Barnaby Brooks Jr. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
hundredpower) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
aionlogs2022-06-03 12:47 pm
hundredpower) wrote in aionlogs2022-06-03 12:47 pm
(open)
WHO: Barnaby and OTA
WHAT: Event aftermath, plus some babysitting
WHERE: Lover Shrine, later Achamoth
WHEN: After the Cost of Innocence event and this post
WARNINGS: Mentions of death/loss, grieving.
1. LOVER SHRINE
[Barnaby wanted to be alone. That was the reasoning behind his decision not to take the boat back to Achamoth with the others, though he'd told any who asked that he wanted to go to the Lover Shrine to investigate. He thought, perhaps, there could be clues of what might be another powerful entity tied to his Legacy, in the same way the Innocent had appeared in Venera. If such a powerful being has the ability to bring an entire city to its knees, dealing with many of them inserting themselves into the conflict between the two sects could soon prove unmanageable. The quicker they learn more about them and how many there are, the better.
When he arrives, though, trying to commune with the Shrine or gain new information here is useless. There's power here, but little else for him to go by, just the uncomfortable memories of awakening here when all this started.
So he exits the shrine into the sunlight, and moves to the beach, looking at his reflection in the shallows. He has nowhere to go except back to Achamoth. He's tired, and he has a purple, ugly bruise on his cheek from where Gen struck him, a reminder that when he returns to the Citadel he'll inevitably have to face what he exposed of his past to the other Kenoma. Most of all, he dreads seeing a certain demon right now, and being reminded yet again of his heartbreak, of the one person he lost and thought he'd found, however briefly. Grief seizes his chest in a vice. Now that he's alone, he feels he has to say something.]
...I doubt you can watch over me here. But if you did, would you want me to keep fighting?
[The wind picks up, blurring his reflection into countless ripples on the water. He's had many conversations with the dead over the years, and now he has one more person to speak with. Finally acknowledging that aloud, the weight of it, feels like it could crush him.]
2. RETURN TO ACHAMOTH
[When he finally arrives back in Achamoth, days later, his bruising has mostly faded and he looks only a little worse for wear, retreating to his quarters. After cleaning up and reporting to Xishen, he throws himself back into his daily training routine with renewed energy. When he's not training, he can be found at the library, surrounded by books on the Legacies, still in search of any clues that might help avoid a repeat of what happened in Venera.
There's little to be found on the Innocent entity -- hardly surprising when the Regent themself didn't seem to know much -- but perhaps beings associated to other Legacies could be properly investigated. He's studiously taking notes in silence, and it's only after a few hours that he has to pause to take off his glasses and rub at his eyes. It's been a long day.]
3. BUNNY DAYCARE
[Or perhaps you can find him in the gardens outside the Citadel. Ciel had told him about the orphans when he'd first arrived, and so he'd offered his help to the Achamites in caring for them, today taking a group of the younger orphans out for the afternoon to get some fresh air and play. Some take to him instantly, simply because he's an adult, or because he's an Aion, or both; others are more wary, prone to talking back to him or sulking when they misbehave. It's all familiar to him and reminds him fondly of the orphans back in Sternbild, so he has plenty of patience in dealing with them, even if he's still unsure how to deal with the rowdier children.
In contrast to them, one girl, Cerys, has taken to following him around or sitting with him the entire time, to the point he feels like he has a little second shadow. She's sitting on the grass beside him with a stuffed bear in her arms when he gently tries to coax her to go join the others.]
Don't you want to go and make friends? [She shakes her head and scowls, half-hiding her face behind the bear. He smiles to try to reassure her.] It's all right. Next time, we'll bring something you can do by yourself, or the two of us can do together.
[It's barely perceptible, but her scowl seems to lessen. Progress, perhaps.]
4. WILDCARD
[Write your own starter, or pm/dm me at moonsilver#4734 and we can plot something!]
WHAT: Event aftermath, plus some babysitting
WHERE: Lover Shrine, later Achamoth
WHEN: After the Cost of Innocence event and this post
WARNINGS: Mentions of death/loss, grieving.
1. LOVER SHRINE
[Barnaby wanted to be alone. That was the reasoning behind his decision not to take the boat back to Achamoth with the others, though he'd told any who asked that he wanted to go to the Lover Shrine to investigate. He thought, perhaps, there could be clues of what might be another powerful entity tied to his Legacy, in the same way the Innocent had appeared in Venera. If such a powerful being has the ability to bring an entire city to its knees, dealing with many of them inserting themselves into the conflict between the two sects could soon prove unmanageable. The quicker they learn more about them and how many there are, the better.
When he arrives, though, trying to commune with the Shrine or gain new information here is useless. There's power here, but little else for him to go by, just the uncomfortable memories of awakening here when all this started.
So he exits the shrine into the sunlight, and moves to the beach, looking at his reflection in the shallows. He has nowhere to go except back to Achamoth. He's tired, and he has a purple, ugly bruise on his cheek from where Gen struck him, a reminder that when he returns to the Citadel he'll inevitably have to face what he exposed of his past to the other Kenoma. Most of all, he dreads seeing a certain demon right now, and being reminded yet again of his heartbreak, of the one person he lost and thought he'd found, however briefly. Grief seizes his chest in a vice. Now that he's alone, he feels he has to say something.]
...I doubt you can watch over me here. But if you did, would you want me to keep fighting?
[The wind picks up, blurring his reflection into countless ripples on the water. He's had many conversations with the dead over the years, and now he has one more person to speak with. Finally acknowledging that aloud, the weight of it, feels like it could crush him.]
2. RETURN TO ACHAMOTH
[When he finally arrives back in Achamoth, days later, his bruising has mostly faded and he looks only a little worse for wear, retreating to his quarters. After cleaning up and reporting to Xishen, he throws himself back into his daily training routine with renewed energy. When he's not training, he can be found at the library, surrounded by books on the Legacies, still in search of any clues that might help avoid a repeat of what happened in Venera.
There's little to be found on the Innocent entity -- hardly surprising when the Regent themself didn't seem to know much -- but perhaps beings associated to other Legacies could be properly investigated. He's studiously taking notes in silence, and it's only after a few hours that he has to pause to take off his glasses and rub at his eyes. It's been a long day.]
3. BUNNY DAYCARE
[Or perhaps you can find him in the gardens outside the Citadel. Ciel had told him about the orphans when he'd first arrived, and so he'd offered his help to the Achamites in caring for them, today taking a group of the younger orphans out for the afternoon to get some fresh air and play. Some take to him instantly, simply because he's an adult, or because he's an Aion, or both; others are more wary, prone to talking back to him or sulking when they misbehave. It's all familiar to him and reminds him fondly of the orphans back in Sternbild, so he has plenty of patience in dealing with them, even if he's still unsure how to deal with the rowdier children.
In contrast to them, one girl, Cerys, has taken to following him around or sitting with him the entire time, to the point he feels like he has a little second shadow. She's sitting on the grass beside him with a stuffed bear in her arms when he gently tries to coax her to go join the others.]
Don't you want to go and make friends? [She shakes her head and scowls, half-hiding her face behind the bear. He smiles to try to reassure her.] It's all right. Next time, we'll bring something you can do by yourself, or the two of us can do together.
[It's barely perceptible, but her scowl seems to lessen. Progress, perhaps.]
4. WILDCARD
[Write your own starter, or pm/dm me at moonsilver#4734 and we can plot something!]
no subject
...Mm. Don't push yourself too hard, okay? Things have understandably been hectic, so it's okay to take some time for yourself, do what you need to recover your rhythm. We could talk more about things later, if you'd like?
[Away from the children, of course Ciel understands that it wouldn't do to put the guardian little Cerys had picked out for herself in a tough spot out in the open like this.]
I've been doing good. I don't feel like I managed to do much in Venera, to be completely honest, but the source of the problem was dealt with and we received a passing grade, so there isn't much reason to dwell. Best to focus on our present and the future, right?
no subject
And yes-- you're right. [Speaking of the future...] Actually, I was thinking of asking permission to take the children further afield sometime soon, if you'd be interested in coming along?
no subject
His proposition has her blinking and perking up, snapping her out of her own brainstorming.]
Oh? Of course! That's a good idea, the weather has been very nice lately too. Where were you hoping to take them, and for how long? I'd be happy to help with the planning and organization too, anything at all!
[Keeping busy is DEFINITELY an effective way to not stay trapped in your own thoughts, all the more reason to focus on this and hear him out?]
no subject
[He's barely finished his sentence when Cerys turns and tugs on his sleeve, eyes wide and exclaiming,] I want to go! Can we go?
[Taken aback by just how excited she is after being so grumpy only moments before, he laughs.] If the Regent says it's all right, then we can go. [Had she even seen the sea before? He's guessing not; many of them had spent most or all their lives in the Citadel. He looks back at Ciel.] What do you think?
no subject
I think it's a wonderful initiative. I'm not sure if sunscreen is quite a thing here, but I'll look into it! We'll have to pack lunches and snacks too, swimming is a tiring activity. Would you happen to have lifeguarding experience, Barnaby?
[As she's said: happy to help plan!]
no subject
[Because even if he watches them like a hawk, kids are still going to be kids and injure themselves somehow. Better to be overprepared than not.]
And I wouldn't let anyone in the water without making sure they know how to swim. [So it will be an educational trip, too. Realising Cerys is still all but bouncing on the spot and tugging on his arm, chanting, 'Swimming! Swimming!' he smiles and ruffles her hair affectionately.] Cerys, I know you're excited, but you can't tell anyone until we have permission. Can you keep it a secret for us adults?
[She stops and gasps, covering her mouth and looking between them like she's been entrusted with a topic of deadly seriousness, and sits back down again with a solemn little nod.]
no subject
[Flashing the startled little girl a playful wink, Ciel is very much trucking on as if it's already a done deal. Maybe she should dial back... But what's the harm in hyping the possibility up a bit? Live a little!]
Well then, in the meanwhile! Hy-po-the-ti-ca-lly, if we get the okay. Have you thought about what you would like to eat at the beach, Cerys? Since you caught us talking about this, that means you're a collaborator too~
[So she ought to pitch in with her preferences, even if it may just be a suggestion. Part of the secret, as it were!]
no subject
As for Cerys, she flushes at being asked the question, and not-so-subtly hides the half-eaten muffin behind her back.] I don't want anything.
[Barnaby probably should have expected that. She's really not used to being honest with her feelings, and she seems especially shy with Ciel... but rather than fluster her any more, he'll just offer some suggestions of his own.]
Even if you're not hungry now, we're thinking about when you get there. Fruit is always nice in hot weather, isn't it? [She just pouts and looks at the ground, so Barnaby gives Ciel an apologetic look.] As long as we bring a variety of food and snacks, everyone will have something they like, I think. [And he's sure he doesn't have to point out that the muffins seem to have been a hit, even with the moodiest little girl here.]
no subject
...
Ahaha.]
That was a bit sudden, wasn't it? Well, please think about it, okay? Just let mister Barnaby know whenever you do. I'll see if we can't have some shaved ice with fruit flavoring too, that's a classic for hot weather~!
[Nope he doesn't, but
as a big eaternow that she's volunteered to help with putting this together, of course they need variety and squeeze in anything that may be feasible AND fun for the children!]no subject
Is shaved ice possible here? I suppose an Aion could get creative with their powers, if you can think of anyone who fits the bill.
[There's Kaeya, but he had been a bit cagey the last time they spoke, so there's no guarantee he'd want to come and help.]
no subject
Why wouldn't it be? It's common for people here to know very basic magic, there's several among the kitchen staff who can turn water to ice for the sake of preserving the food we eat. [After making the ice comes crushing it, and that's child's play, probably!] More importantly, I'll need to think about what we can do for the flavoring, but I'm sure we'll have something figured out sooner or later. What fruits do you like, Cerys? Shaved ice is a summer classic, you'll see~!