locked to } luthir

[graveflowers]

[She doesn't actually know if he uses the phone, poor old fashioned dear, but she is exhausted and dehydrated because she is somehow still crying and, to be perfectly honest, she is terrified of falling asleep. She has nothing left to stop her from giving it a shot.

She needs it, and she was so focused on what everyone else needed -- what Jade needed and Rafael and Des and Myri -- that she pushed it aside because she felt bad that she can't figure out how to get this comfort from anyone here and because death is what she is good at so she let herself take over to save anyone else having to do it.

But now it's settled on her shoulders, the reminder that she has no idea what she is doing in this case and she needs help. His help, specifically, because as much as he flusters her and makes her stomach riot with butterflies, he calms her down and centers her, balancing her when she feels off-kilter and confused. And she would really love to be calm, for at least a moment.

So she curls up in on of the chairs in the waiting room, tugging her feet up on to the seat. She dials and listens to it ring and really hopes he is around to talk to her. She twists her wrist to glance at her watch, it is really early or middle of the night there -- dyslexia is not exclusive to letters, sadly, and she doesn't have a digital watch -- but she... doesn't actually care.]

Comments

[luthir]

A strange use of the word. [ he sounds a bit in shock still, obviously not certain where to start with all that. ] ... Amin hiraetha. I didn't mean to imply I wouldn't help you. I'm just concerned. No matter which of the four it might be, there can be nothing good in their intentions. The only good drow deity is the Lady Eilistraee. The others are as evil as they come, through and through.

[ wait, that's not comforting. ] But their power is limited in this world. They can send you visions, but he cannot touch you, Helillóte.

[graveflowers]

[Can't touch her unless she goes looking for him and puts herself in danger probably.] Okay.

[She rubs her head, trying to dull the near constant throbbing of her headache.] The other thing is that I said I would take care of Jade's funeral, but I don't know anything about elven, elvish?, funerals and she was... part, I don't remember. But I figured there should be equal representaion.

[luthir]

Of course. [ this, he can handle... ] They're something of an event: elves live long enough lives that passings are few and far between, by human standards. Some aspect of the service could be undertaken by a priest of Corellon - he rules over funeral rites. Although you said she was descended from a god herself?

[graveflowers]

[She scribbles that down with the pen she found under the Dr Seuss books on the table, but she doesn't have any paper so... she just uses her leg. Whatever, it's not like anyone will ever accuse her of being classy.]Yeah, the moon goddess whose name I can't remember even though that's super disrespectful.

[luthir]

[ with calm confidence: ] Sehanine. One of the most powerful of all the Tel'Seldarine - of all gods in general, really. The wife of Corellon. [ a beat ] It... would be very appropriate to gear the service towards her, in more ways than one. Among other things, Sehanine is the elven goddess of death, and governs the passing of souls from the world.

[graveflowers]

Her mom is the goddess of death and her... stepdad is in charge of funerals? [She laughs softly.] No wonder we got along, it is all very familiar. Um, okay. What about, um, her body? I mean, Romans are cremated, there is a whole pyre lit by family and friends, its very dramatic, but I don't know what she would have wanted.

[luthir]

Some elves choose to burn the bodies, but moon elves are more inclined towards interring them in a tomb, or in the ground, if a tomb can't be feasibly erected. There's usually great ceremony involved: examples of their artistry and passions put on display as speakers gather to expound on the merits of their life. And, of course, there is always music.

[graveflowers]

Jeez. I guess I wasn't joking when I said Lady Di would be jealous. At least music won't be hard to come by. When I die just do me a favor and light it up, grow a weeping willow with my ashes, 'kay?

[luthir]

You may well outlive me. I hope you do.

[graveflowers]

Still haven't sold me on that, but I'll do my best for you. [She's quiet for a bit but she speaks again before the pause becomes awkward. For all it does because she makes it awkward, though she is eerily calm in her delivery.] I'm sorry. For what I said, earlier. I mean, I'm not sorry, I meant it, but it wasn't supposed to come out like that. There was a speech and it was, like, epic. They would make movies about that speech, the Dragon's Tongue would be like damn girl and then... there was that instead. So I'm sorry, you can pretend I never said it, that would probably be best.

[luthir]

[ the tiniest pause ] About your... deepest desire, you mean?

[graveflowers]

Yup.

[luthir]

It seems something of a shame, that such a speech will go to waste.

[graveflowers]

Yeah? It wouldn't be... unwanted?

[luthir]

I wouldn't call it that. However, this may not be the most... ideal place and time for it. [ a pause ] I imagine you've had a very long day.

[graveflowers]

[She shrugs, and then realizes... duh, phone.] It's not like I am going to sleep, I don't want another stalker dream date. [Ever again. She adds in a small voice, almost a whisper:] Why do you have to be so far away? [Her breath hitches as she takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, trying to turn her brain back on.] When I get home. That speech is going to happen. And it is going to be suitably epic. But considering I have just suffered genuine shock and trauma more than once in the last 48 hours, do you think you could cut me a break and gimme a hint as to the possible outcome of my epic speech? I need something good for once. ...so I guess only tell me if its good, 'cause if, inexplicably, it isn't -- Well, everything sucks right now, I might not notice.

[luthir]

[ his voice is surprisingly gentle, for him at least, when he says: ] You need not fear that of all things, Helillóte. I find it difficult to imagine any words from your lips inspiring less than a favorable, and ardent, response.

Rest your heart upon that matter.

[graveflowers]

Oh. [That is all she manages before she is crying again but for once, in what feels like weeks or months, she isn't sad, as if her grief lifted for that one moment so she could have something to hold on to.] Okay. I will do that.

[A beat, before she ruins the moment.] Oh my god, you're my Mr. Darcy. [And cue giggles.]

[luthir]

I'm not certain I know how to take that...

[graveflowers]

Um, you could take it well. [Her giggles subside.] It's from a book, it's... not important. But fairly complimentary, so.

[luthir]

Oh, I've read the book...

I just saw us as having something of a... less stressful initial acquaintance.

[graveflowers]

Less stressful than almost being monster munchies or splatter on train tracks or incubating some demon spawn? [REALLY? BECAUSE THAT WAS KIND OF STRESSFUL.] You had an actual gaping neck wound, I'm struggling to think of a more stressful first meeting. Well... I guess last night would've been worse.

[luthir]

Well, yes, there was that [ s-so dismissive nbd all in a day's work ] but at least between you and I there were no displays of antagonism. [ a beat ] I believe you asked me to marry you, if I recall correctly. That's not how I remember Austen going.

[graveflowers]

Oh, you remember my proposal, hmm? You know it's rude to keep a girl waiting. [Just saying.] And anyway, I'm not nearly as emotionally deficient as Elizabeth Bennet and it's not like 1786 or whatever and you're not --- you know what, I'm just going to figure out a different literary comparison.

[luthir]

Perhaps it doesn't beg a comparison.