[OOC] Folkmore IC Inbox

[pyrighteous]

[ Instead of a welcome message, there's just muffled noises as Hunter tries and fails to get his comm to do what he wants it to do. ]

Comments

[pyrighteous]

[ Yeah, no hiding it now. The guard's expression softens a little. ]

How long has he been gone?

[apuckalypse]

It's... just over six months now, since the world ended. He died sending me into the past.

[He really has come a long way in the time since. Not that long ago he could've been bawling by now, instead of just teary-eyed.]

[pyrighteous]

[ Even so. The guard keeps his voice soft and gentle, sensing the pain just under the surface. ]

I think he'd be glad to see you like this. Safe and surrounded by family.

[apuckalypse]

[It's a kindness offered, and Casey isn't going to shrug it off. It's true, after all.]

I think so, too. [How could he believe otherwise? A longing for his family to have a better life has been on Uncle Mikey's mind for years. He wouldn't have fought as hard as he did if not.] He'd have been so happy to meet everyone, to thank them for... taking care of me. He'd make something delicious for us, too.

[pyrighteous]

Like this meal, huh.

[ He takes another bite, savoring it. ]

Maybe there's a way to meet him someday. You're talking to me, after all.

[apuckalypse]

[Casey's quiet for a long moment at that, sipping at his tea, looking uncertain as he considers the words. It's true that being able to speak with the guard - a ghost, as he'd stated so plainly before - is a strange and amazing experience, opening the door to all kinds of new potential scenarios. For the Hamatos, though... maybe it's too different.]

Maybe, [he finally says, though he still sounds unsure.] The Hamato family can speak with their ancestors, through their powers- their ninpo. Master Michelangelo used to be able to read back and contact the dead. But I'm not... [He looks down.] I'm not one of them, not by blood. I don't have ninpo... I don't have any way of doing that.

[pyrighteous]

[ The guard considers Casey thoughtfully. He believes that, of course - Casey would know best. But. ]

Is there a way to learn? Or get it from Thirteen somehow? Given how much she believes in our potential.

[apuckalypse]

I don't know if Thirteen could do that... maybe. It isn't something that can be learned, though. I've tried my whole life.

[He can't count the number of meditation sessions he'd shared with Master Michelangelo, to no avail. It's why he loved magic so much here- it's something he's dreamed about his whole life, witnessed over and over, but never felt or wielded on his own. It's always been someone else's.]

I heard that they learned it first when April was possessed by their Gram-Gram- she's their human sister, not blood-related either, so she only had ninpo while Karai was inside her. So I guess it'd only work if it was a situation like yours.

[And he's not too inclined towards being possessed, even if that was something he could choose. Maybe, maybe if it worked differently from Hunter's, but...]

[pyrighteous]

[ Fair enough. The guard makes a bit of a face at the comparison - he doesn't want that for Casey either. ]

This situation isn't ideal. Probably best it doesn't happen to you.

[apuckalypse]

Probably...

[He's already said what a mess he'd be if he were the one dealing with all of this, how he could never endure it with the levelheadedness of Hunter. Even if he'd been panicked at first, he'd come around quickly enough that it was admirable. Even if the one possessing Casey was Uncle Mikey... there's no way.]

A-anyway, I'm not the only one who's lost people. My grief isn't special. I just have to work through it, that's all...

[pyrighteous]

[ The guard shrugs just a little as he finishes his plate. ]

Does it have to be special?

[apuckalypse]

Well... I guess not. I just mean that I'm the same as everyone else. Most other people don't get magic or ghost possessions, either.

[pyrighteous]

Right, that's true. Hunter doesn't exactly get a choice.

[ The food's gone, so he just sips gently at the tea. It's ... so nice. It really might have been the best meal he's ever had. ]

This was amazing.

[apuckalypse]

Mm... I'm glad we had some left, and that you got to try it.

[He pauses, then blinks, realization dawning.]

...Oh! We could keep doing this.

[pyrighteous]

[ The guard blinks back at him. ]

What do you mean?

[apuckalypse]

I mean, leftovers! Until the ritual, we can save dinner for you. So you can eat lots of different things!

[He moves to collect the dishes, looking pleased with himself.]

[pyrighteous]

R - really? Hunter won't mind?

[ Hunter absolutely won't mind. ]

[apuckalypse]

Well, of course I'll ask him first. But I'm sure he'll be fine with it.

[Considering the guard won't be able to eat anything after the ritual, letting him eat a bunch of different foods leading up to it feels like a great idea and a kindness besides.]

[pyrighteous]

That ... that would be really nice. Yeah.

[apuckalypse]

Great! I'll ask him in the morning. Want more tea?

[Taking the tray in, gimme your cup buddy.]

[pyrighteous]

-- Yes. Thank you.

[ He holds it out, still vaguely overwhelmed. ]

[apuckalypse]

[One fresh tea coming up! Give him a minute and he'll be back with it. And maybe he's giving the poor guy that minute or so to let it all sink in without drowning in what he's feeling.

Casey's tone is more gentle when he returns, handing the mug over.]

You okay? I know it's a lot, on top of everything else being a lot.

[pyrighteous]

[ He MIGHT just be taking a moment to hyperventilate yes. All Hunters are a little bit the same in that regard. By the time Casey comes back he's a little calmer at least. And the mug helps stabilize him a little more. ]

It's - um - it is a lot. Yeah. Strange how good things are harder than bad things.

[apuckalypse]

[Poor guy. At least this is something Casey can somewhat understand.]

I get it... you get used to bad things happening your whole life, the good ends up suspicious, right? You want to believe it, but you know it's gonna hurt when it's taken away again. Just like always.

[pyrighteous]

[ The guard nods at that. ]

Yeah. What few nice things I had, Belos made sure to destroy completely.