[Netbook] Missing Persons

[unheiring]

Has anyone seen River since we returned from camp? Given the presence of the lake, I had assumed he was busy exploring its depths. But I have yet to sight him since returning home.

... I am sure it is nothing. But if you have come across him, do let me know. If you are unfamiliar, he is rather tall, has a tail and fins, and will probably try to fight you if you are wielding a weapon.

Thank you.

Comments

[kingincognito]

I don't think I've seen him. I'm sorry, Luca. But I would be glad to help you look?

[unheiring]

... I would appreciate that, actually.
Will you meet me at the bar?

[kingincognito]

Of course. I shall be there anon.

[ And he is. Fairly quickly, in fact. There's an odd feeling nagging at him, because this is precisely what happened when Clive left. For Luca to go through that again...

But he won't say it. Not yet. Not while there is still hope to be had .]

[unheiring]

[The thought has already long settled itself within Luca's mind. It had begun when River had all but disappeared from the camp itself. He'd sustained himself with the hope that it was merely a result of the water at play. After all, the emissary had long bemoaned the lack of proper space to stretch his fins out.

But when he had not arrived back home, so to speak, that worry had only bloomed.

Regardless, Joshua will find Luca halfway up the stairs to his own room. Perhaps Joshua has visited and seen the new doorway there, or perhaps it is a new sight entirely. Either way, said door is now open, spilling artificially cooled air into the stairwell. Luca sits inside upon the bed. The room itself has been turned upside down, it seems.]

[kingincognito]

[ With all that's happened lately, the doorway is definitely new. The chill of the air makes Joshua pause, briefly confused by it. It isn't so cold outside, and heat tends to rise. If anything, it should be warm.

But the state of Luca's room draws his thoughts away. He sucks in a breath, then continues on, gently rapping his knuckles against the doorframe. ]

May I come in?

[ He still feels it is polite to ask.]

[unheiring]

[Luca's attention immediately snaps upward. Though most of the tension remains in his shoulders, some of it abates at the sight of him. He stands quickly, and crosses the room just as fast. His arms go around Joshua immediately, and he allows himself to settle against his chest.

He knows, deep within his heart, what has happened. That's why he can at least count his blessings that Joshua is still here.]

Sorry, it is - [He pulls back a fraction. Does he feel a little guilty doing this in what was (once) River's room? Maybe. But can he be blamed for it? Hard to say.] I just need a moment.

[kingincognito]

[ Joshua doesn't even hesitate. The moment that Luca's arms wrap around him, his own are wrapping around Luca in turn, and his wings quickly follow suit. It seems like Luca's worries mirror his own. ]

It's quite alright. Take all the time you need.

[ Here, he'll even draw a bit on his inner fire. Not enough to damage himself, just enough to warm. The chill is relentless, after all. ]

[unheiring]

[Try as Luca might to steady his breathing, it fights him all the way. He has no doubt that it is a humiliating display, and no small part of him feels guilty for the way he shudders and shakes. He should not be blubbering about another man within his beloved arms. He knows that is surely wrong.

The fact that Joshua keeps him held close is at least sign enough that he does not entirely loathe the experience. Nevertheless, Luca cannot help but balk at the way he erases the chill. Normally, he would be grateful but right now...]

Beasts... [He puts his mind into complaining about something else.] I should have known.

[kingincognito]

[ Wrong or not, Joshua doesn't seem to mind at all. It is a wound nonetheless, and Luca is seeking comfort, so comfort he shall give. If anything, if River has truly left this place, Joshua is glad that he can still be here for this comfort. ]

It is not the first time that this has happened. Nor will it be the last, I'm afraid. But you had no way of knowing before now, did you?

[ He tucks his chin against the top of Luca's head. ]

Do not destroy yourself over something of which you had no control. It is not your fault.

[unheiring]

[Despite it all, Luca... finds himself laughing. Joshua says all the right things, or would have, if it were what Luca was truly concerned about.]

I... do not think he was taken at all. [He shakes his head, all without daring to lift it or shift away from Joshua's chest. Sorry that he's just smearing his tears everywhere, buddy.] You have met him now, you know how he is.

[Another faint titter leaves him, before shuddering into a noise closer to a whimper.]

I have no doubt that he went off the challenge that Monster in the woods himself.

[kingincognito]

[ ... ah. Now that Luca says it aloud, Joshua can see the possibility clearly. He doesn't know River as well as Luca, but he certainly knows of the man's desire for a good fight. Would he be so bold as to challenge Suri himself?

If the laughter or the tears bother him, he doesn't show it. For the record, they don't. ]

Ah. I suppose...

[ Joshua is silent for a moment, frowning, chewing gently on the inside of his lower lip. ]

If that is the case, then I daresay he will return sooner rather than later, in one way or another.

[ He doesn't feel like he has to explain that one. ]

[unheiring]

[He certainly does not. The good thing is that it doesn't make Luca feel any worse than he already does. From the moment the realization of what River might have done set in, he knew what the end result would be. Powerful as River was, he was not a match for a god.

At least, not in his current capacity.

It meant that if, when River returned, it would be with significant changes. Injuries. Losses. Luca's heart ached with the thought.]

I will... simply have to be ready for whatever may come.

[He shakes his head, before ultimately settling back down against Joshua's chest.]

Thank you... For coming. For listening. For everything.

[ninelines]

Do people sometimes get lost in between our... teleportations? Is that something that happens?

[unheiring]

Not that I have ever noticed, no. Then again, things were rather strange with the camp, considering that wretched man who arrived at camp the night before we did.

Perhaps he was left behind? If that were the case, he has likely not noticed that we left. He was... rather preoccupied with the lake.

[ninelines]

Sorry, wretched man? I might be missing some context.

Hmm. Has that ever happened before? Someone getting left behind? Something tells me that – I don't know. Would, uh, would the Forest let that happen...?

[unheiring]

Ah, it is... nothing to worry about.

As for your other question, it is... difficult to answer. He enjoys having control over us, and would probably never willingly relinquish that. That being said, the camp was not necessarily his doing, but the skeleton creatures you likely met. It could be vestiges of the other magic, or an attempt to rescue us once again gone awry.

Or, yet another possibility. It has nothing to do with being left behind at all.

[ninelines]

With how strange things were at the camp, it honestly wouldn’t surprise me if someone, somehow, slipped under the radar. That almost sounds like a best case scenario to me – aside from the obvious distance.

On the other hand… well. The forest is pretty big, isn’t it? There is also that new, uh, fancy gateway to the beach. Maybe he’s around, somewhere. There might very well be an explanation for it!

[unheiring]

He would certainly enjoy himself, that much is true. Though I do worry about what would happen, if left to his devices for too long.

But you are right. Even the realm of what is safe is rather vast. Perhaps it is only a matter of time until he turns up. Maybe my fretting here will be the cause of him popping up to laugh shortly.

I certainly hope that will be the case, at least.

[ninelines]

There you go. Nothing in this life is certain, right? Especially not here. I can only imagine what you've all had to endure – I haven't been here all that long – but if there's no concrete evidence pointing to a singular fate... doesn't hurt to hold out some hope, right?

In the meantime, is there anything you might need? It's raining buckets outside, and I think I recall you not being too fond of water.

[unheiring]

You are right.
I am just... familiar with this form of loss rather intimately. I admit that I am a touch gunshy.
Albeit in this case, I suppose I have more reason to be optimistic than not.

[There is a pause, before the writing continues again.]

I appreciate the offer. You are right that I do not relish the rain. Thankfully, I do not want for much in the bar. I have plenty of supplies with which to cook. I think a nice soup should suit me well.

[ninelines]

I get it. And believe me, the last thing I want is to make you feel like you're not feeling that way for a good reason. More just... trying to offer a perspective.

You sure? I really wouldn't mind running something over if you might need it. Wouldn't be my first time that I sprinted through the rain in recent memory.

[unheiring]

It is appreciated. It keeps me from spiraling into unpleasant ideas.
The truth is, I do not know. It could be a great many different things. It... need not be the worst.

[Another pause, longer still.]

Alright then. What is your favorite meal. And are you any good at making it? Since you are so eager to help, that is.

[ninelines]

Oh! That is a fantastic question. I could definitely make it, but I'd have to ask, first, about your opinion on raw seafood.

[unheiring]

Do you mean salt-cured fish? I have had it before. I do not mind it at all.

[ninelines]

The one I'm thinking of isn't actually salt-cured! It's actually lemon-cured. If you're still game, I bet I could scrounge up the stuff needed to make the dish I'm thinking of.

[unheiring]

It is intriguing enough of a concept. I am most certainly interested.

... Just as long as you do not use the lemons with eyeballs.

[ninelines]

Sorry, the what? There's what?

[unheiring]

Ohhh, do not worry about it if you have not come across them.
It will be a pleasant surprise!

[Good job, Lodi, teasing you is bringing Luca even further out of his funk.]

[ninelines]

Forgive me, but that - sounds like the furthest thing from a pleasant surprise. Lemons? With eyes? I'm sorry, everyone here has been very lovely and kind to me, but it is so strange here. Everything is so strange here!

Can I get lemons without the eyes? Lemons, hold the eyes?

[ Mission accomplished! ]

[unheiring]

I mean. I am certain if you asked Heimr, you could!
No one said you could not. I just told you to watch out for the ones that did have them.

[ninelines]

You... had to have known that that would take precedence in my mind over anything else! Oh, man, now I've got the heebie-jeebies. Seriously, why are there lemons with eyes?

[unheiring]

Do you think I would do that? Go out of my way to make you squirm?

As for the why. A young man named Elsword brought them here. His home was... a little odd. He was a little odd. But he was rather well-liked by us folk around here. Certainly enough to forgive his taste in lemons.

[ninelines]

Y'know what, as a matter of fact, I might! Something tells me that you might enjoy the occasional jape!

And they were just cultivated here? I guess that's not that much of a surprise. I'm a little more surprised that they apparently found such... horticultural success, here, to be honest with you.

[unheiring]

There is a chance!

You know, of all things to successfully grow here, an eyeball lemon is the least surprising. Let us be honest here.