🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘🌑 [ Moon Seance ]

[mooninthewater]

Who: Moon Gang + idk other haters ig-
What: Moon Seance
When: Full Moon (May 23rd)
Where: Yeah-
Warnings: none immediately, but will be in post titles as they appear


[ Perhaps one might notice that Mizuki's started taking public notes in the netbook. He's dedicated a couple of pages to the cycles of the moon, and which moon was appearing in the sky that night, before the moon even rises. On the backside of the page he tries everyday to dot a black page with spots that are probably supposed to be stars. It doesn't seem random, but it's also hard to make out what it might be for initially.

The morning before the full moon, however, Mizuki circles the date. It's not as if it's a rare event or anything like that, happening roughly once a month and all that, but he does want to try to make a note of this. In the journal, on a new page, he writes: ]

It's a good night to contact the moon goddess, if that's something we still wanted to try! I can get some things to set us up. I recommend napping so you can be awake for later tonight!

[ No information beyond that, like a meeting place or anything like that, though it's likely Mizuki doesn't actually know where a good place to meet is. He doesn't know anything about trying to talk to gods that aren't already in your head, after all.

But he'll be outside by the well when night falls all the same, and he'll patiently wait for everyone to gather, too. ]

Comments

[sticksandbonesmods]

As Harque channels the magic and the others call to the moon, it's quiet.

Incredibly quiet. Even the ebb and flow of the tide meeting the shore stops, and the ocean waters still. Any clouds in the sky have vanished, and the moonlight shines brighter than ever. Is it larger? It might be larger.

The light shines so very brightly, and eventually it seems to veil the seance grounds like a curtain of a silvery purple and blue aurora. From the outside, all they can see is the light.

From the inside is a completely different story. Although their bodies are on the beach still, everyone within the circle will find themselves in a white marble room with sheer curtains and many wide windows showing an empty night sky. At the center of the wall of windows is a raised platform with stairs, holding a bed with matching canopies. A familiar woman lays in it, shifting ever so slightly to look at her guests.

"My dear children... I cannot stand right now. But please, come closer. You must have much to say, and I am here to listen and answer."

[oleaeuropaea]

[Vash has been... unusually quiet, this evening. While he's stepped into the circle, his eyes continue to dart toward the lighthouse. Unconsciously, he shifts so that his back is to it, shoulders as broad as they'll go despite his newly narrowed form. His new wings are fanned out to broaden his silhouette all the more.

If the worst should happen, then let him be the first victim. There isn't much more that can be done to him, after all.

But that facade drops the moment the world shifts around them. He knows Ourania's vague appears by her statues, but he still can't be certain about the woman in the bed. It's only once she speaks that he moves forward. He takes a few uncertain steps, before sinking beside her bed.]

You protected me, yeah? Can't... thank you enough for it. I was able to go home to the people that mattered because of you. [One deep, quivering breath.] If there's anything that I can do for you...

[selenokinesis]

[Harque is channelling, so he's a little spaced out when they enter, but rest assured his dead ass has Never Seen God Before and so he just starts fucking crying.

He's fine, let him do this, he is very small.

It's taking most of his focus to maintain the connection, of course, but during a small fluctuation all he says is,]

Thank you for allowing my companions to speak with you, My Lady.

[He'd like to say more, but... he's in the brainzone right now. Is he glowing from magic, he's probably glowing, Elrians glow for some fucking reason they're like flashlights.]

[mooninthewater]

[ Mizuki doesn't immediately want to say anything, actually. It's not as though he doesn't have a million questions, or want to hear Ourania's stories, or ask her what she thinks her best PB in Rainbow Road on Mario Kart would be, but he feels weird talking about it when people are so emotional. It was like this at his Church, too. Everyone so uhh... sssad? Overjoyed? People cried a lot. He didn't know what it meant. You know, cult shit. Should he be emotional, too? He just feels embarrassed and silly and out of place.

He's not used to talking to a god that's not in his head. Wait. Hold on. Can he talk to her in his head? He hasn't tried. Should he try???? Aaaaaa--- ]

I'm sorry I ate your rock. [ Nailed it. ]

[sticksandbonesmods]

Ourania lets them all speak a little, quietly observing each one before her eyes settle on an empty spot in the back.

"I must ask my clever starlight to not hide himself, if he is going to enter my abode as well."

Called the fuck out, Josh.

And then she begins. She runs a hand through Vash's hair- and her touch eases any pains he may have- with a soft smile.

"You asked, so I came. Would that I could have done more. But if it's a boon you offer, than I shall ask once more: have you no mercy for yourself, Sunflower? Perhaps you should."

Translation: please be nice to yourself and love yourself the way you love others. And then Harque, who she cannot reach because he is busy being the conduit. A cool breeze blows around him instead.

"I should be the one thanking you for holding the burden of channeling this meeting. ... I warn you, you will have a terrible headache at best, body aches at worst, after this. I'll recommend you head to your bathhouse and soak after this, before you rest."

And then to Mizuki... Mizuki she's a bit less dignified for because he is being very silly. She gently squeezes his cheeks before ruffling his hair- once again, any pains he has will abate.

"It's unconventional, but you would not be the first. The Cosmic Serpant, for instance, would not be what it was without doing as you've done. No apologies. Just learn the power you have taken, and use it well."

[leggierissimo]

Ah. Called out, indeed. While he can hide himself from everyone else, hiding himself from Ourania was never on his list of expectations. His perch has "disappeared" anyway, with the room taking place of their surroundings, so Joshua has already settled his feet on the ground beside Ourania's bed. It takes no effort to reveal himself, the air shimmering around him as he appears from it.

"Can't hide from you, I see," he lilts, hand lifting in an elegant gesture that mimics a shrug. When it settles down again, it's on the top of a brown leather pouch hanging at his hip, a pouch which seems to be oddly lumpy. "I can't say I'd expected you to be bedridden, though."

[selenokinesis]

[Harque like "who is this fucking man" hello Josh? It's fine he doesn't have the energy to focus on Josh specifically.]

My health at the best of times suffers. A mere headache will do nothing to me; I've already lived the worst.

[He's glad that he took on this burden, at least, that way no one else has to deal with it.]

[sticksandbonesmods]

She offers an amused smile, like a mother would her playful son, before sighing a bit.

"The ritual that cast your souls to safety took its toll on me. It has rendered me gravely ill. You are, frankly, lucky to have caught me on a night where I am myself."

[mooninthewater]

[ Mizuki nods, and then simply waits after that. For what? He isn’t sure. He listens. He absorbs. He… is nervous. He’s doing his best to keep the camouflaged tendrils to himself because it’s not a very big space comparatively and everyone is very close to him, so he just ends up twisting and worrying at his umbrella.

Her defects are showing.
We could fix that.
Too attached to things that aren’t hers.
Like the rest.
Shameful for a god.

Well, he’s not sure he agrees with all that. She’s helped people here already. She’s hurting. She’s been hurting for a long time, though, right? He’s seen that change people.

…

He waits for a lull, however brief, and then: ]

Are you… a good person?

[sticksandbonesmods]

Ourania looks over at him, thoughtful.

"I don't believe that is my place to say, though I do try. But the standards for gods and mortals are very different, Many Moons. It is by our followers that we are remembered- though ours have died out long ago. ... The followers of the Silver Moon, however, I believe were kind. They were healers, primarily, and turned away no one."

[oleaeuropaea]

Sorry... old habits die hard. [ah... He squeezes his eyes shut, basking in the motherly attention. He lets others take their turn, content to just BE in the moment, and in her presence...

But something pings at the back of his mind. He waits until a lull in the conversation, then-]

The man in the lighthouse. He still needs help. Is there... anything that can be done for him? Even now?

[He is, once again, ignoring himself. Oopsies.]

[purevanillacookie]

Pure Vanilla will wait until the very end, until everyone has gotten their desire to talk to Ourania out. Asked their questions, given Her their blessings and well wishes. Offers of aid. Only when everyone has fallen silent, and he can sense their time is nearing the end, does he speak up.

"I have a gift for you, My Lady. Please, accept it with my love and desire to see you strong again."

Reaching into his bag, he pulls his Souljam out. It glows with it's own inner light, a brilliant powerful life. It is nothing but, after all. Life of a God, gathered and gifted. It's Him and He's It, but if he cannot use it to help, he does not want it. It slowly lifts from his hand, the lines he drew on it darkening in pulses, like the beat of a heart.

When it finally shatters, he somehow manages to hide the indescribable pain of it from his face, though the tremble of his fingers speaks volumes. It's like if the very identity of himself has fractured, something deep inside irreparably broken. The cracks grow in pulses, until finally the middle globe splits off. The rest of the Jam returns to his hand, and his fingers curl around the pieces like a lifeline, while the blue globe disintegrates into sparkles of light to circle Ourania before drifting into her.

Life. Power. Energy. The Gift of a God, given to him, and in return, given back to a God.

Pure Vanilla's voice shakes as he bows his head, curling the hand with the pieces to his chest, over his heart. "I hope it aids you."

[sticksandbonesmods]

Ourania watches with a muted curiosity, at first.

And then he breaks his heart, his soul, his being. ...For her.

It breaks, and so does hers with a soft gasp. She moves to gently take one of his hands in hers, cold and comforting, and lets her magic ease the pain.

"... This will help greatly, my dear, dear Sweet Sun. But it will not fix my illness, I must warn you. Nor will it help the ever shifting night sky. I am sorry. I will use it well. I promise."

[purevanillacookie]

The pain easing away is greatly appreciated, though it does nothing to rid that deep ache inside. The loss of a piece of him. But it stops the tremble of his fingers, and he sighs softly, offering her a smile in return. He squeezes her hand gently.

Perhaps he should be more... like a man meeting a God, than a Healer meeting someone ill. Offering his own comfort in return. But there's frankly no other way he knows how to be.

"As long as it aids even a small amount, My Lady, then it is worth it, and I am glad."

He hesitates a little, looking upwards with his eyes, thoughtful. It's bizarre to see a "physical" realm around him, knowing what he's seeing is the Truth of her Domain. Josh's question on her being bed ridden.

"My Lady... are you corrupted?"

[sticksandbonesmods]

Corrupted? No. There is no trace of the False Sun's touch. Instead, however, there is a mark on her chest.

Not a mark.

A rift.

Though it is held close currently, Pure Vanilla knows: This is a rift between worlds. It looks like gash that refuses to heal, except instead of blood and flesh, it is void between universes that shines beneath.

"No, my darling. Would that it could be so simple. ... Centuries ago, when your little lion and your snapdragon tried to save the souls of their people, they needed a conduit to become the portal. The chose the moon. ... They had no way of knowing that I was alive, and that it would do me harm."

Ourania's voice is soft as she speaks, but parts of the room turn red or black, and other voices that sound both like and entirely unlike her hiss-

No excuse. They knew of my statue. They knew of me.

They would have killed us to escape and it didn't even WORK-

Mortals should know their place.

All with moon magic will be able to tell that this is other moons, all connected to the goddess but not this world's moon herself. Ourania frowns and sighs, shaking her head.

"The rift cannot be closed by us. The mortals who cast it must close it- your former leaders or yourselves. But it will come at a cost."

[purevanillacookie]

Oh. Pure Vanilla knows those hisses. It's not unlike the way Shadow Moon hissed to him, may still keep trying now even with the Souljam broken. Anger. Anger and pain corrupt deeper than anything ever could. Different voices of different Moons, mixed together in their shared pain and anger. He Looks and he Sees and he Hears, most importantly.

Her. Not Her.

How many worlds. How many Moons? All linked together through Ourania, Her worlds souls scattered through Her to other places.

He inhales sharply and exhales gently, closing his eyes briefly to escape what he sees. It's almost like looking upon the Dark Side of the Moon, the very place he drifted for far too long. It might even very well be that. The place between places.

Also to block out the Black and Red.

When he opens his eyes again, he's re-centered himself and he squeezes her hand.

"What would be the cost, My Lady?"

It's not incredibly difficult to imagine what such a Cost would be. To close a Rift between worlds, to save a God injured so.

near the end

[winterfrosting]

Things are winding down, and thankfully no attacks have happened (yet??? Cacao is paranoid enough to still not feel completely safe) so Cacao takes a moment to check on the others. Especially knowing what Vanilla was going to do.

Don't mind him peaking his head in the circle, squinting as the light he was seeing changes to the bedroom.

"Is... everything well?"

He was getting worried.

[purevanillacookie]

The sudden Cacao head startles Pure Vanilla for a moment, and he opens his mouth to ask if everything is all right - only to get preempted by Cacao asking the very same thing.

Affection fills him like a sudden rushing river, and the ache of the new void in him fills with it, eases away. Usually he keeps moments of love private, but right now, he doesn't care who sees it as he moves over to lightly touch Cacao's face with his hand, shifting up the best he can on his hooves to press a kiss to his cheek.

"Everything is all right, my heart. We are almost finished, I believe. We have learned much. Is everything all right out there?"

[winterfrosting]

Oh, a kiss. In public. He blushes but doesn't move away.

"Nothing has changed. Our foes, if they are moving, are not being so overt."

He looks down toward Vanilla's chest where he usually wears his Jam.

[purevanillacookie]

The spot is empty, the Souljam tucked away inside the bag at his hip. He doesn't want Cacao seeing it just yet.

"That is good to hear. I'm hoping what we have done here tonight will give our enemy pause to reconsider....

Ah, my love, you being just a floating head is very disconcerting."

[winterfrosting]

"Hm?" He looks down and startles. Oh, that IS strange. He glances back behind him, past the veil, always vigilant... before stepping fully into the 'room'.

"Better?"

[sticksandbonesmods]

Ourania is reclining a bit more at this point- as tiring as the more draining aspects of tonight's talks have been, she still loves having guests but it's immensely exhausting. She still smiles warmly, despite her exhaustion showing.

"My bitter moon. Welcome. We've had some enlightening talks."

[winterfrosting]

He steps in more fully and bows. It's surreal to see her in a physical form, but he knows instantly who she is from her voice.

"Thank you for giving your time, My Lady."

...Oreo sticks his nose in as well, snuffling.

[sticksandbonesmods]

"--!!"

Wait, hold on, hello? Is that- it is! What tiredness? What grace? She's just beaming. ... Maybe literally.

"Ohh, a baby! Hello, darling!"

[winterfrosting]

Cacao opens his mouth to get onto the puppy... but after that excited reaction he doesn't have the heart.

"Be gentle." He says to the puppy, who takes that as the go ahead to come fully in, sniffing around excitedly and trotting right up to the bed. Cacao looks... quite embarrassed.

"Forgive him, he is... still learning."