voice

[vagabone]

[He speaks in a calm, even voice, perfectly casual. No one can ever truly get used to losing good friends, it will always hurt, it's always too soon to say goodbye... but it's happened countless times to him, because that's simply the way it is when one is being forgotten by both the living and the dead. He's one of them, los Olvidados. They all swallow their pain, they bury it deep and they carry on, remembering those they've lost as long as they can.

And he is very, very accustomed to living with the pain. What he enjoys and what he wants has nothing to do with it. He's not the only one dealing with it.]

Muffet's also gone. I know she did a lot of the baking, especially for the Denny. I'm not so bad at that myself and I like it, so it's no problem for me to carry on with it. It's just, ah...

[Here comes the shameful part.] I literally have no muscles, I'm not so good at carrying things you probably wouldn't think are heavy. If anyone doesn't mind helping out part of the time, I'd appreciate it.

And there's something of hers I'd like to put up in the Storyteller's temple too, I think they'd like to have it.

[Seems that's all. He doesn't say any more...]

Comments

[vagabone]

[Again? Not really.]

Where I'm from, we'd be taking care of you. You wouldn't have to work. You'd be able to rest.

[Not entirely true... but he wishes it were.]

[hyperlit]

HYPOTHETICAL
NOT THE CASE HERE

[They'll rest when they're dead.]

[vagabone]

Huh. Explains why I could never tell when it transformed from the real thing to 'monster'...

[And then, quickly:] Oh, you don't have to do that, I don't get hungry. Let's save the food for living people who do. Maybe we can make an exception for special occasions or whatever.

[journalname]

Oh, that hardly seems fair. I am more than happy to do it whenever you'd like.

[So: he's not gonna argue with you about it, but for real it's not a problem]

At least I could make you a nice cup of tea sometime.

[vagabone]

Like I said to Ed, we might want to move her whole kitchen setup to the Denny... if we can? It might save a lot of trips. [A huff of laughter...?] I don't know how she handled so much all the time, to be honest.

[Hell, he doesn't even remember what it was like to be strong and energetic. Really full of energy, not just playful and silly. Those were the days...]

Woven stories. So many of them. Almost everyone's in at least one.

[thermalwind]

[Woven stories. He falls quiet as what that means sinks in.]

I'll go with you to ask Storyteller for permission to put it up. That's something I can't see an issue with but its their temple. They need to give their okay.

...Muffet did a lot all the time, it's true. I'll take a look at her set up. If it needs moved, I'll help move it.

[atailoftwoworlds]

[Zidane met Muffet a few times and she did come on that underwater expedition with all of them. She did seem to chide him at times but she cared. Hopefully, she is happier back home. Still, Héctor's probably knew her pretty well.]

I can carry some stuff over too if you want. You might wanna count me out of the cooking though. [A small chuckle, trying to cheer the guy up.] But carrying I can do. And uh.....whatever else you might need, okay, buddy? [In case his friend is really hurting.]

[vagabone]

Pretty sure it's not hypothetical, it's how most of us would do things back home.

[vagabone]

Well... [If it makes the big guy feel better, why not?] Ah, what the heck, I'll allow it. Tea's not exactly filling, no one will mind.

Didn't you say you were growing some yourself?

[vagabone]

Eh, I can't see them protesting. A story's a story, I've drawn them a few before.

[But it's the fellow doing the heavy lifting who gets to decide... if only he were better remembered. Sturdier. Less withered away--a feeble old man in the wilderness.]

You know where she lived, right?

[vagabone]

[Without a doubt, she is. Back with her family and friends on the Surface where she belongs.]

I don't think so. It's really only the heavy lifting I've got trouble with.

[thermalwind]

Yeah I know where she lived. We ran into each other off and on. I don’t see the Storyteller protesting either but, still.

[He wants to ask. It’s the right thing to do.] Anyway, when you want to do this?

[hyperlit]

NOT RELEVANT TO NOW

[atailoftwoworlds]

[Considering he's seen Héctor absolutely miserable and not wanting to talk about it, he's not sure if that's true but he won't push that for now.] Well, like I said, I can always help with that. You want me to come over now?

[journalname]

I am! I have made quite a few different blends - although it is hard to keep all of them available at once. There are only the two bushes.

[solperierat]

That doesn't mean anything for how you are now.

[vagabone]

[Pity he's a shitty liar. Can't tell Ed he's doing good, and it'd be a terrible thing to say, anyway. Muffet. Ren. Not dead and not gone, but the chances that he'll see them again... very very low.]

Been worse. Recently, even. It'll be fine.

[vagabone]

Whenever. I'm at her home right now, if you want to stop by. Not going anywhere.

[Unfortunately.]

[vagabone]

It is to me.

[hyperlit]

CANNOT DECIDE FOR ANY SPHERE OF AGENCY BUT YOUR OWN

[vagabone]

[It's never been true. But then, there's not a single soul on the islands able to give him what he needs.]

Come over anytime, I'm already at her place. You know where it is?

[thermalwind]

[Silence falls. He can imagine it, Hector sitting there in the silent house. Keith takes a breath.] I'll be right there.


...anything you want me to bring with me?

[vagabone]

Ay, if there's only two... well, your choice who you give it to, I guess.

[Really doesn't sound like there's much, but who knows how big the bushes are?]

[journalname]

[we don't know how growing tea works honestly]

I have quite a bit in reserve as well. It does keep well.

[solperierat]

...yeah.

[Edward's been through this mess so many times, he's almost numb to it all. But it's that 'almost' that trips him up every time, and...well. He can't really blame Hector for not wanting to dwell.]

You know you're always welcome at our place.

['If you need sympathetic company' is what he doesn't add, but he assumes Hector can pick up on that part.]