[OPEN] Well. That Didn't Go Quite As Planned

[moneytwin]

Who: EVERYONE
Where: The Temple of Beginnings
When: Immediately After The End.
Rating: PG-13, may vary by thread
What: You fall, you pick yourself back up and you move on. Or at least, you try.


Fished Out Of Water
One minute, you are witnessing the fabric of an entire world implode as it is literally ripped apart by powers unknown. The next, that tell-tale twist somewhere beneath your sternum, before you are bodily YANKED away from Akvos, away from the ocean and the Queen and the King and the Princess.

And land back on (mostly) solid, dry ground.

Welcome back to the Temple of Beginnings. Don't worry, there's no hurry for you to get back up just yet.


Hey, Howya Doin'?
Once you do get back up, now is the time to be taking stock of the situation - yours, your friends, and even those new merfolk neighbours (who may need a hand getting their fins back into the water). There is also the missing members of the Circle to consider: people who disappeared on the journey to Akvos, and those who never made it back..

(There's also that small matter with a certain 'witchess-san' that may be a cause for concern to some more than others.)

Whatever the case, it's a lot to process right now. Take the time you have, because you don't know if it'll be enough for what you need.

---

[[ OOC: Here's an open post for threads reacting to the end of the Akvos world hop. Feel free to use the above prompts, and/or make your own! ]]

Comments

[lumberlady]

But... don’t worry. You can learn if you want to do that.

[She does get it. The result is the same, happiness or comfort, but. Yeah, the physical result is different. Cooking, cleaning, planting, sewing, though... Konoha just shakes her head, trying to smile despite her yet wet eyes, squeezing a moment in encouragement.]

I’d teach you. Or, you know... We could just work together! You sing, and I’ll feed everyone who comes to listen.

[fairysong]

[Despite the dull ache in her heart, she can't help but laugh at that. That's right, she can learn, can't she? And she can rely on others.] That'd be wonderful, wouldn't it? Dinner and a show. We could open a business, the two of us.

And just hope everyone else can chase away the bad guys or the spatial rifts that come calling.

[It's not that much different from relying on Alto and the rest of SMS to fight the Vajra, is it? She's not a soldier. She knows this.

So why does it feel so much personal here?]

[lumberlady]

If they don't have food and hope... no one can go up against bad things, or think of ways to get us out of here.

[That's what she's been telling herself, anyway. Even if she wasn't a fighter, even if she wasn't a scholar... Without people like her, like them... Those other people wouldn't have the time or energy to do what needed to be done.

She's sure of it. Even if it sometimes doesn't feel like enough. Especially now.]

So... we'll do it. Together.

[A tint of doubt in her voice, just looking for that bit of reassurance.

Together... right?]

[fairysong]

[That's right.

Sheryl herself isn't so sure. It feels still a little frustrating to be at the mercy of having other people have to really do the work, to be out of her element.

But if she can't smile and keep someone's spirits up, who can?

Sheryl reaches for one of Konoha's hands, taking it and squeezing.]

That's right, together. You and me. And anyone else who wants to come along, I suppose.

[lumberlady]

[Exactly. Who can?

So Konoha squeezes Sheryl's hand back, mustering a better smile, the firelight glinting warm off the remnants of tears on her cheeks. But not just the tears- it also reflects a touch of hope in her eyes.]

Yeah. You, and me, and... I guess I don't mind a bit more help.

fade out here?

[fairysong]

[She shifts her grip so that she can lace her fingers with Konoha's, leaning up against her friend's front.] We'll start with us. And anyone who wants to join.

They'll just have to follow our lead. We'll be in charge, okay?

yyy

[lumberlady]

[It feels as if it's been so long since she's had this. Had someone crying the same tears from the same feelings, rather than her alone feeling weak or scared against someone stronger than she. Had someone willing to hold her hand... and let her squeeze back with a grateful smile.]

A famous singer and a lumber yard foreman know how to get things done.

[They will. If they believe it...

Until then, Konoha is perfectly content to nestle a bit against Sheryl's shoulder, listening to the crackle of the lakeside bonfire.]