( video )

[heron]

[ when the feed turns on, there is a man with large white wings standing too close. he squints at it quizzically before moving back with a frown that barely mars his beauty. his wings flap erratically behind him. ]

My sister, Leanne, seems to be missing. I have searched everywhere but she cannot be found. I — [ reyson bites it off, frustrated before taking a deep breath. ] — I will assume she has returned home as I know there have been cases of people . . . leaving. And I have no reason to suspect foul play. The Gods have deemed it so.

[ but, oh, it is a bitter pill that for a moment his face cracks from the effort from it. but reyson has borne worse. ]

Perhaps . . . if you could, please share some words or prayer to your own Gods to watch over her. Or share me stories of your deities. Are they kind? Cruel? Are Gods strangers to you?

Comments

[whenyouneedme]

I didn't.

[Yet here he was.]

But I wanted to.

[heron]

I do not understand why they took her.

[whenyouneedme]

I... [He paused, searching Reyson's face for a moment.] I don't know.

She's okay.

[heron]

. . . Do you know how many siblings I lost before the fire?

Two. Too many. Leanne — Her existence was a miracle.

[whenyouneedme]

[Before the-- Kai' brows furrowed pensively, mouth settling in a line.]

... Yeah.

Going home means she'd be with Tibarn and them, wouldn't it?

[heron]

I would assume so.

[ but there's no confirmation, no message. reyson rubs his palms together. ]

But my people . . . we've never had much guarantee in survival.

[whenyouneedme]

[It's beyond frustrating, he's sure. It's a feeling Kai knows he can't even really imagine.]

I'm not gonna tell you not to worry about her, but it doesn't sound like she'll be alone.

[Kai reached out, carefully resting a palm against Reyson's arm.]

You either.

[heron]

[ reyson looks down at their hands, at a loss. ]

I don't understand how the Gods would take from me.

[whenyouneedme]

Gods are assholes.

[Spoken here on the threshold of a god-- honesty for Honesty.]

But I wonder if they're... having trouble keeping us all here. Doesn't make sense that they'd want to send anyone away.

[heron]

Perhaps.

Either way, I continue to be powerless.

[whenyouneedme]

[Kai kinda just... leaned on Reyson a little, like a dog that had no other means to try and cheer its owner up. Not that 'cheering up' was what he was aiming for here. Reyson was allowed his grief.

It kinda pissed Kai off that even here, Reyson was getting dealt shitty hands. Maybe chill the fuck out, everyone. Give the guy a break. What could Kai do about it though? That frustration balled up in his chest in a tight knot.]

... Mm.

...

Y'wanna try shouting at some gods?

[heron]

I do not think it'll do much good.

[ even if it is tempting. reyson sighs, trying to tamp down on his pain. it's old pain, after all and he hates dwelling. hates feeling the way he did many years ago. his wings flare briefly before wilting. ]

I'm not . . . entirely sure what I want now.

[whenyouneedme]

Well, the offer's open.

[Kai was down to shout at the air anytime, friend.]

You don't gotta figure it out all on your own though.

[heron]

[ reyson finally looks kai in the eye. ]

What do you think I should do?

[whenyouneedme]

The only thing you can do is keep goin', right?

Getting left behind sucks, but it doesn't mean you stop.

[heron]

[ reyson sits down on the steps, looking up. ]

No. I had considered it once, not long ago.

[whenyouneedme]

Stopping?

[Kai frowned deeply over the multiple things that could mean, and plopped himself down next to the heron so he could slide his hand across the stone for Reyson to take or leave there.]

What changed then?

[heron]

Tibarn told me not to throw my life away.

[ there's a faint pause. ]

I was . . . very angry. Naesala had sold me to a human and I had escaped. I hated them all and wanted them gone. And I knew how to do it.

[whenyouneedme]

[Who? Didn't matter, though Kai filed the name away. He watched Reyson carefully, giving a single nod for him to continue.]

How?

[heron]

There is an altar in Serenes forest. If I sang there, a song of destruction . . . I would have wiped them all out.

No more humans. But in the same stroke, I would no longer exist.

[whenyouneedme]

[... Ah. All or nothing, huh. Kai let out a heavy breath.]

Can't blame you for bein' tempted.

[heron]

No.

[ a quiet exhale. ]

But it was cowardly and I have never been that.

[whenyouneedme]

I'm glad one of us isn't.

[Kai wouldn't have been able to say he wouldn't have done it either. His fingers curled against the cool marble of the steps.]

I'm selfish though, so I'm glad for that reason too.

[heron]

That is not selfishness.

And you have never been cowardly. You simply struggle to see yourself.

[whenyouneedme]

[Was that all it was? He wasn't so sure, but he didn't comment on it. Instead Kai offered him a wry little grin.]

I'm pretty sure being happy you didn't wipe out humanity just cuz it means I got to meet you is on the selfish side, Reyson.