that for breakfast? (Nevermind that it's clearly carrying something.) Catch it, Abel! Before it gets away! ]

[ Perhaps - Just perhaps, poor Poromon felt his life flash before his eyes. A young 'mon knows when someone looks at him like he might be food afterall! His half asleep partner once thought he was cotton candy once, so really - No, no. That's not it. He's surprised when the hand moves to poke him, pink feathers flushing a further red. Can birds blush? How can you tell? He definitely can!

And then just before it makes contact he gives a startled squawk, beak opening wide and fliging the bag onto the floor. Thankfully, this one doesn't seem to be carrying food - It's like random odds and ends. Like someone didn't know what to bring someone who might be recovering from something like the two did - a fluffy blanket, a cute stuffed animal (vaguely shark shaped), a book of some kind.

Poromon leaves his treasures to clatter as he hurries off on short wings to hide behind his partner. It's not dignified or gentlemanly at all, but he was surprised! And maybe a little scared! Miyako doesn't know what to make of it, blinking from her spot as she gives a confused look at him: ]

What's gotten into you, Poromon?

[ The bird doesn't answer, having found his spot guiltly just behind, he hides his face behind his feathered wings as if that'll protect him as his partner picks up the fallen items. ]

Ah, I'm sorry about that...! It ruins the whole surprise.

[ things have begun to quiet.

himeka and abel are back in greentruth, and that is an enormous worry soothed, at least in part. definitely in part. the fear for them had eaten at him for weeks, and the fact that they're returned and safe sometimes doesn't feel entirely real. fright is such a lingering, insidious thing, isn't it. even if its cause is gone, it takes its time in leaving.

he didn't have much energy to dwell when he came down ill himself, or even the next day when simple acts like standing or walking took a conscious effort. but the worry returns, inevitably, and once he's better, he...

has his own reasons for going to greentruth, of course. that seeing them is one goes without question; that's important. but he can't safely practice channeling in godsblood, nor continue to train with a sword, and those are both important for him to continue. this is a reprieve, little more. much as he wishes otherwise.

and he doesn't want to disturb himeka or abel, not when they're resting or eating, not when they're speaking with other people. so there are a number of times when he contents himself with a look in, a glance, an excuse to walk past the room(s) where they're recovering on his way elsewhere.

such as today. himeka seems to be sleeping, so he only pauses by the doors for a moment... ]

Edited 2022-08-28 15:27 (UTC)

[ considering he has no bedside manner - especially not for people that he only sort of knows - it's a relief when he pokes his head in and they're both actually awake and seemingly back to normal. Comforting words aren't his specialty; he's rarely ever received them in his nineteen years. Smoothing things over with gifts was his go-to, but that was when he had money. Here? Not so much. He can only spare enough for a cask of cheap wine, and that's what sits on his lap as he cautiously rolls his way in. ]

Oh, you guys are up... [ an awkward pause, his hands stilling on the wheels as he sits in the doorway. ] Uh... I brought you something.

[ hesitantly, he holds up the bottle - locally-made, naturally, for better or for worse. Johnny has clearly been through the wringer, himself; there are still bandages wrapped around most of his visible skin, but it looks like he's on the mend. ]

[ --ah...

Abel's brow knits as he sees the threat of tears in Yuya's eyes become actual tears; it seems like a meltdown had been imminent, hm? is it relief, or grief? is he merely overwrought after everything...? it would be understandable either way, but...

there's no way he can simply sit here and let the boy cry unconsoled, and there is a very heavy lump in his throat as he reaches out to gently settle his hand atop Yuya's hair, stroking reassuringly in an invitation to draw closer. it's okay; they might be one giant bruise right now, but... hugs are healing in their own right, in his opinion. ]

H-hey... it's-- it's okay, don't make that face, alright?

[ --oh dear. the bag drops to the floor, its contents thankfully safe from any harm by liberty of being Soft and non-delicate, and Abel gives a little jerk at the Pink Bird's abrupt squawk-squeak and retreat.

o-oh. oh, that's-- it... isn't a dream? that or Abel is dreaming exceptionally vividly today, in which case he really ought to ask what was in the water here-- ]

...Ah?

[ eloquent. very eloquent, this pair of idiots both tangled in their bedsheets and blankets and looking at Miyako like two overgrown children, hair in disarray and, apparently, menacing perfectly well-behaved Poromons. ]

Ah. --Ah! Ah, I'm-- sorry, are you... breakfast?

[ did Himeka say breakfast? ]

[ Abel's lifting his head at the sound of Cid's voice from the doorway where the priest had been sitting still to assist Himeka in her healing efforts - being a good patient isn't usually a card in his deck, but sometimes an old dog can learn new tricks, after all.

Cid isn't an unfamiliar face, but they haven't had much the pleasure of any genuine conversation by luck of the draw - Abel recalls seeing him about Greentruth at the gathering a few months back, in fact. ]

Oh, well... I am never one to turn down a good sandwich! Make yourself comfortable, would you?

[ he's gesturing for Cid to, indeed, make himself at home wherever he'd like; there's plenty of room seeing as the pair are currently occupying Himeka's bed. ]

[ Abel had never been good at sitting still; he's a creature prone to being on the move, even if there is a part of him that definitely enjoys a good laze about. considering the circumstances... maybe it's just he's been a little more restless than usual.

it means that he's looking up from where his eyes had been scanning the pages of a book without really reading the words on the page at the welcome interruption; a visit from another familiar face...? ]

[Syrlya peeks in first, confirming to Himeka it is him, before he enters the room.]

I'm glad to see you two on the mend. [He wasn't sure entirely what state they got them out of, anyway.] How are you feeling?

[ both the room's occupants are Tired and bearing healing signs of their endeavors, but despite it - neither are the sort to languish in misery. putting on a smile and continuing onward despite it all is simply part of their natures, which means...

as Johnny heads inside, he'll find Abel seated at the end of Himeka's bed, fiddling absently with a roll of bandages for something to occupy his hands-- and giving his guest an affable smile of greeting.

they are trying Very Hard to tuck everything away, to offer some semblance of normalcy in a time where 'normal' seems increasingly difficult to stomach. ]

...Mr. Johnny, and you come bearing gifts? Himeka, he's a man after my own heart-- you see this...?!

[Cid offers them the sandwiches before taking a seat nearby.

It's obvious he doesn't know what to say— that the two of them have been through horrors is something he doesn't even need to acknowledge, given he'd seen the attempted execution, even if he hadn't been one of the people directly involved in the rescue party. And that isn't even touching the sort of treatment he's well aware they would have been receiving at the hands of the Kenoma.]

Erik made those.

[Himeka has certainly heard of the followers Cid gained a week or so into their stay in Greentruth, and both have likely seen the pair helping Cid with odd jobs around the settlement. Two early twenty-somethings, a man and a woman.]

He's always so eager to help. Reminds me a bit of Wedge.

[The fact that he's not sure what to say to them is obvious, but he's here and not going anywhere.]

[open & closed]

GREENTRUTH

GODSBLOOD

CLOSED: for rand; immediately post-rescue

ABEL and/or HIMEKA, OPEN: 2 days post rescue,

Abel and Himeka (separate or group thread is fine)

Abel and Himeka (separate, group, either works!)

abel and himeka! (group or otherwise is fine with me!)

himeka's coming in next!

Wildcary (27th) - Himeka and Abel

himeka's coming in next!

abel will go next!

abel will go next!

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wildcard for HIMEKA, a few days post rescue

separate or group is fine...!

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himeka will tag next!!

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